We’ll defend our battle sites from developers (From Worcester News)

We’ll defend our battle sites from developers

9:10am Tuesday 26th August 2008 in Local By Richard Vernalls, @rvernallsWN #worcsnews

CIVIL war enthusiasts are keeping a watchful eye over some of Worcester’s most important historic sites.

A newly-formed group, brought together through a shared passion for the English Civil War, will monitor several of the city’s key locations of the conflict.

So far, the handful of volunteer battlefield wardens have been assigned to different areas including Powick and Lower Wick, where the listed ancient monument Old Powick Bridge is located, and Cromwell’s trenches at Ronkswood.

The scheme has been driven by the Battle of Worcester Society, which was set up in 2006 to raise awareness about the decisive engagement of 1651 between Oliver Cromwell’s Parliamentarian forces and those loyal to King Charles II.

Dilip Sarkar, society founder member, said: “It all came out of the deplorable state to which Old Powick Bridge had got into.

“The battle was fought over a large area and most of it is now built over. The areas that haven’t been built on need looking after.”

A recent English Heritage report listed Worcester’s battlefield as “at risk”, and although Mr Sarkar does not agree with all its findings he believes monitoring is needed because of threats from vandalism, neglect and housing development. Wardens will regularly report back to the society and could form a key part of a future battlefield tourist trail taking in the sprawling site. Any important concerns can be raised at Battle of Worcester Partnership meetings which have representatives from both the city and county councils, the re-enactment group the Sealed Knot and the University of Worcester.

At the moment, wardens will cover the 17th-century earthworks and former watercourse known as Cromwell’s trenches in Perry Wood at Ronkswood. Other areas include Fort Royal, Kempsey and the surrounding areas.

For more details, go to battleofworcestersociety.org.uk or telephone Bernard Mills on 07767 692957.