Learning about battles that changed our history - video (From Worcester News)

Learning about battles that changed our history - video

10:58am Monday 28th March 2011 in News By Alicia Kelly, @aliciakellyWN #worcsnews

MUSKET firing and pike drills were enjoyed by visitors at a festival to celebrate Worcestershire’s rich mediaeval heritage.

The displays were part of the hands-on Three Battles Festival which was held at the Commandery on Saturday and Sunday.

The Battle of Worcester society, the Tewkesbury Battlefield society and the Simon De Montford society joined forces for the event which focuses on the battles of Worcester, Evesham and Tewkesbury.

Worcester re-enactors dressed as Civil War soldiers to put youngsters through their paces for a 17th-century military drill and showed them how soldiers may have set up their bases around a campfire.

Visitors could also join in with the decorating of mediaeval banners, listen to songs from the period, watch quill writing and play games that would have been enjoyed in a 17th-century tavern.

Kenneth Potts, the sculptor responsible for the Elgar statue, was on hand to display his battle of Worcester statue and plaques while Ian Blyth from the Sealed Knot led displays of musket firing in the grounds of the Commandery.

The three societies all had stands with information available on the historical era spanning the years 1265 to 1651.

Brian Bullock, from the Battle of Worcester society, said: “These are three battles that changed the course of history.

“The societies have given the academic information about what they are doing and the re-enactors gave the practical side of how people lived.

“It’s about getting things here the people can see and touch.

“It’s a hands-on experience. We did it a few years ago as a society but it’s lapsed but hopefully it will get to be an annual event again.

"If people find it interesting they can join the societies and help them because we are all looking for more members at the moment.”

Among those who took part in a pike drill was the Kear family, from Droitwich.

Becky Kear said: “We haven’t brought the kids down to the Commandery before so we thought we’d come and have a look.

“It’s good. It’s nice the way they get the children involved. They’ve been really good with them.”

• The Battle of Worcester took place in 1651, the Battle of Evesham was in 1265 and the Battle of Tewkesbury was in 1471.