A PACKED programme of events to celebrate the 1,100 years of Thelwall being given 'cyty' status takes place next month.

The Thelwall 1100 Festival has been awarded £37,651 by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to deliver a programme of celebration events between September 9 and 14 and support a range of commemorative projects and legacies for the community over the next two years.

Events take place throughout the month and throughout the village. The celebrations also mark Chaigeley School’s 75th anniversary and the 50th anniversary of the Thelwall Morris Men.

It gives a chance to experience traditional crafts and skills – spinning, weaving, fishing as well as life in a Viking village.

In 1923, the railway brought thousands of people to the Thelwall Millenary Pageant. The station closed in 1952 but the memories live on and thanks to Warrington Model Railway Group there’s a chance see the line working again – on a smaller scale!

There’s also a chance to ‘have a go’ whether Morris dancing or doing battle Viking-style.

Both of these events run on Saturday, September 23 at the parish hall, Baden Lodge and Chaigeley School field.

All events are free apart from ticketed events for the second weekend – Ballads & Blues Folk Night and the Laskey Farm Cream Tea & Fizz which have sold out already.

Music and dance feature in the programme with a Party in the Park – Chaigeley Field will come alive with the music of the 40s and 50s with the Kalamazoo Dance Band and Kals Kats along with other acts including vocalist Emma Mawdsley.

The festival rounds off with activities on Sunday, September 25 including All Saints' Thelwall Market at the parish hall between 10am and 3pm and an 1,100th anniversary thanksgiving service at All Saints' Church from 10am.

The full programme can be found at Thelwall’s community website – Thelwall 1100 page and on social media.

Visitors are asked to use public transport where they can, car share or taxi as there is limited parking in the village.

The history dates back to 1,100 years ago.

King Edward the Elder was heading the Saxon fight against the invading Vikings from the North and decided that the Mersey was a strategic place to defend and stop the Viking surge through the country.

He set up camp on the banks of the Mersey and declared the area would be known as the 'Cyty of Thelwall' 1100 years ago.