Vikings invade town centre

VIKINGS in long boats and knights on horseback invaded the town centre last weekend.
Over 70 re-enactors and 50 specialist traders stepped back in time on Saturday 6 September when the town centre hosted a Warrington Medieval Market, attracting record crowds of medieval enthusiasts keen to experience and sample a taste of Warrington market history.
Visitors were given the opportunity to fire an arrow at a knight in armour, using crossbows and longbows while crowds were entertained with medieval music by London ‘medieval rockers’ Serpentyne and atmospheric Liverpool band Leafblade.
Market customers were treated to displays and archaeology demonstrations and there were stalls selling jewellery, woodwork, metal work, crystals, medieval costumes and props.
There has been a market in Warrington since the year 1255 when the population of the borough was in the region of 600 people. Today, the population has grown in excess of 220,000 and there are now around 600 people employed in Warrington’s large indoor market.
Cllr Mike Hannon, deputy leader of Warrington Borough council, visited the event on the day and said: “It was great to see the town centre so vibrant and our medieval market complimented a beer festival taking place in the Golden Square. It was a good example of working together to make the town centre a fantastic visitor attraction.
“Markets are all about people, and the individual efforts of every single person involved in any of our events is clear to see, and their enthusiasm becomes infectious. In conclusion, if we enjoy ourselves then so do our customers.”