Latest news

  • 11th November 2016
Open days at Broadway Dig

UPDATE 20/11/2016: Unfortunately the weather forecast is absolutely horrendous for tomorrow, so we’ve decided to postpone the site tours. The site is very exposed and ground conditions are likely to be treacherous. Besides being unsafe, there’s not going to be much to see (unless you’re particularly keen on puddles) until the rain passes. We’ll re-arrange...

  • 4th November 2016
The Grazebrook sketchbooks

Worcestershire Archive Service is in the process of cataloguing a collection of four volumes that were deposited with us by Homery Folkes, an architect, local historian and noted antiquarian. These volumes contain newspaper cuttings, postcards, photographs and drawings reproducing architectural details and images from nature.  Obviously the work of someone very interested in architecture –...

  • 31st October 2016
Witchcraft in the Archives

The Quarter Sessions are a great source of stories. They contain all sorts of crimes and disputes from across the county, which the Justices of the Peace had to adjudicate on with the help of juries. Over the years volunteers have indexed these which help people to search through for particular people and places, and...

  • 6th October 2016
All change at Explore The Past – Update!

On 21st September we announced some changes that will be taking place on Level 2 at The Hive.  We are now pleased to confirm that these changes will be taking place over the weekend of 29th and 30th October.   Because of the nature of the work it will be necessary to close the area so...

  • 29th September 2016
Michaelmas

The 29th September marks the Feast of St Michael and All Angels, often shortened to Michaelmas. In the liturgical year of the Church it celebrates the Archangel. It is a popular dedication to parish churches, including Salwarpe, Stoke Prior, Cropthorne, Great Comberton, Tenbury and in Worcester the church which stood next to the Cathedral. St...

  • 27th September 2016
Worcestershire Archaeology Day School 2016

Our popular Archaeology Day School will be held this year on Saturday 19th November at the University of Worcester. Once again we will have a range of talks on archaeological topics from both our staff and guests. Talks will include Fascinating Finds Portable Antiquities Scheme in Worcestershire Roman & Saxon Kempsey in two recent digs...

  • 24th September 2016
Statue of Queen Victoria – letter from a prospective artist

Statue of Queen Victoria in 1950 Image taken from the Worcestershire Photographic Survey, register no. 456 Are you enjoying the ITV series Victoria? Queen Victoria’s long reign was celebrated across the country in many ways including statues in many towns and cities. In Worcester there is a statue of Queen Victoria outside Shire Hall (now...

  • 21st September 2016
All change at Explore the Past!

It has been four years since Worcestershire Archive and Archaeology Service opened at The Hive, and during that time we have been monitoring use of the service and receiving lots of feedback.  The result of this is that Level 2 of The Hive will be changing soon…  The main change is that the public Archaeology...

  • 7th September 2016
Police Charge Book Concealing Ladies Corsets

One of the unexpected surprises in my work as Book and Paper Conservator at The Hive is revealing hidden materials that have been used in the construction of bound volumes. Termed ‘Printer’s Waste’ this material forms part of a long tradition of bookbinders using material to hand when a book is constructed.  The process can...

  • 3rd September 2016
WWI Letters – Readings by Drama Students

Look within the many records held by Worcestershire Archive & Archaeology Service and you will find a number of collections of letters dating from the First World War. Our service has used these letters in a variety of ways in the centenary events we have been involved in recently, which are part of the Worcestershire...