The team behind the Townscape Heritage Initiative are set to launch the first West Lindsey event of the summer this Saturday – the Merrye Olde Market!
The Historic Street Market will begin a summer of events in the District – and will include costumed characters, entertainment and a series of stalls on Lord Street – one of the streets selected as part of the Townscape Heritage project.
Stalls will be supplied and set up by West Lindsey District Council, and will include hosts such as English Heritage, Old Nick Theatre, Mayflower 400 and the Forgotten Fair. There will be 12 stalls in total and each stall will represent a different era of history, providing free and inexpensive things to do and see.
The event will also include street musicians and further entertainment – adding to a safe but exciting town atmosphere!
Chairman of the Council, Cllr Steve England, will be attending the market and was delighted to be a part of the historic occasion.
He said: “Though we are still in the pandemic, and we will all have to follow the relevant national measures in place at the time, this Market begins an exciting schedule of events taking place in our District – and will be swiftly followed with other grand attractions, such as the re-opening of Gainsborough Old Hall.
“I am proud to be attending this launch – and proud that the organisers have managed to pull off a safe, and fun-filled festival, for us all. I want to thank everybody involved, and look forward to seeing everybody on the day and being out once more within the community.”
Chief Executive of West Lindsey District Council, Ian Knowles, also attending the market, said he was proud of the team for putting everything together.
He said: “As everybody knows, we are in uncertain times, and planning an event like this can be difficult. The Townscape Heritage Initiative team have worked day and night to launch their campaign in style – with a full day of fun and entertainment ready to launch the summer in West Lindsey. I am thrilled and delighted to be a part of it, and hope everybody has the date in their diary!”
Townscape Heritage Activity Co-ordinator Theresa Workman, organising the event, said she wanted to see as many residents turn out as possible.
She said: “Everything is set up to be an entertaining, fun-filled and safe day. This is the official beginning of our work to restore and improve the historic buildings in the town centre – a £1.25m project funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
“This market is our way of helping locals and visitors connect with the grand historic past of the town, and to celebrate the beginning of what we hope will be an exciting journey for the town and its future!”
A Historic Hat competition will also feature at the market – with every child that attends the event wearing a created hat winning an instant prize.
Chairman of the Council, Cllr Steve England and Chief Executive of West Lindsey District Council, Ian Knowles, will then lead the judging to award a superb prize to the best decorated hat in a ceremony taking place at 1.30pm.