Town turns out for Charter celebration (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Town turns out for Charter celebration

CHIPPING Norton was caught in a 17th century time warp on Sunday as the historic town dressed up to celebrate the 400th anniversary of its charter.

Oxford University loaned the town council robes for a grand re-enactment of the granting of the charter by King James I, with councillors leading a procession from the Guildhall to St Mary's Church for a commemorative service. PC Simon Towers, long-serving beat bobby for the town, lead the procession carrying the town mace, which was retrieved from bank vaults for the occasion.

The service was followed by official merrymaking in the Town Hall and Market Place helped along by a special ale, Charter 400, brewed especially by the local Hook Norton Brewery.

Trestle tables were loaded with platters of 17th century food researched by Chipping Norton Local History Group and made by 22 ladies from the group, Chipping Norton WI and Over Norton WI.

Local historian Jan Cliff said: "All the ladies were cooking like mad the night before. We looked up ancient recipes for Oxfordshire sausages, venison pie, rout cakes, whetstone cakes, game pate, and original mincemeat which had meat and fruit in it. We had a tremendous display, and we all dressed up in costume to serve it. Everybody enjoyed themselves."

Chipping Norton Mayor Cllr Don Davidson, said: "It was a great kick-off for our year of celebrations. There were nearly 400 people packed into the church for the 17th century-style service, and the Town Hall was full afterwards. Morris dancers led everyone back up the hill from the church to the hall and I think they were a bit out of breath by the time we got there. Among the guests were Andrew and Catherine Fulljames, the deputy chairman of Oxfordshire Council, who dressed up as merchants of the time.

"There was a terrific atmosphere throughout with people dressed in period costume - plus the odd wristwatch and 21st century accessory."

Other events planned as part of the celebrations include Prince Charles attending a concert by the English Chamber Orchestra at St Mary's Church on Saturday, May 27, a beer festival organised by Chipping Norton Rugby Club at Greystones on June 17, a Rotary Car Day on July 2, also at Greystones, a series of Charter lectures by Oxford University experts in October, a horticultural evening with TV expert Chris Beardshaw on October 18, and a music festival with the accent on 17th century works next March.