Veterans helping to set up new military exhibition

Military veterans and history students are helping to get an “exciting” exhibition ready for its new home.

The Worcestershire Soldier exhibition is being moved from Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum to the Commandery in Sidbury. The exhibition closed at the art gallery last summer and is scheduled to open in the building’s canal wing in February 2028.

A £1 million grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund is helping to fund the Worcester City Council project. Philippa Tinsley, head of museums and tourism, said the exhibits would be “object rich” with the opportunity for “lots of interactivity”.

She said part of the exhibition will focus on national service, which took place in the UK between 1939 and 1960.

“The population who took part in national service is rapidly diminishing so it’s an opportunity to tell that story before it completely disappears,” she told a meeting of the council’s place and economic development committee on Wednesday (June 10).

Councillor Hannah Cooper said: “This looks so exciting. The images look incredible and massive congratulations to you and the team for securing this funding. It’s really immense.” She asked how military veterans would be involved in the project. Ms Tinsley said veterans are a “core audience” of the project and veterans groups have already been consulted.

Worcestershire veterans have contributed to an oral history project and other sessions for veterans could be hosted at the Commandery as part of the wider programme, she said.

Young people including history students at the University of Worcester are also being involved in preparations for the opening of the exhibition in 2028. Agenda papers said the new exhibition would help boost tourism in the city.

“An enhanced offer at The Commandery creates a full-day heritage visitor offer to this area of the city, which will encourage tourists and regional visitors to choose Worcester for their trip out,” the report said.

“Worcester has historically received a lower heritage investment than its neighbours, despite its wealth of heritage assets.

“This contribution to place-making will also support increased partnership working, building on the already successful Love Worcester event and joint ‘Pikes and Porcelain’ ticket offer.”

Written by Phil Wilkinson Jones