Organisers are busy preparing for another “Battle of Nantwich” Holly Holy Day celebration which will take place on Saturday 24th January.
The Sealed Knot’s faithful troops will gather in the town to re-enact the battle that took place in 1644, marking the end of the siege of the town during the English Civil War.
There will be a variety of activities during the day at St Mary’s Church in Acton, St Mary’s Church in Nantwich, Nantwich Museum, and the town square, along with a parade and the battle re-enactment on Mill Island.
There will be live entertainment including Musket, Pike and Drums demonstrations on the town square and Morris Dancers around the town, from 10am.
There will also be tours of St Mary’s Nantwich from 10am and a talk inside the church at 11.45am.
Nantwich Museum on Pillory Street has Civil War guided 1.5-hour walking tours from the museum at 9.45am and 11.30am (walking tour tickets £6 (members £5), children free).
Children’s activities will take place between 10am-3pm. Plus an exhibition looking at the history of the Civil War in Cheshire.
The parade of hundreds of Sealed Knot troops leaves Malbank School & Sixth Form College at 12.45pm and travels along Welsh Row to arrive in the town centre at 1pm.
The wreath-laying ceremony at the war memorial on the town square at 1.15pm will commemorate the people who died in the Civil War Battle of Nantwich and other battles.
There will be a troop inspection at 1.30pm before the Sealed Knot troops parade to Mill Island to re-enact the 1644 battle.
Spectators are welcome onto Mill Island from 1.45pm. Cost = £5 for adults, £2 for children (5 to 15 years), £4 for concessions and £10 family of 4 (2 adults/2 children).
Volunteers are welcome to help with marshalling on the day, directing public and crowd control, selling wristbands, assisting with clear down, and litter picking on Mill Island.
To express an interest please email [email protected]
Jo Lowry, chairperson of Holly Holy Day committee, said: “Holly Holy Day is a much-loved tradition that brings our community together to celebrate Nantwich’s rich history.
“We’re proud to offer a day filled with learning, entertainment, and commemoration, and we can’t wait to welcome visitors of all ages.”
A spokesperson for Nantwich Town Council said: “The Town Council is proud to support Battle of Nantwich as one of our key sponsored organisations through our annual grant scheme.
“This funding reflects our commitment to investing in local initiatives that strengthen community spirit, provide positive opportunities, and deliver real benefits for our residents.
“Supporting organisations like this helps us ensure our town continues to thrive.”
For further information visit https://www.facebook.com/battleofnantwich or https://www.battleofnantwich.org/
It is the Town Council who make the charge. The Sealed Knot are a charity so do not make any money.
Didn’t realise they’d now started charging a fiver to watch it. The Sealed knot lot used to do it for free back in my day so they could dress up in silly clothes and play soldiers for the day, then spend the night getting drunk in Nantwich.