Swindon & Wiltshire News
Sixty Malmesbury businesses join forces to celebrate 1,100th anniversary of King Athelstan
Sixty businesses and organisations in Malmesbury have signed up to plans to celebrate the 1,100th anniversary of the crowning of King Athelstan.
The Wessex monarch was declared King of the Anglo Saxons in 924 and King of the English from 927 when he was accepted by the kingdom of Mercia as its ruler. He died in 939 as was buried at Malmesbury Abbey, where his tomb can be found today.
Malmesbury is celebrating #Athelstan1100 throughout the summer of 2024. World famous historians are visiting to speak – including broadcaster and historian Michael Wood and Professor Sarah Foot, who are both experts in Athelstan’s important place in English history.
Four packed weeks of activities start on Friday, June 28 and will include a Big Dig weekend, a dramatic live event in Malmesbury Abbey, a Big Picnic, a craft fair and a large scale re-enactment – all with an Anglo Saxon theme.
Malmesbury Town Team chairman Cllr Campbell Ritchie, who leads the team of volunteers who are organising the programme of events, said: “We’re overwhelmed by the support of local businesses to date – they have embraced this opportunity to celebrate the history of Malmesbury and to be part of Athelstan 1100 and we are confident even more businesses will join us over the coming weeks.
“We’d like to thank them all for their commitment to this exciting project and to helping make so many brilliant events happen for the benefit of all of us.
“Businesses and organisations have contributed in various ways. There have been cash donations as well as donations of time and services, such as the Athelstan 1100 website, the supply of PR expertise and providing essential equipment. Malmesbury Town Council and Wiltshire Council are already providing invaluable support.”
Businesses in an around Malmesbury’s High Street are joining the fun of a By Appointment of King Athelstan scheme, and visitors can expect to see plenty of locally made Athelstan 1100 themed products using the project’s exclusive Athelstan 1100 logos and designs, such as printed fabric, tea towels, mugs, fudge, tee-shirts and even Athelstan sausages.
Many businesses are also ordering special Athelstan 1100 stickers and stamps to show their support.
Image reproduced under Creative Commons licence
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