English history brought to life on city’s streets (From Worcester News)

English history brought to life on city’s streets

6:00am Tuesday 23rd February 2010 in Video By Flora Drury, @floradruryWN #worcsnews

PEOPLE from all ages and of all ages took over Worcester at the weekend for one of the biggest re-enactment events the city has seen.

More than 100 of Worcester’s re-enactors took part in their sixth annual Living History day at locations across the city on Saturday.

Soldiers from the First World War with rifles guarded the entry to the Guildhall, alongside soldiers in full military regalia from the early 19th century.

Meanwhile, members of the RAF from the Second World War commandeered Tudor House to plan their operations as cannons were let off on College Green – a new element for this year.

“They were amazing,” said Libby Cutler, who works at Tudor House, Friar Street.

“There were so many people taking part and it was all very authentic.”

About 2,500 people visited the show, which was free to the public even though it cost thousands to put on, giving adults and children alike the chance to experience history in a whole new way.

There were also talks given by experts in their fields at Worcester Cathedral, covering hundreds of years’ worth of fascinating history – from religion and magic in the time of the Tudors and Stuarts to crime and punishment in Victorian Herefordshire.

“We would like to thank the academics who spoke,” said Brian Bullock, who organised the event with Roger Fairman. “The whole show was amazing.

“It gives us such a buzz to see the public interacting with it.

“We are already planning next year’s, thinking about what we can do to improve it. We try to bring in a new element every year, to keep people coming back.”

The next living history event will be at Spetchley Park on the weekend of August 14 and 15 this year. For more information, visit lhiw.org.uk.