Discover History

28/03/2026

All 36 walking tours can be booked over the Easter Holidays. If you wish to join a scheduled walk taking place, please follow the link - www.discover-history.co.uk/tours

27/03/2026

At this time of the year, we are reminded of these anniversaries. Can you name what they are?

27/03/2026

We have finally reached the Easter Holidays. If you wish to book an award winning workshop or immersive history day, please visit our website www.discover-history.co.uk

27/03/2026

Did you know one of the first Theatres in Worcester was located in a barn behind these High Street buildings? On , why not book our walking tour - Theatre, Arts and Entertainment.

27/03/2026

- Tuesday was . A refreshing cocktail for Spring would be the Mojito. It is believed the drink was originally used by the native people of Cuba to combat tropical diseases. In 1586, Sir Francis Drake, or El Draque, the Dragon, raided Havana in Cuba. His aim was to take the gold from the native people. His crew were sick from the long journey, with many suffering from Scurvy. The raid failed, however some of crew mananged to bring the medicinal drink back to the ships. It was made from a basic sugar cane spirit called Aguardiente, lime, mint, and sugarcane juice. It was really the Lime Juice that would have worked instantly. It was said to be called El Draque after Drake. By the 1800s the Aguardiente was replaced by a much better Rum spirit, evolving to become the Mojito. Traditionally it is made using sugar, lime juice and mint. A Muddler is used to bruise the mint leaves to release the flavour. White rum, sparkling soda water, and crushed Ice can then be added. It's therefore a sweet, citrus drink with a fresh mint flavour. We do not know for sure where the name comes from. One theory is it comes from Mojo, a Cuban seasoning made from Limes. It may also come from Mojadito, the Spanish word for lightly wet. It is believed to have been the favourite drink to Ernest Hemingway who made the bar, La Bodeguita del Medio, famous when he became one of its regulars and wrote 'My Mojito in La Bodeguita, My Daiquiri in El Floridita' on the wall of the bar.

26/03/2026

380 years ago - A number of letters are passed between the Parliamentarian Trumpeter and the City. Henry Washington refuses to surrender unless the King ordered him too do so. 'We shall take no notice of your summons.....we shall keep this town.' Meanwhile, Brereton recieved new orders, and marched on Lichfield, leaving a small force near Droitwich to watch Worcester prepare for a siege.

26/03/2026

We are pleased to announce, we have been allocated funding to help celebrate the Battle of Worcester. Look out for some free walking tours taking place later in the year. Thank you Visit Worcestershire.

25/03/2026

380 years ago - A Parliamentarian Trumpeter, from an approaching army of almost 3,000, arrived with a letter from Sir William Brereton. It called the City to surrender. 'Prevent your houses from spoil, your estates from ruin, your person's from restraints, the effusion of blood and such other miseries as inevitably will fall upon yourselves, your wives and Children.' The new Governor of the City, Henry Washington drafted a reply.

25/03/2026

We are true believers that we can make a difference. Big changes are coming to local government, and we can help determine the future. Have your say by following the link.

https://transformingworcestershire.co.uk/?fbclid=IwdGRjcAQuothjbGNrBC6izWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHtc9ZIJHDqAEW3qWF1DHOuz_YZE1ITVWnHXWETL5kMnSb5bjKf64RmFaDK1w_aem_5hgfuGV7sepq6YRMhri_mQ

Learn about Transforming Worcestershire — a resident-shaped proposal for Local Government Reorganisation. See the plan, compare options, and share your views.

25/03/2026

- On Tuesday, 108 years ago, Captain Martin Warren was mortally wounded at Pargny in the Somme Valley. He had no named grave until last week. On the 17 March 2026, a ceremony took place at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Pargny British Cemetery, France. It was led by the Chaplain of the 1st Battalion of the Mercian Regiment, Father Terkura Igby CF, and organised by the Ministry of Defence’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), also known as the MOD War Detectives. Serving soldiers from 4 Mercian joined the group at the graveside also. Captain Warren was 20 when he died from his wounds in the last year of the Great War. Martin Warren was born in Worcester on the 7th May 1897, to Richard Alfred and Emily Mary Warren, of 93, Park Avenue, Worcester. He was educated at King’s School as a day boy between 1908-1914. He joined the school Officer Training Corps, where he excelled in leadership. Science was a particular interest and on leaving school he went on to work in the Laboratory at the Hill, Evans & Co Vinegar Factory. At school and at the start of his military career, sport also played an enormous part in his life. Martin won several running awards, the 5 mile cross-country run at the Plymouth Garrison ending his long list of awards. He was commissioned into the 5th Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment at Tregantle in May 1915, at the age of 18. He arrived on the Western Front in November 1915. In the Spring of 1918, the German Army rolled their final dice and began a shattering offensive. Martin was now a Captain attached to the 1st Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment in C Company. When the German Offensive began, the Battalion was sent on a train to Nesle. On the 24th March 1918, the Worcester's were holding the line along the Somme Canal at Pargny. It was here that he died of his wounds. A Chaplin wrote at the time, ‘Martin was killed on the retreat from the Somme Canal. He was constantly doing exceedingly good work, having first to protect the retirement of another Division and then counter-attack. Later we slowly retired to the third position and he was mortally wounded and had to be left behind. His death is greatly lamented. He was the life and soul of our mess, He was my organist and chief helper. His courage and keenness were a great example and encouragement to others. He was always the first to start sports and games when we were in rest. He was the truest type of Englishman that one can ever wish to meet.’ German soldiers initially buried him, and after the war he was moved to Pargny British Cemetery as an 'Unknown Captain of the Worcestershire Regiment'. His name was therefore added to the Pozieres Memorial. His father presented the school with a trophy in his memory. The trophy was used for the Ketch Run, something Martin was a winner of. This was a cross-country run from the school to the Ketch. After some excellent detective work by numerous groups lasting just over 6 years, he was finally identified. Identification case 638, for grave 2.A.3 was confirmed as being the Grave of Captain Warren. At his graveside last week was his Great Nephew Paul Watkins, representatives of the present Regiment, and the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regimental Association. A named gravestone was added and stands proud for a brave local Captain, and Old Vigornian.

24/03/2026

380 years ago - Worcester people have seen Parliamentarian Scouts on the hills around the City. These Cavalry Troopers are tracking down the Royalist survivors from the Battle of Stow on the Wold. They know the City is occupied by Royalist troops.

24/03/2026

starts today. Paul's a big fan of Henry V. Do you have a favourite play by William Shakespeare?