Volunteers working on plans to relocate Worcester’s military museum have said it is an opportunity to “reimagine the collection”.
The Worcestershire Soldier Gallery – currently in the city’s museum and art gallery in Foregate Street – will close at the end of August, before reopening in 2026 at The Commandery.
The £1.2m project will move the attraction a stone’s throw from Worcester Cathedral, the Museum of Royal Worcester Porcelain and the Guildhall, creating what the volunteers are calling a “historical hub” for the city.
Colonel Stamford Cartwright, overseeing the move, said: “It’s going to be great opportunity to reimagine the collection.”
“We need to concentrate something on national service,” he said.
“We also want to remember, I think, the sacrifices that have been made over the years by the people of Worcestershire, and so that will be brought well to the fore.”
He said times had changed since the exhibition was put together in the early 2000s, and people were more prepared to read about personal stories of the people of Worcester.
“That’s where we’re going to concentrate – not forgetting the things that the younger element want to see – weapons, swords, bayonets,” he said.
Col Cartwright said it was all part of the history of the Worcestershire regiment, the Worcestershire yeomanry and the gunners.
A survey has begun so people can say what they want to see and what they expect from a military museum.
Funds are being raised for the move, with a concert at Worcester Cathedral to mark VE Day next month.
The Band of the Mercian Regiment will perform on 3 May at 19:30 with a programme of marches, wartime songs and music by Elgar and Walton.
Tom Edwards
BBC Hereford & Worcester
Tanya Gupta
BBC News, West Midlands
