Half-century of shared memories go on show

The exhibition was organised by the town's Civic Society and called Then and Now: The Parish and the Nation, in honour of the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

The first two stands were devoted to the Queen's reign, with original newspapers documenting her accession to the throne in 1952 and pictures, quotes and clipping spanning the 50 years.

Then it was the turn of the nation itself, with documents and statistics showing how life has changed over the period with examples such as old coins and a loaf scale from what was then Pierce's Bakery.

The remaining 26 stands were all devoted to memories of Upton, including memorabilia documenting the life of Newbridge resident Flo Bramford. Her position as lady's maid to the ladies-in-waiting to the Queen, the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret meant she was given gifts by foreign rulers from all over the world. These included an embroidered courtier's woollen coat from the Wali of Swat, now part of India.

Professor Peter Pumfrey, one of the exhibition organisers, said he was grateful to Margaret Bramford, Flo's niece, for allowing them to used the artefacts.

The exhibition also included records of Upton dating back to Saxon literature of 925AD, oral reminiscences of old Uptonians and pictures of how the Queen's Silver Jubilee was celebrated in the town, which included the dress made for the Jubilee Princess of the day.

"The best thing of all is the collective that this represents," said Prof Pumfrey. "This is not just the Civic Society, it's the whole community of the town."

Brian and Pat Dearing, who have been coming to Upton from Merseyside for their holidays for 22 years, said the exhibition reminded them of quieter days, when the town did not have so much traffic.

"It's really good," said Mrs Deary.

For stories and pictures from all the jubilee celebrations around Malvern, see Friday's Malvern Gazette & Lebdury Reporter.