Villagers relive the history of Bardwell in pageant
Medieval times were brought to life in a village as part of a project to restore the stained glass windows of a church.
A medieval walkabout pageant –called Illuminating the Knight – was held in Bardwell on Saturday.
Sharon Dawson, owner of Bardwell Manor Equestrian Centre took part in the pageant by closing her riding school for the day and providing horses to take part in the show.
Sharon said: “It went very well, it was sold out. The cast was completely made up of local people – adults and children.”
The Spinning Wheel Theatre came down to the village for the afternoon to help villagers with their acting skills and provided the props an costumes.
Toolbox also sponsored the event.
Children from Bardwell Primary School were also involved in the pageant.
The event used landmark events to chart the history of Bardwell – the Black Death, Peasants’ Revolt and Hundred Years war.
At the centre of the story was Sir William de Berdewell, benefactor to St Peter and St Paul’s Church.
The village was awarded funding from the lottery to restore the stained glass windows in St Peter and St Paul’s Church on the condition they host a community event.
Around 175 people attended.
The De Mowbray Retinue also camped in Bardwell Church Meadow and were open for visitors for demonstrations of living history.
The church project received £46,300 from the Heritage Lottery fund and £10,000 from the National Churches repair grant.
Sharon added: “It was brilliant, a really good event, everyone said how funny it was.”
