March will mark exactly 357 years since the city’s battle (From Worcester News)

March will mark exactly 357 years since the city’s battle

11:10am Tuesday 2nd September 2008 in Local

GHOSTS from Worcester’s Civil War past will march tomorrow, marking exactly 357 years since the bloody Battle of Worcester.

To commemorate the 1651 clash – which saw Oliver Cromwell’s New Model Army defeat King Charles II’s Royalists, ending nine years of conflict – a procession of costumed re-enactors, heritage enthusiasts and civic dignitaries will walk from the Commandery to Fort Royal Park.

At 7pm, in the park where Cromwell dramatically turned the Royalist cannons onto the Faithful City, there will be a commemorative service to formally mark the anniversary and remember lost lives.

Members of the public are invited to attend free of charge. At the Guildhall in the High Street, education company Discover History will look more widely at the Civil War era from 1642-1651.

Archaeologist Malcolm Atkin will be showcasing original Civil War artefacts such as cannon balls, local author Anne Bradford will tell ghost stories and Merrie Noyse will perform period music.

Visitors will also be able to handle 17th-century weapons and talk to experts. Again, the event is free.

For more about the Commandery anniversary service, call 01905 361821.

To enquire about Discover History’s Civil War Day, call 07949 222137.