Worcestershire Sauce

Worcestershire Sauce was brought back from India by Lord Marcus Sandys, ex-Governor of Bengal, who gave it to two local chemists, John Lea and William Perrins, with an order for a large batch to be made up from his recipe. A few weeks later he returned to pick up the sauce, only to proclaim upon sampling some that it tasted filthy and was nothing like how it should be, and left in disgust.

Nothing more was thought of this until the chemists discovered it at the back of their stores a few months later, and they decided to give it just one more try before tipping it down the drain. To their surprise, the foul-tasting anchovy broth, after being left to ferment, had matured into an interesting spicy condiment, and they immediately purchased the recipe from Lord Marcus. So thanks to this chance retasting, 1838 saw the UK's best-known sauce launched, and the name of Worcestershire Sauce (originally called just Worcester Sauce), has spread to be mispronounced by many a foreigner in every corner of this spherical world.

In the UK, Worcestershire is pronounced 'woost-ur-shire' and Worcestershire Sauce is referred to as 'Worcester Sauce', pronounced 'woos-tah'. In many other parts of the world, however, it is referred to as 'War-sest-uh-shire' Sauce.

Worcestershire

Once the county of Hereford and Worcester, the name Worcester comes from being a roman fort town which is why it has the -cester suffix attached to it. However, the first part of the name is probably attributed to an ancient tribal name such as Wigora, meaning winding such as a winding river. The Domesday records show the town as being called Wirecestre.

Worcester is one of the old cathedral cities and the splendid norman cathedral is one of the main tourist attractions to the area. Worcester countryside is like that of its neighbour, Gloucestershire, and the town of Evesham in Worcestershire is the gateway to the Cotswolds.

Every year at the beginning of December Worcester comes alive with the excitement of the Victorian Christmas Fayre, the Midlands most prestigious Victorian themed street market. It boasts funfair rides, street performers, period costume, roast chesnuts, mulled wine and offers a truely memorable festive experience right in the heart of Worcester City Centre.

Evesham

Evesham is a bustling market town on the banks of the river Avon. Although attractive at any time of the year, Evesham and the surrounding rural area are at their best in Spring when the sights of fruit trees in blossom are evident wherever you journey. A scenic route known as the Blossom Trail has been routed around Evesham for the motorist to admire the most scenic and advantageous views of the blossom at its best.

The Avon at Evesham offers, fishing, boating holidays and much of the Avon is used for dinghy sailing and canoeing.

The town centre has many interesting buildings. In the market place stands the Round House, a 15th century timbered building and the Town Hall dating from 1586. The 14th century timbered building is the Almonry Museum, once part of the Abbey and now a museum of local history. The old town stocks with their roof is still preserved outside.

Evesham is approx 15 miles from Worcester, and if travelling from Birmingham the easiest way to get to Evesham is to exit the M5 motorway at Junction 7 and follow the A44 this road takes you all the way to Evesham.

For more photographs of Evesham click here

Forge Mill Needle Museum

The Forge Mill Needle Museum in Redditch was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1983 and it is dedicated to showcasing the needle and fishing tackle industry that took place in Redditch in Victorian times. This is a fascinating museum and of interest to all age groups.  There is ample parking on site, a gift shop and picnic tables for those that wish to bring their own food. There is no restaurant or cafe on site. 

There are exhibitions and demonstrations and many examples of needles and the work that has been made using fine needles in the leather and textile industries. The museum is right by the ruins of Bordesley Abbey which is the site of a medieval Cistercian Abbey with extensive excavations. The Visitor Centre which is housed in a 16th century barn documents the history of the Abbey until its dissolution by Henry VIII in 1538. 

Forge Mill Needle Museum & Bordesley Abbey Visitor Centre
Needle Mill Lane, Riverside, Redditch, B98 8HY. Tel: 01527 62509

For more photographs of the Needle Museum & Bordesley Abbey click here 

You can also view the photos on You Tube

Kidderminster

Kidderminster is a town just seventeen miles south of Birmingham. It is famous for its carpet industry history. Some of the famous names in carpets come from the town of Kidderminster. The town is full of wonderful architecture from old mill buildings, many of which are situated along the canal waterways.

A settlement has been at Kidderminster since Anglo Saxon times but the invention of the power loom and large scale carpet production has always been an important part of the economy. Carpets are still made in the town today. Brintons Carpets is a firm that started carpet making in the town in 1785 and it is still going strong.

There are three shopping areas in Kidderminster with Weavers Wharf being the latest addition. Many major brands are present here and the old mill buildings have been used to house various retail outlets.


For more photographs of Kidderminster click here or view on You Tube