Creative Midlands Heritage

Video posted by Matt Dobson
Ironbridge Gorge Museums to host the Ironbridge Lecture
Worcester’s Riverside revamp set to head north
Substation, Keelings Road, Hanley, SoT

Posted: 06 Dec 2011 02:28 AM PST

Video posted by Matt Dobson

Bull Ring proposals - Central TV report - 1990

Central TV report from 1990 on the then proposals to replace the Bull Ring and demolish the Rotunda

Ironbridge Gorge Museums to host the Ironbridge Lecture

Posted: 18 Nov 2011 07:51 AM PST

Tuesday, 6th December

The prestigious Ironbridge Lecture will once again be hosted by the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust on Tuesday, 6th December in the Engine Shop at Enginuity in Coalbrookdale. The annual lecture, held in partnership with the University of Birmingham, will be delivered by the University's Professor of Community History and Director of the BirminghamLives project, Professor Carl Chinn MBE.

A passionate and proud Brummie and West Midlander, Professor Chinn is a renowned social historian, newspaper columnist, public speaker, writer and campaigner for the rights of working-class people and the recognition of the importance of manufacturing. He is the author of 29 books that focus upon the history of Birmingham, the Black Country, and urban working class life in England between 1850 and 1960.

Steve Miller, Chief Executive of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, commented: "The Ironbridge Lecture is always a high point in the Museum's year, we are all very excited to be able to welcome such an eminent and entertaining speaker as Professor Carl Chinn MBE, especially in 2011 as we celebrate 25 years since the inscription of the Ironbridge Gorge as one of the UK's first World Heritage Sites."

With his lecture entitled 'West Midlands: the Workshop of the World, c. 1750-1950' Professor Chinn will follow in the footsteps of a long line of celebrated speakers including Gaye Blake-Roberts, Director of the Wedgwood Museum and popular historian Adam Hart-Davis. The Ironbridge Lecture was first established in 1986 as an annual public University lecture which aims to raise the profile of the work of the Ironbridge Institute and the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust whilst providing an opportunity for discussion of key current issues in the fields of heritage, industrial archaeology or related areas.

All are welcome to come and enjoy this free lecture. Tea and coffee will be served from 5.30pm in the Covered Bays adjacent to Enginuity with the lecture starting in Enginuity at 6pm. For more information visit: http://www.ironbridge.org.uk/

Worcester’s Riverside revamp set to head north

Posted: 30 Nov 2011 11:35 PM PST

The revamp of Worcester's Riverside – already a popular success between South Quays and Diglis – is set to spread to the area north of Sabrina Bridge.

New paving, lighting and other features have turned the Riverside path into a fantastic destination for walkers and cyclists – with 97% of people who use it saying they would recommend it to friends and family, according to a recent survey.

Now City Councillors look set to back further recommendations on the stretch from Sabrina Bridge up to Gheluvelt Park, taking in the route around Pitchcroft.

A report to the Cabinet meeting on 6 December calls for £210,000 to be spent on improvements in that area.

Sections of the paths on either side of the river in this spot are currently poorly defined, and the intention is to improve surfacing and signage so that it can be easily used by walkers and cyclists.

In the west side, there will be new signage and resurfacing of the path between the end of the flood bund and the Ferry Bank Steps, plus some stabilisation work to the river bank. The steps will be upgraded and have a new entrance arch and railings installed.

Over on the east, in addition to resurfacing work there will be improved access down to the moorings at Sabrina Bridge, plus the creation of a new retaining wall behind the racecourse changing rooms. Enhancements will also be made to the public access to Pitchcroft, with improved and more clearly defined routes through and around the racecourse.

Councillor Simon Geraghty, Leader of Worcester City Council, said: "The improvements to the Riverside are already proving to be a big hit with Worcester people and tourists, so we're keen to see the benefits extended to the north of the city. These proposals will open up even more of our beautiful riverside for walking and cycling."

The proposals come just a few weeks after a survey showed how popular the revamped path from South Quays to Diglis has become.

87 per cent of people surveyed said the area had improved and 97 per cent say they would recommend it to their friends – in fact, many said they already had.

Over 100 users of the path took part in the survey, which was commissioned by Worcester City Council.

88 per cent approved of the new development, with 84 per cent saying the investment in the Riverside had been worthwhile.

Substation, Keelings Road, Hanley, SoT

Posted: 05 Dec 2011 07:43 AM PST

An interesting little building, especially the doorway and "insulator" embellishments.