IT was the largest event since the Roundhead/Cavalier set-to in 1651, which wasn’t really on the same page, that Worcester has ever hosted.

For by the time the Worcestershire Exhibition of 1882 closed its doors, nearly 223,000 people had visited.

Organisers were spoilt for choice for exhibitors for the city and county had some of the top names of the time: saucemakers Lea and Perrins, Royal Worcester Porcelain, Fownes Gloves, Hill and Evans, the country’s largest vinegar works and McNaught and Co, which made some of the finest horse drawn carriages in the land, to name but some.

The exhibition brought Worcestershire people together like never before. On show were old masters from many local collections as well as modern day works by Brook, Leader and others, plus historic relics and documents never previously put on public display.

On opening day bells were rung, flags were flown and the streets were decorated with streamers and bunting. Crowds lined the roads to watch the great and good of the county arrive and to admire the parading soldiers, brass bands, mayors and other dignitaries.