Norman Middlewich   

The links on the left will give updated information as it becomes available.  In the meantime, below is the text of the Press Release that has gone out about the Festival.

The NORMANS were here

“Fascinating Facts & Lots of Fun in Middlewich

17th & 18th September 2005”

Following the very popular Roman Festivals, Middlewich Town Council hosted another FREE weekend of quality family entertainment.

The Norman Middlewich Festival took place on 17th and 18th September and focused on the next phase of the town's heritage, following the famous invasion and battle of 1066.

A full programme of arena displays was available from noon each day and was complemented by a Living History village (with guided tours), a variety of medieval craft traders and demonstrators.  To look at the timetable, click here.

The main display marquee featured various commissioned work by local schools, clay making workshops, more specialist traders and local voluntary groups, including Middlewich Heritage Society who hosted a special exhibit provided by direct descendants of the original Norman Barons of Middlewich. 

The exhibit featured descendants themselves from Venables, France, Venables descendants from America also joined us for our latest heritage celebration.

Arena displays included archery & artillery, a medieval horse/jousting tournament and falconry.  These built to "the main event", a battle re-enactment by the Conquest Society.  Children were encouraged to take part in specific activities, with expert guidance of course!

All of the above took place at Harbutt`s Field, off King Street, Middlewich.

In addition to activities at Harbutt`s Field, Middlewich Town Council arranged daily guided tours of;

Kinderton Manor - site of the original Norman Barons moated manor house.

St. Michael and All Angels Church - 12th Century Church containing original Norman architecture and the unique Heraldic Screens detailing the Venables family history.

Community Dig - off King Street.  Ongoing archaeological dig has already revealed a Roman Road and burials.  On site display of "finds" and Virtual Reality film.

Festival Exhibition - This was open from 10.30am each day, located at 20 Hightown (opposite St. Michael and All Angels Church), and displayed a variety of artefacts (including the original dress-sword of Peter Venables, the last of that family to be Baron of Kinderton in the 17th century), detailed maps and information regarding the Norman occupation of Middlewich and surrounding parishes.

Festival Parade - Started at 10.30am Saturday from Wheelock Street towards the church, onto St. Michaels Way and up to Harbutt`s Field on King Street.  Horse mounted Norman Knights led "the invasion" through the Town Centre.

Festival Church Service - Held at 10.30am Sunday in St. Michael and All Angels Church, Hightown, Middlewich.

Thank you to all who attended, participated, enjoyed or perhaps even suffered through the wind and rain of the Saturday.  Despite the weather over 12,000 of you made the efforts of the organisers worthwhile.  Jonathan Williams, Dave Thompson and Geoff Williams may have been the three primary organisers, but they recognise there are too many people to mention here.  Photographs will follow soon.

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