Newsletter – November 2016

November 8th, 2016 by JCope

The cathedral city of Worcester was the first Georgian City to be built in England, predating both Cheltenham and Leamington. This was the claim made by our speaker this month Sandy Cale in her presentation entitled ‘Elegant Georgian Worcester’.

Little remains of Worcester prior to the 1660s as much of it was burned down by Oliver Cromwell after the defeat of Charles II at the battle of Worcester in 1651. From this low point the city was gradually rebuilt. Initially the buildings were in the black and white timbered style of which a few examples still exist today despite city planners. However, with the increased prosperity brought by industries such as porcelain manufacture and glove making the fine brick built Georgian buildings we now see gradually rose. Georgian Worcester as we know it today is characterised by such buildings at the Guild Hall built in 1722 by Thomas White which Pevsner described as probably the finest Baroque Town Hall in England.

Guild Hall, Worcester

Guild Hall, Worcester

The Hagley Archives Group has recently published a short book entitled ‘Middlefield Lane, Hagley – A Short History. The idea for this new publication was originally developed by the late Dr Peter Bloore who lived in Middlefield Lane. The Group decided that they would continue his research with the aim publishing a summary of his work along with contributions from past and present residents of the Lane. This illustrated book is available from Happy Families.

Our next meeting at St Saviour’s Church Hall is on Tuesday 3rd January 2017. There will be a presentation by Madeline Goold entitled ‘The Helm family of Worcester: a Dynasty of Dancing Masters’. Dancing Masters in Georgian times were very influential socially as they dictated the styles and etiquette of the day. Madeline is a NADFAS speaker, author and accomplished sculptor who lives in Hagley.

Visitors are most welcome at all our events – see Home page for details and contacts.

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