Annual re-enactment revives major Civil War battle

A town is preparing to host its annual English Civil War re-enactment on Saturday.

It is one of a series of events organised in Nantwich throughout the year to attract footfall into the town centre.

“It keeps the town’s shops lively,” said Keith Lawrence, a member of the re-enactment event's organising committee.

“Nantwich is probably the best preserved medieval town in Cheshire, and a lot of it is original, so [the event is] mainly to maintain the fact that it’s worth visiting.”

The first re-enactment of the battle took place in 1973, and organisers said it had since grown into a major occasion.

Mr Lawrence said it was the only re-enactment of its type during the winter, as it is organised to take place on the nearest Saturday to the anniversary of the original battle in 1644.

Mr Lawrence added of the original that it was a major victory for the Parliamentarians.

“All the churches had to celebrate the fact there had been this major victory up in the north," he said.

“It was the fact that suddenly the Parliamentarians had actually won a battle after all the losses in 1643.”

Events begin in the town centre at 10:00 GMT, including Morris dancing and musket demonstrations.

A troop inspection takes place in the town centre at 13:30 GMT, while the main battle re-enactment begins at 14:00 on Mill Island following an artillery display shortly after 13:45.

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