CITY residents can now rebuild Worcester’s lost past brick by brick through the virtual world of computer gaming.
Following a £6,700 National Lottery grant and £2,000 funding from The Hive, a new project being led by the University of Worcester’s Infirmary exhibition will allow residents to use virtual computer game Minecraft or LEGO to rebuild some of the city’s historic buildings.
Using plans, images and records available from Worcestershire Archives and Archaeology Service, ‘Virtually Rebuilding Worcestershire’s Lost Buildings’ could see historic landmarks including the former Worcester Gaol and Powick Hospital or Worcester City and County Pauper Lunatic Asylum as it was known, brought back to virtual life.
They can also create current buildings like The Hive and once created, players can take a walk through the venues.
Expert Minecraft players, who study computer games design and development at the University of Worcester, will host the free sessions every Tuesday until July 4.
Mark Macleod, head of The Infirmary, said: “We’ve long wished to recreate Worcester’s Victorian Gaol because it was very influential to the former Worcester Infirmary.
“I like the idea that recreating lost buildings in Minecraft will help people visualise how they once looked.”
Laura Worsfold, Hive business development manager, said: “Minecraft is great for developing creativity, being innovative and teaching real-life skills.
“The game is popular with young people and we’ve already been asked for plans so our own building can be represented.
“The focus on bringing Worcestershire’s heritage to life in a very modern medium will be very exciting to see.”
The sessions run from 4.30pm to 6.30pm.
Visit www.bit.ly/TheInfirmaryTickets for more information.
