FROM W G Grace’s bat to David Beckham’s boots – a unique exhibition charting 100 glorious years of British sporting history is being staged at Worcester Cathedral this month.
British Sporting Heroes runs from August 7 to 30 and will feature 140 exhibits from 10 different sports.
Loaned by major sports personalities, museums and private collectors, items on show include the Hesketh car driven by James Hunt when he won the Formula One World Championship in 1976, Sir Bobby Robson’s international shirts and cap and the FA Cup and Barclays Premier League Trophy.
Sports fans can also view replicas of the Ashes Urn, Calcutta Cup and Open Championship Claret Jug plus three original Cheltenham Gold Cups.
There will be visits by sports stars, including England World Cup winner George Cohen and Midlands football legend Cyrille Regis, throughout the three weeks.
Running alongside the exhibition on College Green are a wide range of free community multi-sports activities.
These include the ECB Cricket Factory Roadshow, a multi-skills activity circuit organised by the Sports Partnership Herefordshire and Worcestershire, a demonstration by world golf trick shot champion Geoff Swain and a cricket masterclass with former Worcestershire bowler Neal Radford.
While celebrating the past, the exhibition also has an eye on the future with groundbreaking plans for a community sports village to the north of the city on show for the first time.
The scheme, proposed by Sir Bert Millichip Sports, will include a second home for academy for Worcestershire County Cricket Club, a championship golf course, the first Sir Bobby Robson Football Academy, tennis courts, a 50 metre swimming pool and education and medical facilities. Plans also include a plaza with cafes and shops.
Funds raised from the exhibition, which will be held in the nave, will contribute to the upkeep of the cathedral, an iconic image in British sport as the photogenic backdrop to Worcestershire CCC’s New Road home. Daily and Sunday services will continue uninterrupted.
Opening times are 10am to 5pm from Monday to Saturday and from 12.30pm to 5pm on Sunday. Tickets are available online at www.sportingheroes.org.uk or on the door. Prices are adult £7.50, concessions £6, child £5 and family £20. Under fives are admitted free.
