Fancy meeting Oliver Cromwell? A Wrexham village’s bloody civil war past will come under the spotlight at a special event on Saturday, September 19.
A free community heritage day is being organised in Holt, where members of the public can travel back in time to meet Oliver Cromwell – the man who led the ‘roundheads’ during England’s vicious civil war over 350 years ago.
The village was the scene of some fierce fighting and St Chad’s still bears the scars, with musket ball damage visible inside the church.
A civil war re-enactment group will bring those troubled times back to life with volleys of musket fire and blazing cannons, along with a living history encampment and displays.
There will be the chance to imagine what life was like in the 17th Century and explore the remains of Holt Castle with a guided tour, or have a go at being a medieval bowman. Other attractions include Local History Society displays, street sellers, a hog roast, village stocks, falconry displays and fun and games for all the family.
The event takes place on Saturday, September 19 around the Cross, Kenyon Hall, St Chad’s Church and Holt Castle from 10.30am-4pm.
Oliver Cromwell and the Mayor of Wrexham, Councillor Arwel Gwynn Jones, will get the proceedings underway, with Cromwell’s troops marching at 10.30am from St Chad’s to the Cross to oversee the opening.
Organised by local volunteers, the event is part of an ongoing project called The Wrexham Story: your History, your Future, which was launched last year to celebrate and preserve the borough’s rural heritage.
It’s also one of several Wrexham events featured in this year’s Open Doors programme – a nationwide celebration of Welsh architecture and heritage which takes place throughout September.
For more information contact Karen Harris at Northern Marches Cymru on 01978 298383, pick up an Open Doors programme from the Wrexham Tourist Information Centre in Lambpit Street or visit www.civictrustwales.org
