THE search is on for descendants of a man who was Mayor of Worcester almost a century ago - Alderman J S Cook whose portrait hangs just inside the main entrance of the Guildhall.

He lived from 1856 to 1927 and owned a printing and stationery business in Foregate Street, Worcester.

He was a leading figure on the city council for a long period, primarily as chairman of the general purposes committee, in which role he was largely responsible for developing open spaces into parks, such as Gheluvelt and Cripplegate.

Alderman Cook was High Sheriff of the city in 1902, Mayor the following year, chairman of the city magistrates for a time, and was made a Freeman of Worcester in 1914.

Now, many decades on, a grandson of this local worthy is desperately trying to trace any blood relatives who may live in the Worcester area.

He is Edwin Cook, managing director of an electronics company at Tipton, West Midlands, who writes explaining:

"One of the alderman's sons, Horace Alfred Cook was my father. He was a sub-organist of Worcester Cathedral during and after the First World War and married Nellie Louisa Nicholls, a butcher's daughter of Comer Road, St John's. Worcester."

Horace Cook was much involved in local life as a musician and sportsman, being piano accompanist at glee nights and charity concerts and helping form the Reliance Cricket Club.

At the time, Alderman Cook's family home was at Boughton House on Worcester's Westside but, for some reason unknown to Edwin Cook, there was "a terrible row" between his grandfather and father in 1922, as a result of which Horace Alfred Cook was disowned by the family and moved to Birmingham.

He set up home with his wife at Small Heath and died at Birmingham, in 1964, 11 years after his wife's death.

Edwin Cook says Alderman Cook had several children, though at least one son (Capt Ernest Cook) was killed in the First World War.

Edwin, now 64, would dearly like to hear from anyone who may be descended from Alderman Cook, or in any other way related. Please first contact me at the Evening News.

* Another appeal to Memory Lane readers comes from Larry Walsh of Middleton, Manchester, who wants to find Walter Mason, who he last heard of living in Worcester.

The two were chums when they served together in the Royal Army Pay Corps and were stationed at the Droitwich Pay Office in 1947.

Larry sends a photograph from the time - below - showing him third from the left in the back row with his arm on the shoulder of Walter Mason, fourth from the left.

* Seeking the help of readers too, is George Cummings of Hardwicke Close, St John's, Worcester, who is secretary of the Kay's Bowling Club.

What he dearly wants to discover is precisely when the bowling green at the Cinderella Ground in Bransford Road, was first opened.

His inquiries have so far failed to produce a date, though he understands it was at least 75 years ago. Can anyone answer his plea?