Battle cry rings out for York’s historic walls

When Keith Myers spotted a rusty metal table abandoned in Bootham Bar he decided enough was enough.The 58-year-old from Acomb rallied like-minded residents together and set up the Friends of York Walls.

If the walls could talk, they would tell tales of bloody Roman battles, medieval gallantry, civil war and siege. It is this rich history the Friends want to shout about.

Set up in January, the group now has a committee of 10 and over 200 members with the Lord Mayor as patron. It has already spearheaded a number of projects including a St George’s Day flag waving walk and a parade on the walls as part of the Lord Mayor’s inspection of Clifford’s Tower.

“There are very few traditions based on or around the walls so we want to change this and involve the community a lot more in how we do things,” said Mr Myers.

“The next thing we are doing is helping the council plant bulbs and wild flowers on the ramparts. We have already got schools lined up to help and we have spoken to Britain in Bloom about the work we are doing. “We are very keen to involve local schools because we feel young people of York should really get to know the history and feel part of the city.”

The group’s biggest project will see the transformation the ancient Fishergate Postern Tower opposite Waitrose into a visitor centre and café, as well as the Friends’ new base. Built in around 1505, the rectangular tower was once surrounded by water as part of the King’s Fishpond, which also acted as a defence. It still houses an ancient spiral staircase and a garderobe – a medieval toilet– on the first floor.

Mr Myers said: “It has still got its original features and has great views of the city on the top floor. We estimate it will be around £60,000 to refurbish it as we want it and we are putting in a for heritage lottery funding to help us, as well as securing funding from the council and raising money ourselves. It will be a nice little coffee shop and we will be getting experts in to run it.”

The Friends also want to open a visitor centre in the Red Tower and develop the Anglican Tower, which is surrounded by wire mesh and blighted with litter.