Dear Editor

On April 1 an article in your newspaper proposed that historic place names in Worcester be altered. Although this was intended as an “April Fool” type joke – there is a serious side.

How many Worcester residents are aware of why “The Butts” is so-named? What of other local place names such as “Ronkswood”, “Diglis” or “Pitchcroft”? 

On a recent visit to Tewkesbury we were interested to see that there were information boards placed at strategic points to explain historical incidents and local industries etc. Would it not be prudent for our council to create similar boards in Worcester?

Surely this would add interest for tourists (and serve to educate locals)? For example, a board outside our great cathedral could explain that Henry V111’s younger brother Prince Arthur is buried there and how important King John (who’s tomb is inside) and the Magna Carta are to our democracy.

For the past 60 years developers have managed to make a mess of our great cities in the name of “progress”, destroying greenbelt, trees and beautiful old buildings in the relentless march towards concrete heaven. 

In the 1990’s governments deemed that university education should be available for all – thus fuelling the need for cheap and seemingly endless student accommodation.

But at what cost to the city centres that we inherited? The once bustling old streets are now inhabited predominantly by charity shops, barbers, nail bars and students who are in most cases just passing through....

Is it our place to destroy and damage the legacy that we were left by our forebears? Or should we try to preserve what is left for future generations to enjoy and indeed learn from?

 

John and Julie Reynolds
St Johns, Worcester