History brought to life in facelift

Jun 7 2006 By Emma Cullwick, Birmingham Mail

ONE of Worcestershire's most historic tourist attractions is undergoing a £1.4 million facelift.

Organisers behind the initiative hope the restoration of the Commandery, in Worcester, will boost tourism in the county.

A specialist company, Event Communications, has been drafted in to bring the site's history into life.

It will create ghosts of people who used to live in the building using state-of-the-art technology.

They will tell visitors about their personal stories and authentic sounds will be used to transport people back into the past.

Amanda Lunt, manager for the museum, said she was thrilled with the Heritage Lottery Fund project.

"Not only does the Commandery tell the history of Worcester, it also evocatively portrays England's growth as a country, from all perspectives - religious and political power, industry, culture, education, war, fashion and design, medical progress and much more.

"The full dramatic history of the Commandery will soon come to life in an innovative, exciting and accessible way that will educate and entertain."

The Commandery's story will cover six key periods in its life, from when it started out as a monastic hospital in 1085.

It is said that Henry VII assisted with the building of the Commandery by providing oak trees for

its construction. It later became a Tudor home of the Wylde family - master clothiers of the 16th Century. Legend has it that the family made a pall for the funeral of King Arthur.

The Commandery then became Royalist headquarters and the nerve centre for the Battle of Worcester. Despite being in the line of fire, it escaped completely unscathed.

Since the 1700s it has served a host of purposes, from a glove-making business, school and printworks.

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