AN AWARD-WINNING community group dedicated to promoting the history of Evesham has received recognition for its efforts by a leading heritage charity.
Organisers from the Battle of Evesham were presented with the President’s Award for its outstanding contribution to the recognition, promotion and interpretation of an historic battlefield by The Battlefields Trust on April 5.
The trust’s chair Anne Curry congratulated the committee and volunteers for bringing the 13th Century battle to a local, national and international audience and highlighted the role it played in changing democracy around the world.
They were also given a signed limited edition print by one of the world’s leading battlefield’s artists, Graham Turner, who was present at the event.
Mick Hurst who is the driving force behind the group’s aim to create awareness of the legacy of the medieval baron, Simon de Montfort, killed at the Battle of Evesham in 1265, was there to receive the accolade in person.
“In a room full of distinguished and knowledgeable experts from the world of historic battlefields it was a huge honour to be presented with the award,” he said.
“I had no idea this was going to happen, and that we would also be presented with Graham’s famous painting depicting Simon de Montfort’s final moments at Evesham.
“It is a testament to the hard work that the Battle of Evesham committee and volunteers all put into making this annual feast of medieval mayhem work.”
Mick said that in the audience at The Battlefields Trust AGM were some of the most respected and published academic authors, professors, and experts in battlefields.
The award, he added, had highlighted the Battle of Evesham to them, which he said had been largely forgotten by academia and that many individuals indicated that they would attend the 760th anniversary festival in August to find out more about this important medieval conflict.
The Battle of Evesham committee organises four events annually with a Medieval Market taking place in the town centre on May 17 to 18.
Visit www.battleofevesham.co.uk for more information about Simon de Montfort and the battle events.
