CONCERN was widespread in Worcester 100 years ago over the state of one of the Faithful City's most ancient and historic landmarks Edgar Tower.

The Journal of 1901 explained: Edgar Tower has been for some time in a somewhat dangerous condition, and much of the stone work has crumbled away. Extensive scaffolding has just been erected on the east and west sides with a view to a careful examination of the centuries-old structure, but at present the Dean and Chapter of Worcester Cathedral have not decided on the precise work to be carried out.

There is no building in Worcester which is so frequently photographed and sketched as Edgar Tower, and few of the nation's old massive town or castle gatehouses, like this one, now remain.

"Some entries from the rolls, found by historian John Noake, prove that the tower was built as a gatehouse to Worcester Castle by King John who frequently stayed there, sometimes twice in a single year. The building was once known as 'King John's Tower.' However, in the reign of King John's son, Henry III, the land known as the Cathedral College Green was restored to the monks, and the gateway became known as 'St Mary's Gate.' The exact time when the name was absurdly altered to Edgar Tower does not appear to be known.

As we can see very well today, Edgar Tower must have been repaired and restored to a significant extent in 1902 and during later times because it survives very much intact as a familiar feature of the Worcester scene.