MORE than 2,000 years of history will come to life at Worcester’s Commandery next month.
A weekend full of ancient Greeks, Viking warriors, the two World Wars and plenty more will be on show on February 14 and 15 from 10am until 5pm on both days.
Organised by The Commandery in partnership with The Worcester Re-enactors, more than 150 re-enactors bring history to life with living history encampments, military drill displays, crafts and vintage vehicles, in one of Worcester’s oldest and most beautiful buildings, most famously the Royalist Headquarters during the Battle of Worcester, the final and deciding battle of the English Civil War.
Living History in Worcester is part of the Love Worcester Heritage Festival, a week of events in heritage venues across the city.
Helen Large, marketing and events manager at Museums Worcestershire, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be hosting the Living History weekend at The Commandery.
“It is the perfect setting for 2,000 years of history to come to life.
“We would like to thank all those involved, in particular The Worcester Re-enactors. A part of the Love Worcester Heritage Festival, Living History in Worcester is a key event in the city’s annual calendar and we look forward to welcoming residents and visitors from further afield.”
A ‘walking bus’ will be in operation from The Guildhall to The Commandery, accompanied by a costumed guide, on the hour from 11am to 3pm on both days of the event.
The event is free for all Commandery cardholders and for those who bring evidence that they pay their council tax to Worcester City Council.
There will also be Living History activities at Worcester Cathedral and Tudor House Museum on Friar Street.
Brian Bullock, from Worcester Re-enactors, said: “The Living History event offers the chance to celebrate history in the heart of Worcester.
“The re-enactors all come along on a voluntary basis, are extremely enthusiastic about the period they portray and have a wealth of knowledge for visitors to tap into. Come along and join in.”
For more information about the Living History at The Commandery event visit www.museumsworcestershire.org.uk or see The Commandery’s Facebook page.
Over the weekend visitors to the Commandery can encounter indoor and outdoor entertainment including:
17th Century, Napoleonic, WWI and WWII encampments
World War II RAF emergency operations room
Victorian magic lantern show
Fashion across the ages
Military and vintage vehicles
1940s public house, The Wheatsheaf open all weekend
Elizabethan surgeon display with demonstrations of surgical techniques
Early Victorians – Soup Kitchen for the London poor
Period dance displays
