A short history of how the poor have been cared for in Worcester since 1559 has been released.

The 12-page leaflet from Worcester Municipal Charities (WMC) delves into the organisation's past, tracing its beginnings all the way up to the present day.

It can be yours for just £1 from the WMC office or £2 by post.

Kateryn Heywood, a member of the Berkeley family from Spetchley Park and Berkeley Castle, holds the distinction of being the first donor to the St. Thomas’s Day Charity, gifting 100 marks, equivalent to £66, which was used to purchase 19 properties held in trust for the poor.

The income from the properties, amounting to £260 annually, was distributed to 2,600 beneficiaries in the form of a 'dole queue' outside the Guildhall on December 21st, coinciding with the winter solstice.

It was not an uncommon sight to see people queuing more than once, eager to receive their two-shilling dole.

This tradition lasted until 1867 when the charity's trustees decided to end what they considered an "objectionable system".

Tudor times saw Worcester thrive mainly due to the cloth and clothing industry - the city's primary economy, with the high quality of the 'Worcesters', a broad loom cloth, boosting the city’s prosperity and population, which nearly doubled to 8,300 by 1646.

The leaflet also delves into the wide-ranging effects of the textile industry on the local workforce.

During Queen Elizabeth I's visit to Worcester in 1575, she discovered that there were nearly 380 home-based looms.

This thriving industry supported about 8,000 men and their families, offering opportunities to weavers, walkers, and clothiers.

After her visit, the industry was granted an official Charter.

Since Heywood's initial donation, 30 more philanthropic gestures were made by wealthy locals to the Worcester Charities between 1559 and 1800.

Today, these donations would be worth millions of pounds and have led to the creation of numerous almshouses.

For more information about this fascinating history, snap up a copy of the leaflet to unveil the intriguing story of charity and community through the centuries.