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Fort Royal to it's Former Glory

We want to return historic park to its former glory

6:10am Friday 24th June 2011 in Local Photograph of the Author By Flora Drury , @floradruryWN #worcsnews
CASH INJECTION: Fort Royal Park which has huge historical significance. CASH INJECTION: Fort Royal Park which has huge historical significance.
AN ambitious vision of what a neglected Worcester park could be has been outlined.
We reported how Fort Royal Park is to get a much needed cash injection earlier this month.
The park – once named the eighth best park in the country by a national newspaper – has become a little tired over the years.
The views across the city and the Malverns – which clinched the position – may still be there, but so are crumbling walls, overgrown areas and a playground which one resident said “wouldn’t look out of place in Beirut”.
Worcester City Council intend to use some of the £1.7 million surplus from last year’s budget to revamp the park.
As yet it is unclear what form this will take but if Cathedral councillor Jabba Riaz and Ben Humphrey, chairman of the Battle of Worcester Society, have their way the park – which has such huge historical significance – will be restored to its former glory and become an asset to the city.
Coun Riaz said: “This park is such an historic piece of land, rich with Worcester’s history, but people in Worcester don’t know about it.”
Mr Humphrey said: “The city council have done a fantastic job in turning the park around from what it was a few years ago – but now it is time to go that step further.”
Coun Riaz is clear this is about more than just getting a new play area and rebuilt walls at Fort Royal to keep local people happy.
Both speak enthusiastically about the possibilities for the whole of Worcester were Fort Royal to undergo the transformation they would like to see.
They would like the park to become a starting point which will make Worcester a “must-see”, on every American tourists trip to the UK.
After all, this is the ground on which John Adams and Thomas Jefferson – the second and third presidents of America – stood and looked out over Worcester.
Afterwards, Mr Adams wrote in his diary: “And do Englishmen so soon forget the ground where liberty was fought for?”, referring to the hill’s importance in the Civil War.
It is a question which still resonates today – the only monument to the park’s role is a small plaque on the wall, splattered with bird mess.
It is hardly a fitting tribute to a hill which was so key to the final battle of the Civil War. It was from here that Cromwell’s army turned the Royalist guns on Worcester and went on to win the battle.
In order for Coun Riaz and Mr Humphrey to get what they want – which would include statues of the presidents – they not only need investment, but also the city to get enthusiastic about the project.
Mr Humphrey said: “We have a lot to offer – we just need to make more of it. We really need to push the importance of this place to Americans but they are not going to come over here and enthuse about it if we do not love it first.”
Coun Riz said: “This is going to take big vision. We should be doing guided tours – hundreds of tourists should be coming here.”
If resources were unlimited, they would love £20 million to create their vision for the park and surrounding area – which would include a memorial to the old Sidbury gate.
Mr Humphrey and Coun Riaz also talk wistfully about rebuilding the fort which once stood on top of the man-made hill, with more than a glint in their eyes.
In reality, a lot of what they would like to see cannot be built because of stretched purses but they are hopeful they can make a start.
Mr Humphrey said: “This is a long term investment, but everyone could benefit.”

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