Siege mentality

THE magnificent remains of Newark Castle are the centrepiece of the town’s rich history. The castle holds a special place in the hearts of local people and is a major attraction for visitors to the area.

It was a Royalist stronghold during the English Civil War, withstanding three sieges during the conflict.

Its garrison finally surrendered, but only on the orders of King Charles I.

Orders were given for it to be destroyed. The demolition began but was not completed because of an outbreak of the plague.

The castle was further damaged as stone from what was left was taken to be used in the construction of houses.

Now, it’s under siege again, this time from the ravages of time and weather.

Conservation experts estimate about £175,000 needs to be spent on urgent repairs.

Additional, less urgent work would take the total up to £1/2m.

Parts of the riverside curtain wall and gatehouse tower have been particularly affected by the weather.

Small pieces of stone frequently fall to the ground, and two areas of the castle gardens have been fenced off to protect visitors.

The castle and its Civil War garrison were defiant in the face of enemy action.

The big challenge now is to repair and protect it to ensure it can be enjoyed by generations to come.