Voices of Worcester - The Making of a University

Discover the people, decisions and milestones that transformed Worcester from a post-war teacher training college into a thriving modern university.

Tony Bates – 1970s-2000s – change afoot 

Tony Bates taught at Worcester between 1971 and 2003. Tony started his working life in the army but after being hit by an avalanche whilst doing research on a glacier in Switzerland, he spent a while recuperating and then moved into teaching, first in Birmingham and later West Sussex.  In 1971, Tony applied for a post at Worcester as a tutor of geography and education. 

In this clip, Tony talks about the relaxed atmosphere at Worcester when he first arrived, and describes the institution’s metamorphosis from humble beginnings to an international player with a strong vision, as well as some of the bumps in the road along the way. 

John Yelland – 1990s – from rubble to riches

John Yelland’s connection with the university spans 3 decades as Governor, Chairman of Governors and President of the College of Fellows.  A successful accountant, John was co-opted onto the College’s Audit Committee in 1992 soon after it became a self-governing body. In 1994 he became a Governor, and in 1999 he was asked by the Principal Dorma Urwin to become Chair of Governors. 

In this extract, John discusses his appointment as Chairman, as well as the first time he saw a pile of rubble that would one day bear his name. 

Malcolm Armstrong – 1980s – the sporting revolution

Malcolm Armstrong was the GB National Rowing Coach before coming to the Worcester College of Higher Education as a Senior Lecturer in Physical Education in 1980. His real interest lay in developing sports science, and in 1983 Malcolm became the College’s youngest Head of Division with a remit to rethink Worcester’s approach to the study of sport. 

In this extract, Malcolm discusses how Sport grew from humble beginnings to become one of the institution’s most successful subjects. 

John Yelland – 2000s – seismic shifts

In this clip, John discusses how the University came to acquire the old Worcester Royal infirmary site, and, in so doing, launched the City Campus development plan – the most ambitious in the institution’s history. 

He also discusses the origins of The Hive project, the first time he saw the eye-popping architectural plans for that landmark gold facade, and the excitement everybody felt whilst working on the project.  

Anne Hannaford – 2000s - how The Hive happened 

Anne Hannaford came to Worcester in 1998 as Head of Library Services. During the following decade Anne had a significant role in the creation of The Hive. 

In this clip, Anne talks about the trip to California that provided the inspiration for The Hive, the complexities of mapping out how Europe’s first joint public and university library would work for everyone, and the thinking behind the library’s unique mixed-use model that brings the whole community together. 

Bill Davies – 2010s – law at Worcester  

When Bill Davies arrived at Worcester in 2015 to establish a new Law course, there was no existing programme, no staff team and no dedicated facilities. Working with colleagues across the University, he helped build a new academic subject area that has continued to grow and develop, supporting students preparing for careers in law, policing, and criminal justice.

In this clip, Bill reflects on what attracted him to Worcester and the challenge of designing a Law course from the ground up.

Piet Grobler – 2009 – illustration, internationalism, and building success 

Piet Grobler had a career as an illustrator, graphic designer and tutor in South Africa before moving to the UK in 2009. After a short period in a part-time post at Anglia Ruskin University, Piet accepted a job as the first Lecturer in Illustration at the University of Worcester. 

Here Piet talks about building the Illustration course from scratch, opening the International Centre for the Picture Book in Society, and the inspiration behind the internationally acclaimed Migrations project. 

Professor Sarah Greer – 2010s – building on success 

Professor Sarah Greer joined the University of Worcester in 2015 to take up the position of Pro Vice Chancellor. It was a key stage in the University’s development, as the institution was coming to the end of the largest period of growth in its history, and beginning to plan the next great chapter. 

In this clip, Sarah talks about her role in helping to drive the University’s next phase of growth and development, particularly in law and medicine, as well as her very earliest memories of visiting Worcester as a child.