IT’S a “dream come true” for local historians now the History and Heritage Pod has finally opened in Worcester’s Crowngate, according to one of the guardians of the city’s heritage.
Phil Douce, chairman of Worcester Civic Society, was speaking at the launch of the hub, which will see many thousands of historic cuttings files and photographic negatives available to the public for the first time.
They were saved by the Society when Worcester News downsized its headquarters when it moved from Hylton Road to Redhill last year.
The Pod is a joint initiative between the Civic Society and the shopping centre management and Mr Douce said: “I have been after a centre where the public have access to the history and heritage of Worcester, which is free and available, for more than six years without any success.
Now this is a dream come true. It is available to all the various societies in Worcester to use and a place where they can meet, which again is free.
“Crowngate have exceeded themselves in providing more that I expected.
“No only do we have the Pod itself but there is a fully functioning kitchen and toilets and we have an area down in the basement to store all our archives.
“I just hope all societies and the general public make full use of this wonderful facility.”
Crowngate manager Mike Lloyd, who was born and brought up in Worcester, added: “I am delighted that we have managed to get the History and Heritage Pod open as it has been my wish for some time to have a history / heritage centre in the city.
“It will be available every day to allow the public access to the various displays which will change on a regular basis.”
The Pod was officially opened by Civic Society president David Birtwhistle, who said it will be extremely useful to have a place where local societies can work together.
The History and Heritage Pod in Crowngate, Worcester, will be free and open every day during the centre’s normal shopping hours.
It is situated near the pedestrian access to the multi-storey park and the Iceland store.
For more details on using it and accessing historic files,contact: info@worcestercivicsociety.com
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