6:20pm Friday 26th March 2010
By Lauren Rogers
THE people of Worcester are being urged to decorate their homes and businesses with oak leaves to follow a time-honoured English tradition.
Oak Apple Day has been celebrated throughout England since 1660 and was a national holiday until 1859.
It marks the day that King Charles II took back the crown and restored the monarchy, taking its name from the story that Charles hid in an oak tree to escape Oliver Cromwell’s army after the Battle of Worcester in 1651.
Worcester history enthusiasts are hoping people will mark the 350th anniversary of the celebration on Saturday, May 29, by taking part in a living history event.
While most of the traditional ceremonies died out during the 20th century, Worcester’s celebrations were resurrected in 2004 by local education company Discover History.
Every year since, re-enactors have taken to the streets to remind people how different Britain would be if the Restoration never happened.
This year Discover History wants people, especially those working in shops along Worcester High Street, to get involved by decorating their properties with oak leaves.
Paul Harding, from Discover History, said: “We’re hoping this year the event will be much bigger with oak leaf decorations all over the city. There will even be a visit by King Charles II to commemorate not only Oak Apple Day but the restoration of our monarchy that we have today.”
Anyone wishing to take part in the 350th anniversary celebrations of Oak Apple Day can call Discover History on 07949 222137 or e-mail discoverhistory@aol.com.
The main Oak Apple Day events will take place at the Guildhall, Worcester High Street. Artefacts will be on display from Worcestershire Records Office, the Royal Society and your Worcester News’s sister paper Berrow’s Worcester Journal – the oldest newspaper in the world. Representatives from Help for Heroes will take part, and there will be specially themed walking tours of the city.
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