'Range of activities' to mark 375th anniversary of Worcester battle - chair of Joint Museums Committee
The Battle of Worcester took place on the 3 September 1651 and is having its anniversary marked with a series of events through the year
A programme of activities designed to commemorate the significant anniversary of a 17th century conflict in Worcestershire will create "many opportunities for people to learn about it", the chair of the Joint Museums Committee has said.
The Battle of Worcester took place on the 3 September 1651 and is known as the final conflict in a number of civil wars between the King and Parliament.
It saw the Parliamentary army led by Oliver Cromwell defeat the Royalist army who were under the command of Charles II.
To honour it's 375th anniversary, a series of events, exhibitions and experiences are to take place throughout the year.
An official launch of Civil War 375 by Visit Worcestershire and Museums Worcestershire - who run the County Museum at Hartlebury Castle, Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum, and the Commandery, took place last Friday (6 March).
Adrian Gregson is the chair of the Joint Museums Committee that's made up of Worcester city and Worcestershire county councillors which oversees Museums Worcestershire, he said he's excited for the events and it is key to remember events like this from the past for a number of reasons.
There's a wide range of activities that we're looking forward to," he said.
"One of the most important (reasons to remember it) is that if you don't understand what has happened in history, then you can't really predict or plan for how you operate in the future.
"So in my view as an historian, certainly any activity which raises issues from events in history, things that we can learn about, things that we can find that are new even, and we put those into practice in the present day."
The start of the English Civil War began in 1642 with the Battle of Worcester Society stating "the clash at Powick on the outskirts of the city in September 1642 marked the start of the serious fighting" before what is considered the first battle called the Battle of Edgehill in the October.
"One of the special things is placing Worcester at around the heart of the civil war," councillor Gregson said.
"There's going to be so many opportunities for people to learn about it and to bring in new people who won't have appreciated or experienced the living history of the horses thundering up Friar Street and so on and so forth, we can bring this period of history to life."
On the impact the events could have on the economy he added: "We're keen to draw attention to Worcester and its heritage and history across the whole range of areas that that we're involved in.
"So with this important opportunity, what we're looking for is to see a rise in visitor numbers in the Commandery and the local visitor attractions."
An event is set to take place later on in the year on the 5 September to mark the actual date of the anniversary.