Town three represent Tamworth in Athelstan 1,100 celebrations
THREE Tamworth tourist guides represented the town at Malmesbury’s civic launch of its own Athelstan 1,100 celebrations last week.
The historic Wiltshire market town - a burh created by King Athelstan’s grandfather King Alfred the Great of Wessex - is where Athelstan, first King of all England, and first King of all Britain until his death in 939 AD, chose to be buried within its abbey. He famously rewarded the men of Malmesbury with lands for their support at the Battle of Brunanburh (937 AD). These lands are still proudly held after 1,100 years by the Warden and Freemen of Malmesbury.
John Mulvey, Vicky Nailor and David Biggs were all in attendance from Tamworth.
David, who is also Chairman of the Tamworth and District Civic Society, Vice-chairman of the Town Centre Forum and a member of Tamworth’s Athelstan 1100 organising committee, said: “We were delighted and honoured by the warm welcome and hospitality
Regia Anglorum monk re-enactors and civic VIPS at the plaque unveiling in Malmesbury - including David Biggs representing Tamworth’s Athelstan 1100 committee. Picture: Rich Harris.
extended to us throughout our day in Malmesbury.
“It was a privilege to represent Tamworth. It is exciting that the three towns most closely associated with Athelstan’s life and reign, and which clearly meant the most to him, want to share and collaborate in celebrating this remarkable leader and unifier of our nation.
“We enjoyed meeting our hosts and other guests, including the Mayor and Town Clerk of Malmesbury, the Deputy-lieutenant of Wiltshire, the High Sheriff of Wiltshire, the local MP and the Mayor and
Leader of the Council of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames where Athelstan was crowned in 925 AD.
“We were guided around the impressive Athelstan Museum with its really good Athelstan exhibition which is running until September, and the variety of Athelstan merchandise on offer.
“Then we were given front row seats in the wonderful celebration service in the magnificent Norman abbey.
“There were two Anglo-saxon monk re-enactors there who are part of ‘Regia Anglorum’ and had been in Tamworth in March for our King Offa celebration. They said they’d be back for our Athelstan 1100 with a longboat in the Castle Grounds on July 27th and 28th.
“They commented on how much they’d enjoyed shouting “Vivat Offa” and “Vivat Tamworth” around our town on their previous visit.
“A commemorative plaque was then unveiled in the abbey’s Cloister Gardens. In the evening in the Town Hall, we attended a very interesting lecture by the town’s leading historian Tony Mcaleavy on ‘Athelstan and Malmesbury,’ and of course Tamworth and our Lady of the Mercians, Aethelflaed, were mentioned several times.
“We also enjoyed some time to ourselves in the sunshine, exploring the lovely and picturesque town centre with its wonderful 15th century market cross and historic streetscape.”
Vicky added: “It was a really enjoyable day with great company. We noticed how visibly engaged the whole town is with Athelstan 1100, and how much effort had been put into everything by everyone.
“The streets were full of banners, flags and bunting, and all the shop windows seemed to be filled with posters and Athelstan souvenirs.”
John added: “It was a great day. I’m so glad we, at least, were able to represent our town at this event. Malmesbury really showed what a place a quarter the size of ours can do.”
The threesome found themselves affectionately dubbed “The Tamworth Three” by their hosts.
David explained: “They were at pains to say that this was because “The Tamworth Two” - the pigs known subsequently to the world as ‘Butch’ and ‘Sundance’ - who in 1998 sensationally escaped to freedom and eventually a happy life as media celebrities, did so from an abattoir in Malmesbury. We said that we are very proud of the Tamworth Sandyback Pig so no offence could possibly be taken.”
Tamworth’s own Athelstan 1100 celebrations take place soon, from July 20-28, with a host of varied events which are detailed on the festival website and in the free festival brochure at www.tamworthcastle. co.uk/athelstan1100.