Worcestershire County Cricket Club is delighted to announce a series of wonderful donations that have recently enhanced our archive collection at New Road, honouring notable moments and figures in the Club’s illustrious history.
Foremost among the items is the MCC tour blazer worn by former Worcestershire President George Chesterton, gifted by his son Colin and daughter Posy McTurk. George, who represented the Club as an amateur in 47 matches between 1950 and 1957, wore this blazer on the MCC’s tour of Canada in August and September 1951, during which he played in 16 of the 22 matches, claiming 18 wickets. The donation arrived accompanied by a team photograph showing George standing third from the right.
“George was a highly respected figure here at New Road,” says Tim Jones, the Club’s Heritage Co-ordinator. “We’re immensely grateful to Colin and Posy for entrusting us with this treasured piece of the Club’s past. It is now proudly on display, ensuring George’s contributions to Worcestershire and English cricket will be remembered and celebrated for years to come.”
Additional contributions have come from a variety of dedicated supporters. Mike Hitchins of the Worcestershire Cricket Society donated his match-day ticket from the inaugural Gillette Cup Final at Lord’s in 1963—a 65-over contest that saw Worcestershire narrowly defeated by Sussex despite Norman Gifford’s man-of-the-match bowling (4-33).
Longstanding member Alec Mackie contributed a 1951 membership card, revealing that membership that year cost £2, 2 shillings. Fascinatingly, the card details how net practices were once made available to members, with dedicated coaching for juniors each afternoon in April upon application to the then-secretary, Brigadier Mike Green.
Debbie and Colin Smith and friend Doreen Beasmore have passed on a bat from Ron Headley’s 1972 benefit season, signed by twelve members of the Worcestershire side that triumphed in the John Player League the previous year—plus signatures of the Middlesex, Surrey, and Indian touring teams.
Finally, thanks to a connection established through the popular Facebook page ‘Worcestershire CCC History and Memorabilia’, Juan Byrne from the Isle of Man donated a second signed bat, featuring signatures of both Worcestershire and Essex sides from the memorable 1974 season, when Norman Gifford’s 7-15 at Chelmsford dramatically sealed the County Championship title.
These gifts will all be cherished additions to the Club’s growing heritage displays, offering members, supporters, and visitors the chance to connect with Worcestershire’s proud cricketing legacy. If you have any treasures or stories to share, we encourage you to get in touch—our archives are always growing, one piece of history at a time.
