History Stories

As part of the Northwick Manor Community Project, I have been recording oral history interviews with people who've lived in the Northwick area of Worcester for most of their lives and have special memories of the area.

These include stories about some of Northwick and Bevere's well known landmarks such as the Northwick Cinema, The Slip and Bevere Weir.

They also include information about less well known sites, such as a hidden World War II bunker and a brick works on the banks of The Severn.  

Max Sinclair

Max Sinclair talking about the origins of the fir trees outside his home on Ombersley Rd, and how they blew down in a storm when an American convoy was passing during WW2.

Max Sinclair talking about how busy the Ombersley Road was in the 1930s, and the salt man who came on his bike.

Brian Orme

Brian Orme talking about the building of a secret bunker at Old Northwick Farm during WW2. It housed guns and grenades for the British Resistance, if England was invaded.

Brian Orme talking about the Northwick Cinema, built just before the war but used to store munitions during the war, and not used again until 1945.

Sheila and Roger Tapping

Roger and Sheila Tapping talking about their house, 155 Northwick Lane, built on the site of the stables of Northwick Hall.

Roger and Sheila Tapping talking about days out at the Slip and once witnessing a Krishna ceremony in the Severn.

Christine Dorrell

Christine Dorrell talking about buying Cove Cottage in 1952, and giving a brief  history of the house built in 1728, on the banks of the Severn.

Christine Dorrell talking about petrol tankers and boats loaded with wood throbbing past her house, but also the wildlife on the banks of the Severn.

Jim Merrick

Jim Merrick talking about the boats that went up and down the Severn and how he used to swim in their wakes. He also mentions the dangers and drownings in Bevere Weir.

Jim Merrick talking about the Manor at Bevere, used by the fire service during the war, and later as a home for displaced persons.

Reg Bird

Reg Bird talking about the huge numbers of birds in the marshes on his land at Old Northwick Farm. These were ringed and identified by Birmingham University Birding Club.

Reg Bird talking about ploughing up singed bricks from the brick works, once found on the banks of the Severn near the Slip.