A rare item of memorabilia belonging to a Worcestershire player who appeared for the county more than 100 years ago has been rescued by the club’s Heritage Co-Ordinator, Tim Jones.
Tim revealed that a 1910 Goldsmiths and Silversmith London Silver Trophy Bowl belonging to Lieutenant Colonel Bill Taylor (Royal Field Artilerry) was destined “to be sold for scrap” at Lymington Auctions in Hampshire.
But Tim was alerted to the existence of the Bowl, on a wooden base weighing 980 grams, and was able to purchase it for £550 from Heritage funds and it is now on its way to New Road to swell the already impressive collection in the Graeme Hick pavilion.
Tim explained: “Lieutenant Colonel Bill Taylor was a mainstay, of both Worcestershire CCC and Gentlemen of Worcestershire CC either side of World War I.
“Research indicated that this was a wedding gift, presented to him and his wife Harriet ‘Ally’ Whitaker in a service held at Pershore Abbey in October, 1911. It was destined to be sold for scrap.
“Bill Taylor first appeared for Worcestershire in a second XI game against Warwickshire seconds in May 1909, scoring 101 not out. The following month he made his first-class debut for Worcestershire against Kent at Tonbridge.
“Described as a fast-medium bowler with an ‘easy action’, he played 94 County Championship matches for Worcestershire with best bowling figures of 7-64 against Glamorgan at Kidderminster in 1921 and a highest score of 59 not out against Essex at Worcester in 1914.
“Taylor was appointed captain in 1914 and on conclusion of the final Championship match that season is reported to have marched the players to the recruiting office to enlist them following the outbreak of war.
“Not only did he serve his country with distinction, but was appointed a Justice of the Peace, was High Sheriff of Worcester in 1949 and Vice Lieutenant of the County in 1957.”
Tim added: “His brother in law was another Worcestershire stalwart, Maurice Jewell and through their joint fundraising efforts and patronage, kept Worcestershire ‘afloat’ during the lean and troubled years of the 1920s.
“Playing occasionally for Free Foresters, Bill Taylor also had a long association with The Gentlemen of Worcestershire side, playing for them for 24 years. This included tours to Guernsey, Jersey, Denmark and Portugal.”
Tim added; “The purchase was made possible due in no part to funds directed to maintaining and improving the Worcestershire CCC Heritage Collection – and which is self funded accumulated over the years thanks to various financial donations.
“These sit alongside the proceeds realised from the annual New Road memorabilia market.”
The 2024 Memorabilia Market will take place on Saturday 24 August in the Chestnut Marquee.
