Ellesmere street pageant takes town back 800 years

Members of the group staged a re-enactment of the granting of the market charter by Lady Joan, wife of Llewellyn, Prince of Wales in 1221.

Scotland Street was closed to traffic for an anniversary street market organised by the Ellesmere town council.

The street play featured medieval townsfolk who objected to the town being handed over by King John to Llewellyn as part of an attempt to quieten border disputes.

It told how the Welsh party led by Prince Llewellyn and Lady Joan came to Ellesmere to announce the market charter and the English reaction to the news that the charter came with a 13th century tax of 12 pennies for each resident.

“It was our version of how it could have been with a bit of silliness thrown in,” said the play’s co-writer and director, Jenny Wilbraham.

“Lady Joan rode a very handsome steed, Keincaled – a Welsh cob whose non-stage name is Tommy. Llewellyn brandished a dangerous looking sword, and they were all led in by a pompous herald. It was great to see the 21st century crowd’s reaction as Joan and Keincaled were led along the street.

“We also had a trumpeter and members of Fizzjigs, our very own band - as well as a jester, a dragon called Dilys and lots of other mediaeval characters who were having a bit of fun with the crowds."

Resident, Wendy Salter said: "There was a great atmosphere in town. We loved having a street market and Fizzgigs rocked it again.”

Retired history teacher, David Reffell praised the town and Fizzgigs for making the effort to mark the historic event.

“Well-done, Ellesmere, Fizzgigs and all. I feel proud to live here,” he said.

Jenny said Fizzgigs was delighted with the reaction of the crowds to the play.

“Everyone involved had a part to play in making it such a successful team effort. The good weather, crowds and authentic market setting made it even better,” she said.

The Fizzgigs team later performed the play at Criftins Summer Fair at the parish hall.

The art group's next event will be the Magical Plantation, an installation of phantasmagorical creatures in the Plantation off Sandy Lane, Ellesmere, running over the summer holidays from July 25.

Up to a dozen exotic woodland will be put in place along the paths and in the trees.

Fizzgigs chairman Ian Andrew said the event was aimed at tapping into the natural magic of the broad-leaved woodland as a way of highlighting The Plantation as a community resource.

The fantasy animals, insects and birds will be in place in The Plantation well into August. Visitors will be able to wander, free of charge, through the 2.7 hectares searching for the creatures.