SOLDIERS descended on Monkton Park in Chippenham this weekend, to seize the town in a dramatic re-enactment of the English Civil War.

Sir Marmaduke Rawdon’s Regiment of Foote established a Soldiers Encampment and Living History Village as part of the “fantastic” weekend.

Monkton Park was transported back in time to July 1643, when the Civil War raged across Wiltshire and the wider West Country.

A huge canon explosion marked the start of the event on Saturday (August 7) before pikemen began to demonstrate their combat skills and brave Musketeers started to fire their muskets.

Melissa Barnett, head of heritage and museum services at Chippenham Museum, said the day was “just perfect.”

She said: “It was a wonderful community event for the town, it couldn’t have gone better in our eyes. People were really excited and receptive.

“We’ve got a bigger event planned for next July with horses, and battles, it’s going to be really exciting.”

Throughout the weekend, people were able to learn a huge amount about how people used to live, and how the Civil War had affected the region.

 

English Civil War re enactment. Knitter Julie Walker making a thrum hat worn by sailors using her skills she researched from the civil war era Photo Trevor Porter 67552 2a

English Civil War re enactment. Knitter Julie Walker making a thrum hat worn by sailors using her skills she researched from the civil war era Photo Trevor Porter 67552 2a

Knitter Julie Walker, from Oxford, was busy making a thrum hat, typically worn by sailors, on Saturday.

“It was absolutely lovely,” she said. “The children were really absorbing the information so well, it was really special to see.”

“There was one couple from Chippenham who had seen my clogs, and the husband said he remembered the sound of clogs on cobbles well. The next day, they came back with a a pair of traditional clogs, and gifted them to me as part of the collection! It was amazing!”

 

Keith Blundell and Sue Ashman with the 85 mm cannon named Nancy that is capable of firing four pound cannon balls- a Drake design for use on ships Photo Trevor Porter 67552 11

Keith Blundell and Sue Ashman with the 85 mm cannon named Nancy that is capable of firing four pound cannon balls- a Drake design for use on ships Photo Trevor Porter 67552 11

Chairman of Chippenham Town council's amenities, culture and leisure Committee James Bradbury added: “It is good to see people coming together for one of the wide variety of cultural events that we like to support in Chippenham.”

Plenty more historical events await in Chippenham

The Pop-Up Pedestal Street Theatre will be in the Market Place between 11am and 2pm. Free to attend, people have the chance to meet Florence Nightingale as part of Chippenham Museum’s Victorian Summer.

The following weekend, on August 21, Victorian Day will be held.

People can Chippenham Museum for a day of all things Victorian. From croquet and a penny-farthing to lacemaking and how to dance a quadrille, you can discover the genteel pastimes of Kilvert’s World.

This free event is part of Chippenham Museum’s Victorian Summer of workshops, talks and activities alongside exhibition Kilvert’s World. The exhibition, free entry and open until 9 October, explores the life and work of Rev. Francis Kilvert whose diary written in Victorian Chippenham is now read across the world.

Other events include:

Children’s Writing & Performance Day Workshop

Wednesday 11 August

9.30am – 3.30pm, £20, ages 8+

Write stories and poems before working together to perform to a small audience of family and friends.

Creative Writing for Adults

Six sessions, Wednesdays 1 – 29 September & event on 9 October

£45, all levels of writer welcome

Each week will have a different focus with writing exercises, explorations of language and peer discussion.