STAR guest at last weekend’s Battle of Evesham festival, Sir Tony Robinson, has praised the community for its efforts in recreating the town’s history and ‘profoundly important battle’.
The 760th anniversary event saw more than 800 reenactors portraying 13th Century knights on horseback, soldiers, and supporters, making it the largest gathering of that era in Europe.
The occasion attracted 60,000 people over three days to watch battle recreations, visit living history camps, and attend talks.
This included one from the iconic TV actor and presenter, well-known for bringing the joy of archaeology to a mass audience as the face of Channel 4’s Time Team.
Sir Tony joins in the fun. Picture by Lise Evans
“I think it is really important and rather wonderful that ‘ordinary people’ were asserting themselves and taking charge of their own history.
“We humans do tend to forget very quickly, and we forget battles enormously quickly,” he told the Observer.
“It was such good fun. It was great to see so many people engaged and really devoting an awful lot of their own time to trying to recreate it.
“The thing about the Battle of Evesham that is of importance is that it led indirectly to the birth of parliament, and that’s something we all have a share in.
“To know that it probably wouldn’t have happened, or a least not in the way that it did if it hadn’t been for Evesham, is quite salutary.”
One of the ’13th Century’ soldiers who took part in Saturday’s grand parade. Picture by Lise Evans
His thoughts were echoed by Evesham newcomer Anita Starling, who was in the crowd of spectators watching the main battle reenactment for the first time on Saturday.
Anita Starling and partner Wayne Robinson. Picture by Lise Evans
Anita Starling, who moved from London with her partner in January, after looking at several other towns, including Tewkesbury, before settling on Evesham.
“It was overwhelmingly magnificent. I can’t believe the commitment, the work, and the effort that people put into it, and how much they seem to be enjoying it.
“The atmosphere was fantastic. I just absolutely loved it and can’t wait to see what other things are going on in and around Evesham,” she said.
Festival director Mick Hurst is keen to further exploit the town’s tourism potential.
“The history tourism economy is booming in England, and Evesham needs to tap into this family demographic that wants to explore places of historic interest.
“If they spend a few hours in town, they will use our cafes, pubs, and restaurants, and browse the shops.
“The more tourism footfall there is, the more the shops in town will adjust to service their needs. Think of Ludlow and York – they all have developed a strong economy based on their history and heritage.
“The argument that no one would come to Evesham was proved wrong last weekend, when an estimated 60,000 visitors attended.
“If the town can get all behind historic and heritage tourism, we shall see Evesham flourish over the next five to 10 years.
“This will benefit everyone, even those who have no interest in history – services will improve, new business opportunities will appear, and the evening economy will carry on getting better.”
The landlord of the Red Lion in Market Square, Tom Doggett, can testify to the increase in trade the festival brought to his business.
“It’s one of our top three weekends in the year,” he said, along with May’s medieval market and the national Morris weekend. “It’s phenomenal.”
