Step back in time to the 16th century at Royal Market Charter celebrations
BRIDGEND is stepping back in time 500 years to 1516 on Saturday to celebrate the granting of the Royal Market Charter by King Henry VIII.
Town councillor David Unwin said with a variety of entertainment, fun and games from the times of the Tudors it promises to “be a pageant never seen before locally”.
From 10am visitors will be able to learn how the Tudors cured ailments, watch a Tudor blacksmith at work and enjoy traditional Tudor music, dancing and storytelling.
Free interactive workshops will also be available in the town centre including Tudor pottery, cooking, leather purse making and toy making, together with ink, quill and parchment making, Tudor soap and candle making, spinning, weaving and arrow making.
‘King Henry’ will make a Royal Progress around the town accompanied by one of his s six wives and offer an audience with the ‘King’ to receive petitions from m local folk on all manner of subjects.
At noon the Market Charter ceremony will take place in Dunraven Place when the ‘King’ will present the Royal Market Charter to the current Mayor of Bridgend Town Rob Morgan. n.
There will also be an opportunity to take free guided tours of the historical landmarks of Bridgend, which include e the oldest dwelling house, St John’s Hospice, where visitors can see the restoration work k being carried out.
Coun Unwin also paid d tribute to John Dunkley -Williams, of the Bridgend History Library in Sunnyside, who had unearthed valuable documents relating to Market Charters.