Organisers ready for big weekend (From Warrington Guardian)

Organisers ready for big weekend

LAST minute preparations are being made for Middlewich's first Norman Festival, which starts tomorrow, Saturday.

Organisers have issued a full list of activities for the event celebrating the town's Norman heritage on Saturday and Sunday.

The following activities will take place in the main arena at Harbutt's Field, off King Street:

Saturday:

Opening ceremony - noon

Arming the knight and single combat - 12.15pm

Medieval dance display - 12.45pm

Falconry display - 1.30pm

Early medieval jousting - 2.30pm

Main event: The Harrying of the North - 3.15pm

School boat race - 4.15pm

Sunday:

Arming of the knight and single combat - 12.30pm

Kiddies drill - 1pm

Falconry display - 1.45pm

Early medieval jousting - 2.30pm

Main event: The Harrying of the North - 3.15pm

Medieval dance - 4.30pm

Closing ceremony - 5pm

As well as activities at Harbutt's Field, there will be daily guided tours to the following historical sites:

Kinderton Manor - Saturday, 1pm and 4.30pm; Sunday, 1pm and 4.15pm

St Michael and All Angels Church, Saturday and Sunday, 11.30am, 1pm, 1.30pm and 4.30pm

Community dig, off King Street, between 11am and 4pm

There will also be a festival exhibition at 20 Hightown where artefacts such as the original dress-sword of Peter Venables will be on display between 10am and 5pm.

A festival church service will take place at St Michael and All Angels Church at 10.30am on Sunday.