Local stories from local people
As you will have gathered by now, we work closely with the local community, community groups, charities and schools.
This gives us the opportunity to chat to local ‘characters’ (heroes) in one or more of those community groups. The fact they were often in more than one shows how dedicated they are to get involved with the community and environment …and who wouldn’t.
- Graham Fowler remembers painting football
Graham Fowler remembers painting a wall.
Walking the dog along the tow-path as we do most mornings, we happened accross the lovely Graham Fowler.
Now Graham is one of those gently spoken fountain of information and ideas.
It is thanks to Graham that we are working on the Cut-to-Canal project.
He is known for his work with the Worcester Canal Group.
Now as you walk north along the tow-path from, say, Lansdowne Park, you wander past Flagg Meadows, up to the bridge by Merrimans Hill Road, you walk under the bridge to see the artwork of when Worcester beat Liverpool in the FA cup.
That artwork was done by Peter, a former committee member of the ARA, and Graham Fowler.
…with his thumb!
When talking about the picture, Graham was saying when they were painting it some local gents walked past and talked about how they would sit on the bank of the canal (the Merriman’s Court side) and watch the match from there.
Of course there used to be a pub on the left (where the new flats start) that was called “The Cavalier Tavern” (another local hint at the Civil War). It was closed just before the flats were built in around 2012. Though I never went there it was meant to be a fun pub that went down hill a bit towards the end of it’s life and that of the football ground.
Where the flats were used to be the Worcester City football ground hence the artwork under the bridge.
Actually, when leaving Lansdowne Park along the tow-path, as you go under the bridge you will see artworks of animals on the North-East wall and these were done by Graham-inspired local school.
As I said, Graham is a mine of information and when asked about whether we could do more for the enviuronment along the tow-path, he said …
“Ooh, a lot of the land was, at least, owned by ‘Scrappy Harris’. Don’t worry, he knows he was called that I’m not sure why though.”
Graham Fowler (Oct 2023)
Another local legendary figure enters the story – ‘Scrappy Harris’
“Ask Clare …she will tell you about ‘scrappy Harris'”
Clare – another incredibly pro-active local – enters the story but we will talk with Clare later.
Chestnut Community Action Group 