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CIVIC NEWS

151st NEWSLETTER

of the

DROITWICH SPA CIVIC SOCIETY

‘working for a better town’

SUMMER 2014

Union Lane - A new brown field site in the centre of Droitwich.

See pages 4,5 & 6 for more details.

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DROITWICH SPA CIVIC SOCIETY Founded 1974

Charity Reg. No. 503272

President: Stuart Haywood 01905 770553

Officers:

Chairman George Leech 01905 770770

Hon Treasurer Fred Randall 01905 455424

Hon Secretary Helen Prew 01905 773166

Committee Members:

Chris Bowers 01905 776870

Jennifer Carter 01905 827154

Paul Chandler 07710 438097

Patrick Davis 01905 772299

Sian Griffiths 01905 799211

Mike Hayzelden 01905 456439

Frank Hazzard 01905 778755

Beth Lilley 01905 770421

Roger Peberdy 01905 772847

Richard Taylor 01905 779688

Don Walters 01905 774589

Bryan Woolley 01905 798099

Website: www.droitwichspa.com (click on Header ‘Civic Society’)

The Droitwich Spa Civic Society was founded in 1974,

as a response to the rapid development of the town.

The Civic Society provides a meeting place for all with an interest

in the enhancement and preservation of Droitwich Spa,

as a town with a unique heritage and facilities

in which to live, to work and to find a stimulating environment.

DROITWICH SPA CIVIC SOCIETY

cares what happens in and around Droitwich Spa

- By stimulating public interest in the town of

Droitwich Spa and the surrounding area.

- By promoting high environmental standards in this same area.

- By securing the preservation, protection, development and improvement

of features of historic and public interest in this same area.

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Foreword

CIVIC NEWS

SUMMER 2014

After a very wet Winter we seem to be having a very warm and mostly dry Summer. The sunshine has been present for the very successful visits to Tewkesbury, for the guided tour of the town and Abbey, the visit to Churchfields and High View Gardens. Our thanks goes to Helen Prew for her hard work in arranging them.

In July, some forty members dined at the Pear Tree, Smite in celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the Society. Good food and a friendly atmosphere contributed to an enjoyable evening.

Raven Hotel.

Councillor Bob Brookes, Mayor of Droitwich, arranged an open meeting at St Richard's House to discuss the amended plans. The meeting was well attended and strong opinions were presented. On behalf of the Society, I made several points, regarding the extra housing, lack of parking for the residents and none for the staff at the prospective 160 seat restaurant and also concern over the narrow passageway between the site and St Andrews Street

Although this meeting and subsequent meeting to view the revised plans, were advertised in the Droitwich Reporter and Standard, many did not see this nor the notice on the board outside W H Smith, which was partly hidden by the frame. In consequence many people missed the opportunity to view them and comment.

Yew Tree Hill Development.

The Inspector has reported in favour of the development much to the disappointment of many.

We now realise the battle to stop the development on Yew Tree Hill was effectively lost four years ago, when Wychavon and its partner authorities did not complete the development plan for the upcoming planning period. Consequently, there was no effective counter argument of sufficient better alternative sites to meet additional needs to the developers opportunistic proposals for Yew Tree Hill and now perhaps, Salwarpe Lane.

Though disheartened, we must do our best to minimise the disadvantages (e.g. impact on green belt to the south of the town) and think about ways

in which the new estates can be more fully integrated into the town.

Cop Cut Development.

The planning has already been approved for this site which, together with the Yew Tree Hill Development, will cause further traffic congestion on the A38, which seems to have been totally ignored by the WCC Highways Department.

Blake Avenue.

Objections have been submitted by the Residents Association to the plans with suggested changes for the betterment of the site.

Chawson Lane.

A speculative pre-planning consultation has been announced (see www.gva.co.uk/chawsonlane for the details and an opportunity to make your comments). This is development of 100+ houses is not required. The road access is totally unsuitable for the site unless it is via the Cop Cut development?

There are several sites suitable for development to the North of the Town which would be more inclusive and beneficial.

St. Andrew’s Brine Baths.

Proposals are being made to install a CT and a MIR scanner in the former bath building. Notice of a planning application has been posted on the site.

Union Lane Redevelopment Site.

A small team of members has been developing proposals for the area of land currently occupied by the Baxenden Chemical works. These buildings are soon to be demolished and the site cleansed to make it ready for future redevelopment. The Civic Society has been asked by the Town Council to make detailed proposals for the site and more information follows on pages 3,4 and 5.

I hope to see as many of you as possible at the next meeting at 7.30pm on the 16th September 2014, at St Richard's House, when I hope to update you on any progress to the above planning items.

George Leech,

Chairman

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Union Lane Redevelopment Site Proposals (Including North St and the Railway Station)

CIVIC NEWS

SUMMER 2014

A small group of committee members is investigating proposals for the redevelopment of the Union Lane area, as an opportunity has now been made available with the closure of the Baxenden Chemical Works. Ideas are being prepared for the Town Council and are to be presented in due course for consideration.

The current ideas are based on the lack of interest in commercial property (evidence Medals site, change of commercial to housing). They include a reappraisal of the proposals for the Canal Basin and Bays Meadow. Future options remain, however, for introducing the large commercial office space that would so boost the economy of Droitwich.

Site Character: The area being considered has two distinct characters, the first the old coal yard adjacent to the

railway, sloping down from the station to the canal side; second, that of the upper plateau currently occupied by Baxenden, up to and including North St. These are treated as at least two separate sites, with the intention of creating two distinct development types.

Coal Yard Site: The former coal yard has a gentle grade and an existing roadway slope up to Union Lane,

adjacent to the station. At this point the site ground level by the tracks is 4m below that of the road. At the north end the site meets Hampton Rd at the bridge junction with the Kidderminster Rd, beside the boxing club site. A road link will open up this site for development.

Coal Yard Way: A new road is made from the station/Union Lane alongside the railway line, to Kidderminster/Hampton Road. It becomes the principle route.

Development: It is all hard against the railway boundary of 3 or more storeys forming a noise barrier against railway for the rest of the site. Principle frontages are thus onto the new road. The site opens out at the Hampton Rd end and two sub areas introduced by the canal (including the former boxing club) and behind existing housing.

Landmark Building: Adjacent to the old station road bridge, the potential development site is wide (30m approx), suitable for a large deep plan commercial office development.

Parking: The levels difference is greatest between the road (crown of the bridge) and ground level, beside the rail tracks. This could provide 2 levels of car parking below the office block developments, possibly 80 cars on each floor. Some of this could be dedicated for an extension of the station parking, with access at the base end of the ramped roadway

Station and Parking Access: The existing weighbridge building becomes the frontage for public access to the station parking below. There is space below the old station bridge for a direct, level access to the main platform (that with the booking office) from the car park level.

Flat/Apartment Developments: Where offices are no longer feasible, development of shallow single aspect apartments would be possible, again with parking below, taking advantage of the coal yard embankment, down which rail wagons tipped the coal into staithes.

View over Coal Yard toward Baxenden Chemical Works

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Union Lane Redevelopment Site Proposals (Including North St and the Railway Station)

CIVIC NEWS

SUMMER 2014

Union Lane Site: The road runs parallel to and level with North St. dropping steeply to Hampton Road. The

site is level with excellent views to the north. So as not to duplicate Coal Yard Way, the steep slope of the road would be closed off to create a small green area at the heart of the development, connecting upper and lower; existing and new; housing and commercial; and the canal basin and the station.

Footpath/cycle links: The curve of the north embankment to the Union Lane site represents the last vestige of the former rail line to the Covercroft Salt Works. The proposal is to reinstate this gentle sweep down the slope with a new cycle track/path linking the upper and lower levels, landscaping this as gardens with a wide space at the top, as a green viewing area, being above the rail embankments with views over and beyond Netherwich Basin.

North Street: To increase connectivity, the existing path to North St. is opened as a road link and an additional link at the west end, here allowing the possibility of an extension or redevelopment of the existing corner offices into a larger commercial property opposite the station.

Housing developments: A mix of town houses and apartments.

a. On the north western edge, apartment blocks, 2-storey to the east and 3 or 4-storey fronting Coal Yard Way, with car parking on the lowest level.

b. On the north edge semi-detached town houses (integral garages), leaving views between, with principle frontage to the landscaped slopes below.

c. Fronting Union Lane and the side links, 3-storey town houses in short terraces.

d. New developments facing North Street, either town houses as above or 3-storey apartment blocks, facing commercial units.

Office developments: The positioning of the western linking road to North Street would allow for a commercial development of varying sizes to suit the market, at development.

Footpath/cycle links: The improvement to the environment of North Street and Union Lane, will make both roads a more inviting route to walk down, particularly at night, including through routes from the station.

Union Lane footpath links: Pedestrian routes from the new green on Union Lane are to link to a new bridge across the Saltway.

Town centre bridge links: The principle disincentive of this housing is its lack of path links to the town

centre. To this end a footbridge and/or cycle-bridge is proposed at the end of North St. across Saltway, ramping down into Morrison‟s car park onto Covercroft. Improvements are also desirable, from this bridge down to the lay-by and north to Hampton Rd and south to the existing subway below Ombersley Way.

Boxing Club Site: The main Droitwich sewers in the old line of the former coal dock (below the former

boxing club) preclude development above it. An apartment blocks either side; end on to the canal might be feasible. Public access to the canal might be feasible.

Hampton Road junction Site: On the opposite side of the new road is a more level developable area,

backing onto the factory embankment, which would be suitable for 3 storey town houses in a crescent, possibly terraced, with parking below. As part of this site is separately owned, behind the existing cottage on the corner, design could allow it to be extended/mirrored were this additional site to become available.

Pipe Works Site: The existing path across the Salwarpe should be continued to link with the towpath as close

to the rail bridge as feasible to link with the canal basin development. Frontages angled towards the towpath would be an advantage for the security of persons on the towpath, preferably a fully open frontage towards the canal (without walls or fences).

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Union Lane Redevelopment Site Proposals (Including North St and the Railway Station)

CIVIC NEWS

SUMMER 2014

Station Access and Pedestrian Links: The footpath/cycle route options link through the railway

embankments and across the River Salwarpe, which could now also link in with the canal towpath and adjacent development sites. It is also desirable that better links across the Saltway for Friar St./Ricketts Lane be added to that, between the station and the town centre and to Ombersley St. West & East.

Link to North Street: The proposed improvements to North St. make the narrow cut-through from the station forecourt much more desirable.

Links to Ombersley Street West: These currently consist only of underpasses. That closest to the station is heavily overgrown by bushes on the north side and that closest to Saltway has the north-side ramp heading back east to a circuitous route around onto North Street. Many pedestrians cross Ombersley Way from Station Street, though there are no footpaths in this area. It is proposed that a proper pedestrian crossing, with a central island is made. Station Rd is too close to the junction, thus the proposal is closer to Ombersley St. with its continuation on the north side of Ombersley Way closed (additional links have already been proposed into North St.) for safety.

Link to Ledwych Road: The pedestrian route here would also benefit from a central island refuge against fast traffic.

Links to Salwarpe Road: There is a footpath link to Salwarpe Rd (which has no footpath along it) between the club and halls. This should be widened to create a access road to the western station car park, direct off Salwarpe Rd.

Builders Yard Site: Remaining locked between the diverging railway embankments is the builder‟s merchant,

off Kidderminster Road. It is thought that this site could be developed for two small apartment blocks backing onto each embankment. There is the opportunity here to make a path link to the canal towpath between the two embankments feeding between both blocks and their frontage parking. The floodable river sides would be open amenity space.

Station Road Bridge: This is old, extremely narrow (one-way working) for vehicles, operated by traffic

signals and slightly dangerous for pedestrians and cycles. A new link to Salwarpe Rd. Would allow this to be closed to motor vehicles. It is to be hoped a footpath link on the west side from the car park direct to the platform could be made below the bridge as is proposed of the east side.

Pipe Works Site: The existing path across the Salwarpe should be continued to link with the towpath as close

to the rail bridge as feasible to link with the canal basin development.

Salwarpe Road Sites: With the proposals for a new road link from Salwarpe Road to the car parks west of

the station (and Acre Lane), land would have to be obtained from either the Scouts or Guides sites or the British Legion club site. The latter however, is a low intensity use for what will now become valuable real-estate, which could accommodate 3 or 4-storey apartment blocks with 80m frontage along Salwarpe Rd. and 60m along the canal, with parking behind these (off the new link road).

Future of North Road Sites: The low density office workshop units between North St and Ombersley Way

are (probably) held under lease as some change hands regularly. A keen developer, with the right market condition could amalgamate these in the future, within each of the 4 or 5 blocks. This redeveloped could provide deep plan commercial office developments of 2 or 3 storey (with lower ground floor) parking, with „footprints‟ ranging from 600sq.m. Parking requirement becomes an issue at the larger sizes.

Mike Hayzelden, Stuart Haywood and Richard Taylor August 2014 (If any member would like to comment upon or add to the above ideas and proposals then please contact either Mike, Stuart of Richard and give them the details of your further proposals).

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Droitwich CVS and Community Volunteers Based in the Old Library, Ombersley Street East

CIVIC NEWS

SUMMER 2014

An important date for your diary!

Droitwich Library is hosting a local history day on:

Saturday 22nd November –

‘Local History for the Local Community’

We are holding a meeting to discuss proposals for the day and would like to invite your group

to send along a representative. This meeting will be on:

Tuesday 2nd September at 3pm in the Gallery at Droitwich Library.

We would welcome any thoughts and ideas, including how your group could benefit from the local history day.

Please would you notify me if someone from your group will be attending. Thank you, Julie.

Community Training

Droitwich CVS will be delivering a range of courses and workshops to meet the training needs of people working in, interested in, or involved in the voluntary and community sector.

Training for Community Groups: Inspirational Applications for Funding, Roles and Responsibilities of Trustee, Organisational Structures, Dementia Awareness.

Training for Individuals: Becoming a Volunteer, Communication Skills, Developing Confidence and Self Esteem, Customer Care, Group Working, Health and Safety in a Practical Environment,

Community Traineeships: An opportunity for young people 16 -18 to participate in a fully funded 6 month programme. The programme will include attendance on courses and work placement.

For More information on any of the above courses please call 01905 779115 or email julie@droitwichcvs.org.uk

Droitwich CVS provides a volunteer brokerage service for organisations and volunteers from across Worcestershire. We match local people who would like to volunteer and

local organisations with volunteer vacancies. There are currently 134 local organisations looking for people to help them in all sorts of roles such as administration, supporting older people and families, youth work, organising events and fundraising to name a few. Volunteering helps career prospects, enables people to learn new skills and share skills they already have. An important part of our service is to link volunteers with vacancies in local organisations.

Organisations approach us, register that they are looking for volunteers and then with our help,

provide us with specific volunteer job roles that they require. When a suitable volunteer is identified, we

contact the organisation with the relevant information and establish correspondence between the groups

and volunteer.

Once registered with us, a volunteer attends an informal interview in order for us to determine what

kind of placement they may be suited to. It gives the volunteer the opportunity to specify their interests

and express concerns which in time supports the sustainability of volunteer placements within

organisations. After the interview, we run searches on our organisational database and contact relevant

organisations to establish whether or not it would be a suitable placement for the individual. If so, we

correspond with both parties and set up a formal introduction.

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An Engine Named ‘Droitwich’ - Part 2

CIVIC NEWS

SUMMER 2014

(Continued from Civic News Spring 150)

Moorsom’s approach to the question of mo-

tive power for his line, seems to have been one of

hopeful pragmatism and when he was told by the

directors in 1838 to have locomotives ready for

the opening of the line, he ordered some from

British manufacturers which could never hope to

pull any worthwhile load up the Lickey.

During his deliberations, however, he be-

came aware of stories emanating from across the

Atlantic concerning prodigious feats of hill-

climbing by a locomotive built at the Bush Hill

works of Norris in Philadelphia; in this he proba-

bly saw his salvation.

The subject of these tales was the GEORGE

WASHINGTON, a 4-2-0 produced by Norris in

July I836 and sent to work on the Philadelphia &

Columbia Railroad. This line included a truly

awesome inclined plane at Shuylkill, or Belmont

as it is sometimes referred to, just outside Phila-

delphia, which was cable hauled - no wonder as

its half mile length was at an inclination of just

under one in fourteen!

It was up this hill that the GEORGE WASH-

INGTON hauled 8 tons 11 cwt (including tender)

in two minutes and one second on 10th July I836,

and nine days later, dragged the then amazing

load of just under fourteen tons to the top in only

twenty-three seconds more. But Norris had

cheated, or at least misled observers and Moor-

som was deceived (he wasn't alone).

The engine weighed 14,930 pounds, of

which 8,700 pounds was on the driving wheels,

and the boiler pressure was given as just under

sixty pounds on the 10th July, and ‘just under

eighty pounds' on the 19th. With the combination

of this adhesive weight and the tractive effort pro-

duced by the reported boiler pressure, the laws of

physics make it impossible for such feats of haul-

age to have been achieved.

It was not until 1947 that an analysis was

undertaken of the Norris engines. It was shown

that a combination of weight redistribution when

working, including transferred weight from the

tender onto the drawbar, combined with much

higher boiler pressures than the safety valve

springs were supposed to allow, contributed to the

increases of power in the American trials.

As a result of the reports that he received of

the trials, however, Moorsom entered into nego-

tiations on the 3rd September 1838 with Norris for

the purchase of locomotives. In due course he re-

ported to the directors that in a letter dated 15th

October 1838, ‘Mr Norris offers to supply an as-

sistant engine for working up the inclined plane’,

and that, subject to satisfactory trials in England,

ten more of the same class would be contracted

for.

The directors seemed happy with this ar-

rangement and requested Moorsom to attend a

meeting in company with Mr Gwynne, Norris’s

agent in England, to ratify the situation.

That the engines were not capable of any-

thing like their accredited performance if the

weights and steam pressure had been as advertised

was, to Moorsom’s chagrin, borne out by trials in

England. To be charitable it is possible of course

that the ‘fiddles’ which enabled the Norris engines

to achieve their performances in America were

unintentional.

The directors of the Birmingham & Glouces-

ter Railway now found themselves in what could

be described as a hole. The opening of the line

was fast coming upon them, they had insufficient

motive power on order, and what they did have

was, in modern parlance, a busted flush.

More engines were needed and the directors

took the surprising step of ordering more Norris

types from English ‘Respectable Makers’. Alto-

gether they contracted for six from Nasmyth Gas-

kell & Company and three from Benjamin Hick.

(To be continued - final part next time)

Richard Taylor

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Requests for Assistance and the Diamond Jubilee Path

CIVIC NEWS

SUMMER 2014

The Royal British Legion/Rotary need a first class modern wireless loudspeaker communication system for the Memorial Service on 11th of the 11th, on the 9th November 2014, in Victoria Square. Rotary has undertaken to help the British Legion. From what we know there is a much wider need for such equipment. Each year the Commemoration of the end of WW2, grows in size and the large crowd is spread further from the memorial. Last year it was a disaster, and one of the main complaints was that people could not hear. Last month there was a mini service for the start of the 1st world war, with far fewer people involved, and with the Town Council's best equipment, you still could only hear clearly if directly in front of the speaker and about 20 yards away. So a specification has been drawn up and Malcolm Blurton, a Probus member, who has helped Rotary source and install the overhead projector. solar power and the hearing loop etc., in Rotary House has been asked to investigate and source a wireless communication system with four speakers etc.

He has also investigated the hire of equipment. The wireless system will cost in excess of £2000. and can clearly be used by many organisations in Droitwich. At the moment we have specified equipment to meet the British Legion and Rotary's need, but if the Music societies in town want to use it, maybe we should see what the extra equipment to play music without "interference" would cost. The Town Council have indicated that an application for a grant would be supported. There are many other Organisations who would possibly help with a grant. A Consortium of Droitwich Organisations could combine to apply for the grant and purchase and manage the equipment.. We need to do something quickly as the 9th November will soon be with us. I think the first thing is to meet with Malcolm Blurton and John Bodger and think about who else may be interested in joining the Consortium. Sandy Laird

Wanted - Christmas Sleigh Volunteers

The Droitwich Spa Rotary Club takes the Sleigh round the streets of the town in December. This spectacle brings the “magic of Christmas” to many young children and adults. It also allows the Club the opportunity to collect funds for charities.

We cover 23 routes in the first three weeks of December from 5 pm to 8 pm and need a team of seven people for each outing. We are appeal-ing for able bodied adult helpers to join us. It is very rewarding to see the joy in children‟s faces and is great fun. For further information please contact John Bodger on 01905 770428 or Jim Gillespie on 01905 795705

Diamond Jubilee Path across Yew Tree Hill

I note in the last newsletter the editors plea for stuff for inclusion in the newsletter. I expect the results of the enquiry about Yew Tree Hill will be featured in your next newsletter! (see Foreword) I am attaching a photo of the walk which Spa Walkers led on Mayday. 60 people walked The Droitwich Spa Diamond Jubilee circular walk. They stopped for a group photo on Yew Tree Hill (taken by Mike Hardwick) followed by refreshments at Salwarpe church. Jan Skan

Request for Civic Society's Support

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Droitwich 1945 - 1974 A Summary of a Booklet by G. L. Robinson, Borough Engineer & Surveyor, 1945 to 1974

CIVIC NEWS

SUMMER 2014

In 1945, Droitwich was faced with a problem of unemployment. Jobs were linked to the spa related ac-tivities of hotels and catering. At that time it was diffi-cult to attract industry to market and non-industrial towns since government policy was concerned to direct industry to Development Areas. Government regula-tions required Industrial Development Certificates which were not easily obtained for non-industrial areas. Zoning was the economic panacea of the day and Droit-wich Town Council was unable to generate significant in-movement of industry.

Also there was a housing shortage. For industry to become established, accommodation was needed for key workers. But the shortage of quality housing deterred the inward movement of outsiders. During the war no houses had been built and yet there was considerable demand for tenancies from local people, in particular returning soldiers. Stalls Farm estate had been built with prisoner of war labour but there had been a shortage of building materials. This explains why there is a mix of non-traditional housing with traditional house designs on the same estate; for example asbestos guttering mixed with cast iron and aluminium fall pipes all in the same house.

Berry Hill industrial estate was the creation of a private developer. The estate was not attractive to manufacturing firms. This was partly due to an inade-quate infrastructure which was expensive to install but was essential if manufacturing was to chose a Droitwich location. Eventually a Town Development Committee took over the estate and met with some initial success though most businesses were of a warehousing and commercial nature. Assistance from Worcestershire County Council was sought continually. However Worcestershire County Council was under considerable pressure by central government to direct industry to the West Midlands conurbation.

A solution was identified; develop the town. What we would now call economic regeneration. It was recog-nised that benefits to the town of industrial develop-ment would have social as well as economic spin-offs. Regeneration would justify new and better schools, an improved road layout, more retail outlets and more open spaces and opportunity for sport.

When Redditch was designated a New Town and a New Town Corporation was established in April 1964 there was a threat to similarly designate Droitwich. A

poll was organised to determine the reaction of the community to over-spill. The majority opposed but in Droitwich a Joint Development Committee made up of Borough and County Councillors was created. An agree-ment was formed with Birmingham City Council to sub-sidise each dwelling built by the Development Commit-tee and occupied by a Birmingham nominated tenant.

It was the intention that Birmingham should en-courage the movement of industry to Droitwich and industrial development was envisaged. In reality in-coming businesses were predominantly warehousing and commerce rather than manufacturing.

A small population was seen as a hindrance to economic growth. It was proposed a population in-crease to 30,000 by 1981 but this was not to be for a number of reasons. A geological survey in 1965 identi-fied the risks of subsidence due to underground brine flows to building in Droitwich. Panic ensued and it be-came difficult to sell houses and mortgages were less easily granted so that town development practically came to a stop. Yet the survey also identified the areas where settlement was taking place and also areas where there was little or no risk of subsidence. When ICI de-cided to cease pumping brine at the Stoke Prior works, gradually confidence was restored, building re-commenced, mortgages became available and house sales resumed.

These delays were possibly a blessing since it per-mitted the assimilation of new residents more easily. The building of the Saltway and shopping precinct in the 1970‟s altered the street layout and resulted in the removal of many older buildings. There were better schools and sports facilities. The sewage works was moved out of town. All these benefits were the conse-quence of town development.

The Old Town Hall had been in use as council offices until 1970 and then the Council moved to Nor-bury House. With Local Government Re-organisation in 1974 and the creation of Wychavon as a District Coun-cil, Droitwich lost its Borough status and became a Town Council.

Whilst there are wide social, economic and central government policies which are beyond the control of the town council, Droitwich is now an expanding town with modern facilities to be enjoyed by all.

Roy Murphy

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Tercentenary of Droitwich to Worcester Turnpike New Pavement Plaque outside Old Town Hall

CIVIC NEWS

SUMMER 2014

The pavement plaque to commemorate the Tercentenary of the Droitwich to Worcester Turnpike was unveiled by the Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire on Sunday 1st June 2014. I have received a number of very complimentary comments and was very pleased to coordinate an event which promoted the history of Droitwich to a wider audience. We are indebted to our sponsors, without whose financial support the event would not have been possible, and of course to the voluntary efforts of members of our society, the Civic Society and the Milestone Society and members of the Norbury Theatre and the Droitwich Community Choir. Some photographs have already been printed in our local papers, a document has been created as a "thank you" to the Lord Lieutenant and Ringway Worcestershire and as a memento of the event.

Nigel Cooke from St Andrew's Town Hotel used the following recipe to create those delicious morsels we had on Sunday 1st June 2014. Chris Bowers

TO MAKE FINE CAKES by Thomas Dawson 1596

(taken from his book The Goode Huswife’s Jewell)

Transcription: © Daniel Myers December 20th 2008

Take fine flower and good Samaske water you must haue no other liquour but that, then take sweet butter, two or three yolkes of egges and a good quantity of Suger and a fewe cloves, and Mace, as your Cookes mouth shall serve him, and a little Gods good about a spoonful if you put in too much they shall arise, cutte them in squares lyke vnto trenchers, and pricke them well, and let your ouen be well swept and lay them vppon papers and so set them into the ouen, do not burne them if they be three or foure days olde they bee the better.

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Programme September to December 2014

CIVIC NEWS

SUMMER 2014

A tasty reminder of Tuesday, July 15th - The visit to the local Churchfields Farm at Salwarpe was made on a hot sunny evening. The visit started with free ice cream for all, followed by tea or coffee later. The talk about farming and the environmental studies scheme with a walk around the farm conducted by Mr. Davies was most interesting. It will soon be possible to buy Churchfields ice cream direct,

once the new and refurbished buildings are open.

Tuesday, September 16th - Brian Jauncey is coming to tell us about the history of

Madresfield Court, a Grade 1 country house near Malvern. It is the ancestral home of the Lygon family and has never been bought or sold since records began. The house was the inspiration for Brideshead Revisited.

Tuesday, October 21st - A visit from Lt. Col. Gerald Lesinski, the Master of the Lord

Leyster Hospital, Warwick. This isn‟t a bedpans and bandages talk but is about the history of this beautiful old building and its inhabitants.

Tuesday, November 18th - David Clark is an ex Mayor of Worcester. When he was

Mayor, David was looking in the basement of the Guildhall, where there are prison cells and documents stored. He found records of ladies who had committed minor crimes but had been shipped abroad to serve their sentence. His talk will cover these and other findings.

Tuesday, December 16th - A light-hearted look at the swinging 60‟s by Ray Sturdy.

Punch and mince pies will be served afterwards. Helen Prew, Secretary

Unless otherwise stated, indoor meetings are held in the Council Chamber,

St. Richard‟s House, Victoria Square, Droitwich Spa and start at 7.30 p.m.

Entry is £3.00

Society Membership is £6 per year (due April). Newsletters are published quarterly.

The ice cream parlour !