Last month saw New Road play host to its annual Memorabilia Day, with members and supporters coming together to show their appreciation for one of the Club’s most popular traditions.
Packing out the Chestnut Marquee with a wide array of Worcestershire merchandise, memorabilia and collectable items with a rich historical heritage, the day raised a record-breaking £514.
The funds will be reinvested into the Heritage Group to ensure the upkeep and maintenance of all the Club’s most treasured and historic pieces.
Founder of the event, Tim Jones, shared his views after one of the most successful days since the inception.
“Memorabilia Day is a great and hugely popular event within the Worcestershire County Cricket Club Community.
“Credit must go to Richard Brown – Chairman of the world-renowned Cricket Memorabilia Society – who organises the whole day from start to finish.
“This year, we raised £514, which is our best sum to date and highlights the value and popularity of the day.
“With the collection primarily housed in the Graeme Hick Pavilion (there are also two cabinets in the Beard Terrace function room), it is regarded as one of the best entrances to any ground, showcasing the Club’s rich history, which looks magnificent.
“This heightened profile has helped with many more members, players and former players to donate items of memorabilia, as they welcome the chance to ‘take their place’ in our history in the knowledge that their contribution is so heavily valued. It’s a proud moment for them.
“The collection always looks its best thanks to a number of fellow members who give their spare time to help with the annual spring clean and for whose help I am always grateful.”
Established in 2001, the Worcestershire CCC Heritage Group was created to preserve, catalogue and develop the Club’s rich history for future generations.
Initially supported by a small grant from the Club, the organisation has been self-funding ever since, relying on fundraising and the generosity of members and supporters.
One of its first achievements was establishing the Club library in the former Ladies’ Pavilion, thanks to a generous donation of books from former member Canon Hugh Pickles.
Under the leadership of founding chairman Bernard Bridgwater, the Heritage Group began building an ever-growing collection of Worcestershire memorabilia.
When the Graeme Hick Pavilion opened, the collection found a permanent home in a series of display cabinets that have since expanded with support from members, the Supporters’ Association, and private donors.
In 2016, the original Heritage Group committee was disbanded to allow a more streamlined approach, where Club Historian and Archivist Tim Jones, who had chaired the group since 2005, assumed responsibility for the collection.
Supported by volunteers, the flexible structure has enabled the heritage work to continue growing.
A key part of the Association’s work is its annual Memorabilia Day, which raises vital funds for conservation, cabinet maintenance and the acquisition of important historical items.
Recent fundraising has helped secure significant additions to the collection, including the Club’s historic scorebook covering 1883-1896, ensuring an irreplaceable piece of Worcestershire’s history remained at New Road.
Today, the collection contains hundreds of historic items, including scorebooks, photographs, clothing, trophies and personal memorabilia from some of the Club’s greatest players, including Graeme Hick, Basil D’Oliveira, Tom Graveney, Don Kenyon, Glenn Turner and Reg Perks.
Over several years, Tim has received donations from a host of current and recently retired players, including Gareth Andrew (who donated his famous Mongoose bat) Alan Richardson, Moeen Ali, Ben Cox, Daryl Mitchell and Jack Shantry, who have all contributed.
Last season, Joe Leach donated his iconic colours cap, which is now on display inside the Graeme Hick Pavilion.
A truly unique and personal item that Joe wore throughout his career, it had to be cleaned and stabilised with the help of a professional conservator, a process that cost £300, highlighting how funds generated on memorabilia day can be put to good use.
More than two decades after its formation, the Heritage Association continues to preserve the achievements of past and present players while ensuring the Club’s history can be enjoyed by future generations.
