Worcester slum clearances of the 1950s and 60s

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It's easy to be nostalgic about the lost buildings of Worcester, but many of the demolition works that took place in the late 1950s and early 1960s were as a result of the 1957 Housing Act, which called for houses to be fit for human habitation and led to around 3,500 houses in Worcester being condemned as unsanitary and unsafe.

What followed was the mass demolition of many areas, including the tenement houses of the Blockhouse, Tybridge Street and Dolday. The following photographs were recently brought to light by the family of Tom Marsden, Chief Inspector of Public Health during this time and provide a window in to the conditions of those areas of the city that were soon to be demolished.

1. A lovely vintage scene here of a local shop, with classic Morris Oxford parked outside. Where is this?

1 point

Infirmary Walk

Hylton Road

Sansome Walk

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2. Another local shop here, this one the Snack bar in Tybridge Street. What is the name of the pub just showing on the left of the picture?

1 point

The Bull Inn

The Bell Inn

The Bush Inn

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3. A little boy makes his way to school in this picture. Identifying the location of these images can sometimes be challenging where whole streets have since disappeared. This image has been identified though as Blockhouse Street, due to its position in relation to the church behind. Which church is it?

1 point

St Peter's

St Paul's

St Martin's

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4. Demolition in progress! This image shows wholescale demolition taking place of the cramped tenements houses of Spring Gardens. The large houses in the background still stand today. Where are they?

1 point

Lark HIll

Bath Road

Britannia Square

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5. Nearby, was the local pub, on the corner of Spring Gardens and Loves Grove. What was the name of the pub?

1 point

The Plumber's Arms

The Bricklayer's Arms

The Carpenter's Arms

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6. In this scene, the local shop appears to have been empty for some time. What street is shown here?

1 point

Barbourne Terrace

The Tything

Severn Terrace

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7. Another scene of neglect here, where once a pretty row of cottages stood. Where was this?

1 point

Wyld's Lane

Perry Wood Walk

London Road

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8. Here's a building that many will remember though taken from a less familiar viewpoint. What is the large building?

1 point

The Public Hall

St George's Catholic Church

The Victoria Institute

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9. Some rebuilding taking place in the foreground here, but also a brand new building going up in the background. Which multistorey car park is being constructed here?

1 point

Lychgate

St Martin's Gate

Blackfriars

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10. Final question, and this one showing the bustling community that was once the Blockhouse area of the city. Which street was this?

1 point

St Paul's Street

Foundry Street

Carden Street

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