Battle of Worcester sculpture would be 'first of its kind'

The sculpture is one of a number of projects that could be funded by £5 million worth of Levelling Up cash given to Worcester by the government.

Worcester City Council has until May 10 to submit its plans for how it wants to spend the money and has drawn up a list of cultural and heritage projects that will be debated by its Policy and Resources Committee next week.

The sculpture would be placed around King Street car park (Image: Google Maps)

The sculpture, which is earmarked to receive £50,000 of Levelling Up funding, is to depict a key battle in the English civil war.

According to committee papers, it will be located near King Street Car Park, the site of the final battle, and is described as “a distinctive linear steel sculpture.”

The sculpture will be designed by renowned sculptor Ken Potts, who created the Elgar statue in Cathedral Square.

The hope is that the sculpture will play a part in bringing civil war tourism to the city - heritage that is already kept alive by the likes of the historic Commandery and the Battle of Worcester Society.

Daniel Daniels, the society’s chairman, said: “We are delighted that Worcester City Council has put our name forward for funding for the first-ever national monument of its kind.

“Worcester played a pivotal role in the beginning and the end of the civil war and our proposed sculpture will elevate Worcester’s standing on the national heritage map.

“The sculpture is designed to be made from laser-cut steel in layers, to show the action and drama of the Battle of Worcester.

“The proposed funding from Worcester City Council is a tremendous boost. Our sincere thanks to David Blake, managing director of the city council, and Robin Walker MP.”

Other projects set to benefit from the funding include education centres at the city art gallery and the Tudor House Museum, additional public spaces as part of the Scala and Corn Exchange development, and investment in Gheluvelt Park, Cripplegate Park and Pitchcroft.