Archive

It has been four years since Worcestershire Archive and Archaeology Service opened at The Hive, and during that time we have been monitoring use of the service and receiving lots of feedback.  The result of this is that Level 2 of The Hive will be changing soon…  The main change is that the public Archaeology...

One of the unexpected surprises in my work as Book and Paper Conservator at The Hive is revealing hidden materials that have been used in the construction of bound volumes. Termed ‘Printer’s Waste’ this material forms part of a long tradition of bookbinders using material to hand when a book is constructed.  The process can...

Look within the many records held by Worcestershire Archive & Archaeology Service and you will find a number of collections of letters dating from the First World War. Our service has used these letters in a variety of ways in the centenary events we have been involved in recently, which are part of the Worcestershire...

‘Finish your articles re the Wych elm crime by all means. They are interesting to your readers, but you will never solve the mystery. The one person who could give the answer is now beyond the jurisdiction of the earthly courts.’ In 1953 ‘Anna’ of Claverley wrote those intriguing words in a letter to journalist...

Worcestershire Archive and Archaeology Service recently had the pleasure of hosting a work experience placement for Charlotte Hall. During her time here Charlotte had the chance to get an insight into the wide range of roles that take place behind-the-scenes in our service. Here, Charlotte gives us her thoughts about her experiences here: Inside the Archive:...

Recently we have put up two great posts (here and here) that were written and researched by Chris Rouse, a work experience student who joined us for a hundred-hour placement this summer. Before he departed, Chris also wrote us an account of his time here, which gives an insight into the wide variety of work an archive service...

Here is the second instalment of a piece researched by our recent work experience placement, Chris Rouse. You can find the first post here.  In an earlier piece, I wrote about research I’d been doing into the habitual offenders of Edwardian Worcestershire. Most cases seemed simple: a crime was committed and the perpetrator was easily...

This summer Worcestershire Archive Service was lucky enough to host the talented and enthusiastic Chris Rouse on one of the hundred-hour work experience placements we offer. During his time with us he had the opportunity get involved with a wide variety of the sort of jobs one might encounter in the archive profession, including some...

Just before Easter, our archaeologists were called out to investigate the discovery of a mammoth tusk at Tarmac’s Clifton Quarry, just south of Worcester. The tusk was spotted by a sharp-eyed excavator driver at the site: realising the importance of what he had uncovered, he reported it to the quarry management. Tarmac immediately suspended operations...

Come along to The Hive this August and experience history first hand with us. On Monday 15 August from 11am-2pm, you will have the opportunity to hold items from the archives collections. History is not just about reading documents, these are real items with fascinating stories, and holding these helps connect people to the past....