LAST weekend saw the culmination of events held to mark the 360th anniversary of the Battle of Worcester.

There are a number of city people who have played pivotal roles in the recognition of this milestone in English history but I’d like to single out one – Ben Humphrey of WorcesterLive – for special mention.

His stewardship of the Worcester: City of Liberty project has been a resounding success. There must be many people who now have at least a basic understanding of that decisive action in September, 1651.

Ben’s very much an ideas man and I am particularly impressed by his thoughts on related matters and tourism in general. For example, he believes that something must be done about the inadequate direct rail and bus links to nearby Stratford-upon-Avon.

William Shakespeare appears to have had no problems when he came to Worcester to collect his marriage licence. He certainly didn’t have to travel via Birmingham.

Another of Ben’s ideas is to include a mention at the city’s Remembrance Day service of the battle’s 3,000 fallen. After all, there must still be bodies under the very feet of all those who attend the November ceremony at the war memorial.

These are all valid proposals.

Now is the time for others to pick up the torch Ben has lit.