WORK to piece back together parts of Worcester’s ancient city walls has started.
Specialist stonemasons have been commissioned to repair and clean up the city’s mediaeval sandstone defences as part of a joint project between Worcester City Council, English Heritage and the National Trust.
The work is the latest stage of an ongoing conservation programme for the wall, parts of which date back to the 13th century.
Sections being worked on include an area which is recognised as a scheduled ancient monument, such as Stonehenge.
The Worcester News previously reported that Paul Harding, manager of Discover History, was dismayed by the bad state of the wall, which was suffering from crumbling stonework, poor cement pointing, vegetation and litter.
Progress had been hampered by the fact the wall has several different owners – some private – who needed to sign contracts for the work to go ahead.
Restoration can now continue on public parts and some privately owned parts with a £3,000 grant from the National Trust and £1,500 from English Heritage.
A second phase is due to take place next year on privately owned sections further north, with £7,500 from English Heritage.
Mr Harding said he was delighted by the transformation which had already taken place.
He said: “Worcester has always had a wall around it.
“The old coat of arms has a castle and that refers to Worcester being a walled city.
"The earliest reference was to an Iron Age enclosure that went around the cathedral area and to Pump Street.
“The Romans built an enclosure as well and then the Anglo Saxons added to it up to Broad Street.
“Pretty much all of our tours go up to the city wall. It’s an attraction in its own right. You don’t have to pay to see it and you can trace it around Worcester.
“The city walls have protected us for hundreds of years and it’s now our turn to protect them. The stonemasons are doing a fine job.”
• A Worcester City Council spokesman said work would stop during the colder weather as the stonemasons were repointing the wall with traditional lime mortar, which can be damaged by frost if not fully set. It will continue when warmer weather returns in spring.
