Coming Soon: Charter Day 2013

Saturday 2nd March sees the second annual Charter Day, marking the earliest known market charter granted to Wellington on the last day of February, 1244. This year, it’s even more historic than usual, with Percy Simmonds aiming to retain his role as town crier and at the grand age of 90 confirm his place as Britain’s oldest town crier. Who knows – maybe he’s even the oldest in the world?

To see Percy present himself to the Manor Court (well, four rogues in costumes), be in Market Square for midday. Also up for reappointment are Wellington’s ale taster, Jerry Baily, and clerk of the market Kay Boakye – both ancient roles in the town.

That’s not all you’ll see if you arrive a bit earlier. At 11.15, the King’s messenger will arrive on horseback to deliver the charter to Market Square, played in with a fanfare from the brass band.

The band will also perform in between 11.30 and 12, and over at the library, you can wander round the stalls at their local history exhibition. If you stick around after the midday ceremony, you can also join in with the Ale Taster’s customary tour of some town pubs, where he’ll make sure nothing’s been watered down or sold in short measure.

Click here to download our Charter Day poster 2013, and for anyone with a well-appointed window, do please pin one up for all to see!