Our recent article on Worcester’s lost theatres, inspired lots of discussion and memories via social media sites and has prompted a few more fascinating images to be shared.

Several people commented that they were invited to tread the boards at the Theatre Royal in Angel Street, or had been along to see relatives perform there.

In fact, many recalled links with the long running Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society (WODS), which is still going strong today.

I was able to make contact with one gentleman David Ranford, who shared a stunning photograph of his mother Winnie, performing as one of the three little maids in The Mikado by Gilbert and Sullivan.

David shared Winnie’s story and a number of other photographs taken by his father John.

“I remember as a child going to see my mother perform in the Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society Shows in both Worcester and Malvern. She was a great singer.

“My only memory of the Theatre Royal though, was being pushed onto stage as a three year old, to give her, the leading lady, a bouquet!”

David has very kindly shared a number of photographs which have never been made public before, and will be added to the community layer on Know Your Place Worcester.

His earliest memory is beautifully illustrated by several images of the 1947 floods (which David notes as the highest on record), along New Road and Hylton Road.

“I was aged two years and seven months and remember getting on one of those vehicles at the bottom of Bull Ring with my mother, to get into town.”

If you have memories of Worcester, we’d love to hear from you!

If you’d like to view these photographs or even add your own, they are now available at www.kypworcester.org.uk.

You can now also create your own personal, private life story via the new NHS-hosted Life Stories platform https://life-stories.hacw.nhs.uk/

Worcester Life Stories

Worcester Life Stories is a collaborative project bringing local people together through shared stories of the City of Worcester.

It is co-led by Dr Natasha Lord, Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust and Sheena Payne-Lunn, Worcester City Council and funded thanks to National Lottery players.

For further information or to share your stories, visit worcesterlifestories.org.uk, our Facebook page or Twitter @worlifestories.

You can also email worcesterlifestories@gmail.com or call 01905 721133.

lAnd why not visit the We grew up in Worcester page on Facebook?