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From the Herts & Essex Observer, 27th April 2009

Youths Are 'Ruining' Castle

Bishop’s Stortford’s ancient Norman fort is being destroyed by young trespassers drinking and taking drugs. That’s the verdict of civil engineer David Burt, who helped restore the remains of 10th century Waytemore Castle 30 years ago.

He says he has seen groups of up to 15 youngsters on top of the historic mound with cannabis and bottles of alcohol. And although the Kingsbridge Road resident has reported it to police and East Herts District Council, he says the problem persists and fears the fragile monument – which is off-limits to the public – could be irreversibly damaged.

David, who has lived in Bishop’s Stortford since 1962 and holds a European Heritage Year Award for his work on the town centre’s Corn Exchange in 1974, said: “The youngsters used to get up to no good among the nettles near the footpath, but they were cut down recently and I suppose they needed somewhere else to go. I first saw them up on the mound about five weeks ago and since then I've seen them going up and down all the time. They seem to think it’s their automatic right to be there – I dread to think what condition the stoneware at the top might be in now.”

Until recently, the only way on to the site was through a padlocked steel gate. But just over a month ago, the youths tore a hole in the surrounding bushes and ripped down a wooden fence to get in – and the gap is still wide open. And when the Observer visited earlier this week, the grass along one side of the hill was heavily trampled and strewn with litter.

Believed to predate William the Conqueror’s victory at the Battle of Hastings in 1066, Waytemore Castle functioned as both a prison and a private residence for the Bishop of London before falling into neglect in the 15th century. Much of it was demolished two centuries later, but some of its foundations remain.

A Herts police spokeswoman said officers went to the castle on April 14 following reports of youngsters smoking cannabis. The gang fled when the team arrived, but they caught up with several members and questioned them. No evidence of drug use was found. East Herts District Council added it was aware of the problem and said reinforced fencing would soon be put up. Additional litter picks have also been scheduled.