Scenes from Charter Day

Wellington was bathed in glorious sunshine when the crowds gathered this morning for Charter Day, our annual nod to the occassion when our lord of the manor was granted a royal charter for the holding of markets and fairs, back in 1244. As I type, the re-appointed Ale Taster, Jerry Baily, is working his way around a selection of town pubs on route to this reception at The Cock Hotel later on today. While I get a spare ten minutes, here are some photos from this morning:

There was a busy start to the day at Wellington Library’s Local History Event, organised to coincide with Charter Day and give our historically-inspired theatrical nonsense a bit of an academic antedote…

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At 11.15, the King’s Messenger arrived in Market Square to deliver the Charter astride Mac the Horse and led by Sophie his usual rider…

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In the meantime, the town officials made a visit to Lesley’s Larder inside Wellington Market…

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…before going on to Ken Francis Butcher’s in Market Street…

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At midday, the Court Leet was conveyned in Market Square, ready to appoint the three officers presented before them – the town crier, the ale taster and the clerk of the market…

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…then it was back to the Library for a cup of tea before moving on the the harder stuff, lead by the Ale Taster.

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So that’s it until next year – another happy, colourful, free slice of fun in a town that seems to be smiling more and more at the moment. I can’t see us being this lucky with the weather for a third year running, but we’ll take it if it’s offered.

Category : Ale Taster, Community projects, Events, H2A, Makers and doers