Encounter

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November 2010

Encounter
The newsletter of the Mercia Region of the Battlefields Trust

Introduction Tony Spicer writes, the Battle of Worcester
Although we are heading toward the end of (1651) walk on 24 October was part of the
the walking season we had a good spate of St Peter's Festival at Battenhall in
events in October - Northampton, Edgehill Worcester, an annual local community
and Worcester - which you can read about event. Last year the walk explored Red Hill
below. There has been a disappointingly and Perry Wood. This year, with a good
low turnout on some of the walks this year, attendance of about 25 people, it went in
so it would be helpful if members could the other direction, initially into Battenhall
come forward with ideas for the walks they Park. Here Cromwell ordered Lambert to
would like to go on in 2011. Also in this send more troops to assist with his bridge of
issue are details of threats to some of the boats operation and initially Lambert
regions battlefields and details on the refused due to concerns he would be unable
Mercia Region AGM. to support the Parliamentary troops at
Redhill and Perry Wood.
Events
On the 10 October Mike Ingram led a small
but select band around his interpretation of
the battle of Northampton (1460). There
was positive feedback from those attending.
On 17 October Simon Marsh, ably assisted
by Keith Roberts and John Tincey, led a
walk across Edgehill (1642) for the Trust
and the Ratley Local History Society. There
was a good turnout of around 25 people and
this was matched by almost perfect
‘Edgehill’ weather with the sun shining and
The Battlefield of Edgehill from Castle Inn
a slight frost on the ground. The walk began
at the Trust information panel at the Castle
From Battenhall Park we crossed the A38
Inn, which provides one of the best views of
into Cherry Orchard and down to the east
the battlefield. Although battlefield access is
bank of the Severn to the confluence with
restricted, the walk skirted the Royalist left
the river Teme, where Cromwell built his
flank past the village of Radway. As well as
bridge of boats. We continued along the
talking about the battle itself there was
footpath to the Ketch Viewpoint from where
discussion about the different ‘styles’ of
the battlefield on the west side of the
fighting and what happened on the Royalist
Severn could be seen and the positions of
left during the battle. There was also some
Powick church and the old Powick Bridge
audience participation as the walkers
identified. On the way back to St Peter's
learned to counter-march by file as
Church, the weather, which had been fine
musketeers of the period would have done.
for most of the walk, suddenly changed into
The last stop was in Radway church where
heavy rain but by then we had covered all
the memorial to Henry Kingsmill, a Royalist
the main points of interest.
killed in the battle, was viewed before the
steep climb to the Castle Inn for lunch.

7, Little Park, Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire, HP27 0HS.
Tel: 01844-274112 Email: sifial@hotmail.com
Stow (1646) Battlefield Project their duties at present. Simon Marsh was
The project is still trying to establish re-elected as Chairman, Jonathan Smith as
archaeological support before making a Treasurer, Harvey Watson as Events
Heritage Lottery Fund bid. Tim Norris, the Secretary, and Gregg Archer as Regional
Trust representative at Stow has been doing Secretary. It was decided though that
sterling work getting local letters of support Simon would be hand over some day-to-day
and the Mercia region AGM agreed a part aspects to Gregg. These arrangements
match funding £250 donation in the event would continue with a view to a more formal
the bid to HLF is successful. handover of responsibilities to willing
volunteers next year. Anyone interested in
Edgecote (1469) standing for the position of Chairman or
Trust Chairman Frank Baldwin has written Treasurer should contact Simon who will be
to the Secretary of State for Transport and happy to discuss.
other MPs about the threat from
the proposed High Speed rail link to the Battlefield Trust Events
Edgcote battlefield site. Michael Rayner, Forthcoming Mercia events for your diary
former National Co-ordinator for the Trust, include:
has agreed to take on the campaigning role
Edgecote (1469) Sunday 28 November
for Edgcote using his wide experience
2010. The Medieval Siege Society will lead
fighting battlefield development at Blore a walk over the battlefield Start at 1pm
Heath and Tewkesbury. from The Griffin Inn, Culworth Road,
Chipping Warden. Details at:
Naseby (1645) http://www.medieval-siegesociety.co.uk/events.aspx
English Heritage and the Trust continue to
express concern about the proposed Ashdown (871), Sunday 9 January
construction of a wind farm at Kelmarsh 2011. David Buxton will lead a walk
around the site of Alfred the Great’s first
adjacent to the battlefield at Naseby. Whilst
victory over the Danes. Meet at 2pm outside
this is not on the registered battlefield and ‘The Bell Inn’ in the village of Aldworth.
with no battle related archaeology located (Stout footwear and warm clothes are
on the proposed site, development there advisable) Contact David on 01869 244031
still affects site lines on the battlefield.
2nd St.Albans (1461) 550th Anniversary
Northampton (1460) Saturday-Sunday 26/27 February 2011.
Planning permission has been given for new A weekend of events culminating in a 15th
development on the Ransome Road Century Requiem Mass in St Saviours
Church, which stands on the battlefield.
brownfield site in Northampton, which lies
Contact Peter Burley on 01727 831413 for
on the registered battlefield near the river further information.
Nene. The Trust has engaged with English
Heritage and the West Northamptonshire Stow (1646) Tuesday 5 April 2011 Civil
Development Corporation, arguing the need War evening organised by Stow Civic
for more proactive archaeological activity Society. 7.30pm in St. Edwards Hall, Stow.
Julian Humphries will be speaking. Contact
than the watching brief currently proposed.
Simon for more details.
Replies on this challenge are awaited. The
area is important as it is either the site of Tewkesbury (1471) Sunday April 24
the battle - if the traditional interpretation is 2011. Meet at 11.00 am. Queen Margaret’s
accepted - or is likely to be ground over Camp 2 hour walk to Tredington and back.
which the Lancastrians routed if the English Contact Steve Goodchild on 01684 294939.
Heritage interpretation is correct. For further information on these events
please contact Harvey Watson on 07818
Mercia Branch AGM 853385 or harvey.watson@tiscali.co.uk
There was a low turnout of Mercia members
at the AGM. It was decided by those present Simon Marsh and Gregg Archer
that the current officers would continue with

7, Little Park, Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire, HP27 0HS.
Tel: 01844-274112 Email: sifial@hotmail.com