A BID to preserve the Worcester Soldier’s story for future generations has been boosted with £243,200 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The Mercian Regiment Museum (Worcestershire) has secured the sum to develop the Worcestershire Soldier at The Commandery.
In partnership with Museums Worcestershire and the Worcestershire Yeomanry Trust, the project aims to relocate the gallery from the Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum to The Commandery.
The historic building tells the story of Worcester’s role in the English Civil War. It links together a history of soldiers from the city and county over four centuries.
Bringing The Worcester Soldier’s story into the ground floor of The Commandery will place this important regional history right next to the Cathedral in Worcester’s heritage quarter.
It will also provide the opportunity to update and contextualise The Worcestershire Soldier story.
The cash will help the museum and its partners progress to apply for a full grant next summer.
The Mercian Regiment Museum houses more than 20,000 objects which tell the story of one of Britain’s oldest infantry regiments.
It has fought in all major conflicts from its founding in 1694 until the withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2014.
The new exhibition with an emphasis on enhanced storytelling, more opportunities for volunteering and lifelong learning and community engagement.
It will focus on attracting more general and school visitors to The Commandery and the Worcestershire Soldier story.
The Worcestershire Soldier gallery will offer a place where local communities can learn about the experiences of war and conflict.
Its hoped it will provide a space where people from different backgrounds and traditions can learn through engaging with objects and collections about a fundamental and universal shared experience that knows no international boundaries.
Dr John Paddock, curator of the Mercian Regiment Museum, said:
“We are absolutely delighted that we’ve received this support thanks to National Lottery players.
“The Worcestershire Soldier will cast fresh light on the lives, achievements, tragedies, and triumphs of the generations who preceded us and to whom we owe so much.
“Uniting the Worcestershire Soldier with the Commandery is an inspiring project. It is great to know we are a step closer to preserving the museum of another generation.”
Robyn Llewellyn, director, England, Midlands and East at the National Lottery Heritage Fund said:
“We are delighted to support The Mercian Regiment Museum with their ambitious plans to relocate The Worcestershire Soldier Gallery to The Commandery.
“By bringing these histories together the project aims to create new opportunities to engage communities with heritage and spark meaningful dialogue.”
