KIDDERMINSTER CIVIC SOCIETY PLAQUES
AROUND THE TOWN
1. The Civic Society has erected a number of plaques since its formation in 1993. Pride of place must go to the Piano Building on Weavers Wharf. The Society was heavily criticised for saving the building by getting it listed in 2003. The Piano Building was described as "useless". Now it is a showcase asset of the town.
2. Not far away another plaque has been placed on Slingfield Mill, now occupied by a Premier Inn Hotel and an empty retail store.
3. In Lower Mill Street, near the bridge over the Stour into the Bull Ring, is a plaque commemorating Frank Freeman's Dance Club. Here in the late 1960s played many bands destined to be famous. Recently a vinyl disc has been released of a recording made by John Peel at the club of a gig played by Captain Beefheart and his magic Band. The plaque is reproduced from the inside cover of the Captain Beefheart vinyl disc issued in 2013.
4. A plaque has been erected at the ring road end of Park Lane. It can be found at the foot of the steps leading down from the historic Mount Skipet commemorating where Kidderminster's Brussels carpet industry began.
5. On the only surviving part of the workhouse at 1 Sutton Road - the former Board of Guardians building.
6. At Summer Place Row commemorating one of the nation's earliest building societies. Blakebrook near the Green
7. In Mason Road at the home of one of the town's leading carpet pioneers, John Broom, then known as Blakebrook Cottage, later as The Cedars, but better known now as Kemp Hospice.
To view more information about each plaque click on the appropriate Image
8. Caldwall Tower in Castle Road
9. Harveys Vaults in Coventry Street, near the entrance to the Swan Centre closest to Blackwell Street.
10. On the wall of the Old Infirmary near the top of Upper Mill Street. The building has now been converted into flats.
11. Our most recent Plaque can be found in the foyer of the Museum of Carpet in Green Street (adjoining the Morrison Superstore).
Plaques around Kidderminster
installed by other organisations
12. This Plaque can be found on an apartment building built on the site of the demolished Market Tavern in Ray Mercer Way off Comberton Hill.
13. This Plaque can be found high up on one of the pillars of the Falling Sands viaduct close to the canal. It was installed by the Severn Valley Railway. There are Information boards nearby. Access this viaduct either on foot by the canal footpath heading in the direction of Stourport from Kidderminster OR from the end of Lisle Avenue where you can park your car.
14. This Plaque was initiated by The Kidderminster Heritage Opportunities Group (HOGs) and is found in Blackwell Street on a building that was once the local Telephone Exchange built on the site of the birthplace of Sir Rowland Hill of Penny Post fame.
15. This Plaque was initiated by The Kidderminster Heritage Opportunities Group (HOGs) and commemorates the birth site of Josiah Mason, an industrialist and philanthropist who founded Mason College the predecessor of Birmingham University. In Upper Mill Street a little below the junction with Mill Lane.
