Join a free Viking festival in Thelwall this Saturday

The Thelwall 1100 Festival has taken place through this month to celebrate 1,100 years since Edward the Elder declared the village a 'cyty'.

Saturday sees Wirhalh Skip Felagr, a leading Viking, Saxon and Norman re-enactment group, offering a Warriors display, Viking village and ancient craft displays on Chaigeley School field.

There are two battle re-enactments, one at 11.30am and the second at 2.30pm. Children can join the little Viking and little Anglo-Saxon parade at 4pm with prizes for the best dressed.

In Baden Lodge Scout hut, Warrington Railway Modellers will show their new creation, Thelwall Railway Station with running trains. The station was open to passengers for 103 years and closed in 1956 due to dwindling passenger numbers. The railway carried freight till the 1980s when the line was lifted and the route converted to form part of the Trans-Pennine Trail.

Information, photographs and Jenny Jones’ Thelwall History Group publication capturing the history and people’s memories of the railway and station will be on sale.

As the day focusses on Thelwall’s History and Heritage, the Parish Hall displays provide insights into why Edward the Elder came to Thelwall; the impact of the English Civil War and a 17th Century crops quiz. The Thelwall Morris Dancers continue celebrating their 50th anniversary, performing in the hall at 10.30am and 1.30pm.

Members of the Lymm and Thelwall U3A will be on hand to explain all about its programme.

The 3rd Thelwall Guides are also coming to tell you about their involvement in the Thelwall 1100 Festival and the many adventures they have as Guides.

There will be refreshments in the Parish Hall and on the field. All events start at 10am and finish at 5pm.

On Sunday at 10am, a Thanksgiving Service in All Saints’ Church, will mark the end of three weeks of celebrations and the start of the next phase – delivering commemorative legacies for the community.

The second weekend of the Thelwall 1100 Festival got off to a great start last weekend with the Ballads and Blues Folk Night at the Grappenhall & Thelwall Royal British Legion. Organised by Norman Froggatt, veteran of the Warrington Folk club scene, the audience were treated to a brilliant evening of local talent – Sixpenny Cut with Mick Lloyd, Geoff and Ruth Bibby, Billy Pook, Paul Thompson and Peter Price with support artists on fiddle, bass, harmonica and guitar.

Last Saturday, 50 people enjoyed a Cream Tea and Fizz party at Laskey Farm Barn and were able to enjoy a leisurely wander round the beautiful gardens. That same afternoon, more than 200 people from 52 families took part in an exciting Treasure Hunt round the village. They also brought in some of the painted stones hidden around the village for Thelwall Guides’ Pebble-painting Challenge. These will eventually form an art installation in the village.

Thelwall history walk and fishing challenge. Pictures: Mike Moss Photography

Sunday saw 65 people join the Thelwall Railway walk and the Weaste Lane History walk, led by Jenny Jones and Tony Warburton.

That same afternoon, the chance to ‘Experience Fishing’ with the Warrington Anglers’ Association brought in people of all ages. Plenty of fish were caught, making it a very enjoyable experience.

Today, Thursday, sees Thelwall Community Junior School holding its own History Day for family members and guests. All Saints’ Church is also open that day from 10.30am to 12.30pm with coffee and displays of memorabilia and photographs of special family occasions and other significant events in the life of the community.

Thelwall history walk and fishing challenge. Pictures: Mike Moss Photography