A COLOURFUL celebration of Evesham’s past will be on offer when the town’s medieval market returns next month.
With the next phase of the lifting of coronavirus restrictions scheduled for May 17, organisers hope this year’s event on the weekend of May 22 and 23 will go ahead in full.
The free-to-enter event will showcase medieval re-enactors, weapon demonstrations, living history and authentic medieval market stalls.
It will also be the first time the public have been allowed in the Abbey Nave and Cloisters since the dissolution of the Abbey in 1540.
The outdoor market, staged in locations across the historic town centre, will include more than 80 medieval battle re-enactors, knights demonstrating armour and weaponry, community stands in the church, market stalls, and food and drink.
“After so many events have had to be cancelled because of Covid – including last year’s Battle of Evesham Re-enactment Festival – we’re thrilled to be able to put on this outdoor medieval market right in the centre of our beautiful town,” said event director Mick Hurst.
“Evesham people have really rallied round to make this event happen. It’s taken a huge amount of planning work to put on an event which will be great fun – and offer an insight into medieval life and our town’s part in events which shaped the modern world.
“I would like to thank all the re-enactors, volunteers, sponsors and traders for their work which has enabled us to stage a spectacular market which will be safe for visitors, everyone will be required to observe social distancing rules in place at the time.
There will be armoured medieval knights and weapon demonstrations in the Living History Camps, located in St Lawrence’s Church yard. Iron forges, leatherwork, wooden crafts, needlework, mead making and cooking from throughout the ‘High Medieval Period’ of 1066 to 1485 will also be offer.
The official Robin Hood Visitor’s Centre re-enactment team are heading over from Sherwood Forest, including Friar Tuck, Maid Marion, Little John and of course Robin himself.
The History of Dogs group will be describing how our faithful friends played their part in medieval life, and DevilStick Pete – the county’s best-loved jester – will be wending his way around entertaining the public.
Admission to the Evesham Medieval Market is free. Funds raised through donations will go towards running the Battle of Evesham Festival which will be staged over the weekend of August 7 and 8.
Visit www.battleofevesham.co.uk for more about September’s medieval market and August’s battle re-enactment as well as details of Evesham’s first Medieval Banquet on October 23.
