Barker, Battle, Bennetts

On 3 September it was the 373rd anniversary of the Battle of Worcester.  The Battle of Worcester Society and Worcester Re-Enactors came to our Faithful City and set up a living history camp at Bennetts Willow Farm. Visitors and myself were able to get a real sense of what the battle might have been like and how the soldiers fought.

Bennetts is on the same ground as where the battle concluded and is the only working farm in Worcester. Knowing this I will be switching my milk home delivery, from a national supplier to Bennetts, as our local farm. We have some great local enterprise in Worcester and I think it is really important to support local where we can.

It was an honour to join the Annual Drumhead Ceremony to mark the anniversary of the battle, marching to the top of Fort Royal Hill, alongside re-enactors, officers and historians. A short ceremony was held and it was great to see all the residents and visitors present. Muskets were fired and luckily for me, I was prepared from the Living History event the day before and covered my ears just in time!

Afterwards we went back to the Cardinal’s Hat pub in Friar Street and enjoyed an ale and some music from a folk singer which included songs about Worcester. Thank you to the singer and the staff for their hospitality.

Later in the week I was able to draw a raffle with the help of Barker the Dog. Barker the Dog has been created by the Worcester Swan Sanctuary and recently has been seen out and about in the city informing and entertaining residents and visitors, on the importance of keeping dogs on leads near swans.

Find out more information on the Swan Food Project website.