1066 anniversary: Hundreds head to Battle for a day of events

Hundreds of people descended on Battle yesterday (Friday, October 14) for a day of events marking the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings.
A day of events took place in Battle to mark the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings. Picture by Jack Duggan. SUS-161015-111423001A day of events took place in Battle to mark the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings. Picture by Jack Duggan. SUS-161015-111423001
A day of events took place in Battle to mark the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings. Picture by Jack Duggan. SUS-161015-111423001

Schoolchildren dressed as Normans and Saxons paraded out of the Abbey Gatehouse and down High Street, led by a military band, to kick off the celebrations for 1066.

In the Abbey grounds, pretend soldiers rehearsed the reenactment of the Battle of Hastings scheduled for the weekend.

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On either side of the battlefield, the Norman and Saxon camps were set up with people cooking and sewing and others making weapons, all dressed in 11th century garments.

A balloon castle created to mark the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings. Picture by Jack Duggan. SUS-161015-111555001A balloon castle created to mark the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings. Picture by Jack Duggan. SUS-161015-111555001
A balloon castle created to mark the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings. Picture by Jack Duggan. SUS-161015-111555001

Back in the town, a castle made of balloons is attracting many intrigued visitors at Battle and Langton Primary School, with an inflated gallows, royal bed, trebuchet and even a King Richard with an arrow through his eye.

The beautiful sculpture of a horse is now on show on the roundabout by Battle Library, which is home to a display of work by schoolchildren.

In the Memorial Halls, the community tapestry is on show as well as entertainment for kids.

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At 3.30pm, a service to commemorate the anniversary was held at St Mary’s Parish Church before another parade and performance from the military band at 5.30pm on Abbey Green.

A day of events took place in Battle to mark the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings. Picture by Jack Duggan. SUS-161015-111436001A day of events took place in Battle to mark the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings. Picture by Jack Duggan. SUS-161015-111436001
A day of events took place in Battle to mark the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings. Picture by Jack Duggan. SUS-161015-111436001

A final parade at 6.20pm ended the day’s events after a flag-lowering ceremony at dusk on the green.

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Hastings Week: 1066 march down Battle High Street. Photo by Frank Copper. SUS-161015-062148001Hastings Week: 1066 march down Battle High Street. Photo by Frank Copper. SUS-161015-062148001
Hastings Week: 1066 march down Battle High Street. Photo by Frank Copper. SUS-161015-062148001

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