MEDIEVAL MARKET

Saturday, January 18:

5am -- Traders begin to arrive to set up stalls.

9am -- Official opening of medieval market. Town Crier Barrry McQueen to announce official opening once ceremony completed.

10am -- Tapestry of Music to perform as strolling players along Churchgate (30 mins).

10.30am -- Mel Ascroft -- strolling accordion and euphonium player in Churchgate.

11am -- Punch and Judy show (30 mins).

11.30am -- Peel of Bells from Bolton Parish Church.

12 noon -- Formal Proclamation at Mother Cross -- re-enactment of granting of Charter.

12.30pm -- Punch and Judy show.

1pm -- Tapestry of Music strolling players.

1.30pm -- Mel Ascroft strolling player.

2pm-3pm -- Mayor to sign and seal copies of Charter in front room of Man and Scythe.

Music from Man and Scythe window -- Geoff Garcia.

3pm -- Punch and Judy show.

3.30pm -- Tapestry of Music strolling players.

4pm --Mel Ascroft strolling player.

5pm -- End of Market.

THROUGHOUT THE DAY:

"Peelers" in period costume to "police" Churchgate.

Horse-drawn carriage between Churchgate and Victoria Square all day; hot chestnuts; baked potatoes and black peas; traditional organ; The Venue Youth Theatre in costume; swing boats; traditional carousel and hand-turned swings; Jousting Knights.

Spectacular floral art displays created by Bolton Horwich and Harwood Floral Art clubs will be on display at the Lion of Vienna Suite at the Reebok. The displays will cover nine themes of life in Bolton throughout the 750 years since the Charter was granted. The exhibition will be open to the public on Saturday, January 18 from 10am to 4pm. Admission is £1.50.

Sunday, January 19:

10am -- Medieval Marker opens -- official announcement by Town Crier Barry McQueen.

10.30am -- Tapestry of Music strolling players.

11am -- Mel Ascroft strolling player.

11.30am -- Peel of Bells from Bolton Parish Church (30 mins).

12 noon -- Formal Proclamation -- re-enactment of granting of Charter.

12.30pm -- Tapestry of Music strolling players.

1pm -- Mel Ascroft strolling player.

1.30pm -- Appalachian dancers.

2pm-3pm -- Mayor to sign and seal copies of Charter in front room of Man and Scythe.

Medieval Music from Man and Scythe window -- Geoff Garcia.

3pm -- Market to cease trading.

THROUGHOUT THE DAY:

"Peelers" in period costume to "police" Churchgate.

Horse-drawn carriage between Churchgate and Victoria Square all day; hot chestnuts; baked potatoes and black peas; traditional organ; The Venue Youth Theatre in costume; swing boats; traditional carousel and hand-turned swings; Jousting Knights.

Saturday and Sunday, January 18 and 19 on Victoria Square:

Vintage vehicles; fire service vehicles, vintage taxis, vintage buses.

Dido Suite: Fire Service interactive exhibition.

SUNDAY, January 19

8am The Mayor and Mayoress will attend a service at the Parish Church where the Mayor will light the lantern which will be used throughout the day.

9.30am The Mayor and Mayoress will visit St Maxtentius Church, Bradshaw.

10.15am The Mayor and Mayoress arrive at St Bartholomew's Church, Kearsley,

11am the Mayor and Mayoress visit Holy Trinity Church, Horwich.

Noon The Mayor and Mayoress arrive for a visit to the Medieval Market for the proclamation and signing of Charters at the Man and Scythe pub, Churchgate.

3pm A band will play on the Town Hall steps.

The public are invited to gather at the Festival Hall to take part in the procession through the town with standard bearers, schoolchildren and the Civic party.

3.38pm The procession leaves the Festival Hall. The route will be Hotel Street, Mealhouse Lane, Deansgate and into Churchgate.

4pm The service begins. towards the end of the service, the Mayor and Mayoress will leave with the lantern to visit the districts.

6pm Mayor and Mayoress arrive at St Katherine's Church, Blackrod.

6.45pm Mayor and Mayoress arrive at Trinity Methodist Church, Farnworth.

7.30pm They visit St Matthew's Church, Little Lever.

Timings are approximate and may vary.