HARTLEBURY Castle is one of the many historic buildings near Stourport.

Built as a Manor House in 1268 its owner was given permission to fortify it as a defence against the Welsh.

Now known as Hartlebury Castle it played an important role on the side of the Royalists in the Civil Wars of 1642 to 1660.

It was garrisoned with both cavalry and foot soldiers and was to witness many of the battles that took place in Worcester.

However, when threatened with an attack it surrendered without a shot being fired thus giving rise to Doug Smith's title for his talk Poorly but Cowardly.

Hartlebury Castle was also the residence of the Bishops of Worcester until 2007.

When the bishops moved to premises closer to Worcester Cathedral, the castle was put up for sale.

Fearing the castle would be lost to developers, a trust was set up and funds were raised to purchase it for the nation.

The trust refurbished the castle and it is now open to the public and one of the major tourist attractions in the region.

In 2022 marks in a field in front of the castle suggested there may have been a defensive bastion constructed there during the Civil War.

In 2023 the site was excavated and a 3.4-metre deep ditch and post holes were discovered.

Members were able to view a lead shot from a cavalry soldier's pistol and a half King James I coin recovered from the site.

At Stourport Civic Society's next meeting on Thursday, March 14, Michael Loftus will give a talk entitled Mr Mitchell’s quite wonderful wall on the Kidderminster ring road.

Many will have driven past this feature on the ring road without being able to stop and fully appreciate it.

Michael aims to put this right.

Meetings are held at the Elizabeth Mills Centre, Sion Gardens, Stourport, starting at 7.30pm.

Admission is £2.50 for members and £4 for visitors. All are welcome.