Swindon & Wiltshire News
Celebrations to mark anniversary of King Athelstan kick off this weekend
Residents, volunteers and businesses in Malmesbury are getting ready to host a bumper programme of 27 events to mark the 1100th anniversary of the accession of King Athelstan – the first King of England – starting on Friday, June 26.
This weekend will kick off four weekends of events, many totally free, involving more than 100 local businesses and community organisations, 2,500 tickets reserved for talks and performances, thousands of visitors expected at free events – including over 150 ‘diggers’ for Malmesbury’s Big Athelstan Dig – 80 artworks displayed on banners, internationally important exhibits at the Athelstan Museum, 25 degree students involved as part of their studies, 200 re-enactors, 300m of bunting, new trails across 100 miles of footpaths and cycle paths, and over 100 volunteers.
The market town will also host four of the world’s leading historians on King Athelstan and Anglo Saxon history – author and podcaster Tom Holland, author and documentary maker Michael Wood OBE, author professor Sarah Foot and – just announced – Phil Harding, field archaeologist with Wessex Archaeology and best known for his role on the popular tv series Time Team.
Phil will be on hand to look and talk about some of the finds during the first weekend of events, known as the Big Athelstan Dig which will involve 12 test pits being dug in and around the town with members of the public digging, guided and supported by Cotswold Archaeology and a trail for visitors.
It is well known that King Athelstan was buried in Malmesbury Abbey, although his remains were moved two hundred years after his death and their location now remains a mystery.
Phil said: “It will be an opportunity for local people to have first-hand experience of their past through digging holes in the ground, under proper supervision. I am looking forward to coming to Malmesbury to see what they have found.”
There will also be an extraordinary exhibition of very rare Athelstan artefacts at the Athelstan Museum – the first of its kind in the world – on display from July 2.
Cllr Campbell Ritchie said: “We’ve called our anniversary project Athelstan 1100 and we are excited that after almost two years in the planning we are ready to showcase Malmesbury nationally and internationally and welcome thousands of visitors to our events throughout July. Our town was of exceptional importance in the Anglo Saxon period.
“Thank you to the many people who have come together to make this all possible and to put on a series of main events and pop-up events, walks and trails which offer appeal and experiences to all, with many free to attend.
“Everywhere you go in Malmesbury in the next month will have an ‘Athelstan’ vibe – from our shops promoting Athelstan 1100 and locally produced goods such as T-shirts, sausages, pies, ice-cream, fudge, tea towels, ceramics, bags, beer, publications, books and information, to the banners, bunting, the museum exhibition, Big Athelstan Dig, craft fair, picnic, re-enactments, performances and talks.”
It was in 924 AD that Athelstan, the grandson of Alfred the Great, became king of Mercia and Wessex, the first steps on his journey to becoming the first King of England. His relationship with Malmesbury is written deep in the DNA of the town and he chose to be buried at Malmesbury Abbey.
With 2024 marking 1100 years since Athelstan became King, a team of community organisations led by Malmesbury Town Team, including the Athelstan Museum, Malmesbury Town Council, the Warden and Freemen of Malmesbury – who trace their origins to Athelstan – Malmesbury History Society, Wessex Week, Malmesbury Abbey, Athelstan Players, local schools and individuals have been working together to create a series of events to mark this iconic moment.
*The first weekend, 29th and 30th June, showcases the opening of the Athelstan Pilgrim Way, 100 miles of footpaths and cycleways linking churches across North Wiltshire, a performance by junior school pupils in the Abbey, the launch of an album of songs by local musicians inspired by the characters and events in Malmesbury’s historical past and the start of the talks programme.
- July 6 and 7 will be Malmesbury’s Big Athelstan Dig with community archaeology at sites around town – even in people’s gardens! Visitors will be able to follow a trail and meet professional archaeologists who will help interpret finds.
- July 13 and 14 will feature dramatic live performances at Malmesbury Abbey telling how Athelstan became the First King of England, and Malmesbury’s beautiful Cloister Gardens will be buzzing with a children-focused Big Athelstan picnic and an immersive Anglo-Saxon food, drink and craft fair.
- July 20 and 21 will see the creation of ‘Anglo-Saxon Malmesbury’, a re-enactment village and hands on experiences, in Malmesbury’s river-side park at St Aldhelm’s Mead, and the opportunity to see Athelstan’s Anglo-Saxon warriors in action.
