Worcester (Part 2)

Part 1 of our tour of Worcester clocks ended up in the Crowngate Shopping Centre. And we start Part 2 underneath the shopping centre, where the bus station has been shoved out of the way. This is not a pleasant environment to wait for a bus, and gives the impression that Worcester does not care about public transport.

In the gloom we can just about make out a token clock. I might have been able to get some better pictures, but quite frankly I wasn't going to hang around to try.

Instead, lets get some fresh air and some fields. This is the view out of window of the Premier Inn hotel, which has been built as part of the building of the Worcestershire County Cricket Club, which has had its home in New Road since 1896. It is slightly odd looking out of the windows of a hotel bar / dining area on to a cricket pitch, and even odder when the only cricket going on was on the television, where England were winning the World Cup by some bizarre process, where the rules seem to be made up on the spot.

Look closely at the photograph above and you will spot the clock.

Next to the cricket ground are some playing fields, which have more pavilions and more clocks.

Moving further away from the city centre we come across the church of St John in Bedwardine.

The church has parts dating back to the 12th century, subsequent additions and then various re-builds during the 19th century. The usual story. The tower, on which the clock sits, was added in 1481, and its spire is its second version after the original was destroyed in the Civil War.

The clock itself is by Joyce of Whitchurch.

Taking an about turn and heading back to the city centre, we pass through Cripplegate Park, with its magnificent ceramic fountain and this bowling green pavilion.

The clock bears the name of J W Cassidy & Sons, who appear to be a jewellers based in the High Street. Company records show that the firm was incorporated in 1925 but is no longer trading.

From a modest pavilion to a huge brick tower. This building on Castle Street is now part of the University of Worcester, but the name Austin House gives a clue that this was one a large car dealership operated by H A Saunders.

It was built in 1938-39 on the site of Worcester prison, and is now Grade II listed. Credit to the university that this is looking in fine shape.

We are now out along the A38 Barbourne Road at St George's Square, which gives a magnificent long vista to the church of the same name.

St George's was built in 1893-95 and was designed by Aston Webb, who had the largest architectural practice in the country and is more famous for his work on the V&A, Buckingham Palace and Admiralty Arch in London and the clock tower at Birmingham University.

Another church now, or at least a building that originally operated as a church.

The former Church of St Mary Magdelene sits on the junction of Sansome Walk and Northfield Street. It was built in 1876-77, with the tower added in 1889. It became redundant as a church in 1978, and has been converted into 30 flats.

Our final call in Part 2 is at the Victoria Institute on Foregate Street.

The Institute houses the museum and art gallery, and was constructed in 1894 - 96.

Part 3 now awaits.