Weekend of history from Tudor times to present day (From York Press)

Weekend of history from Tudor times to present day

8:20am Monday 20th July 2009 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(10)

PARACHUTE display teams, soldiers locked in battle and a Shakespearean performance were among a bumper weekend of events in York.

York Minster held a family fun day as part of the British Library touring exhibition, Henry VIII: Man And Monarch.

There was a wide range of Tudor-themed events and activities both inside and outside the Minster including Tudor craft stalls, brass rubbing, quill writing and a Dragon’s Hunt and Henry VIII trail for children.

An English Heritage display told visitors how monks lived during the time of Henry and the effects of the dissolution.

The Yorkshire Shakespeare Project also held short performances of Shakespeare’s Henry VIII.

Vicky Harrison, collections manager, said: “We wanted local families to come along and experience what Tudor life was like under the reign of one of England’s most important monarchs.”

The local military opened the gates to Imphal Barracks, in Fulford, for its annual open day.

The highlight of the day was the spectacular Ravens parachute display team, whose members leapt out of an Army Lynx helicopter into the blue skies, wowing the cheering crowds.

Corporal Nick Davison, 35, was one quarter of the team.

“I was previously a Red Devil, so I thrive on this kind of stuff,” he said. “York is a beautiful place, so I couldn’t think of a nicer place to jump in.”

The event included attractions such as a falconry display, military bands, Wildcat cheerleading, assault courses, Gurkha dancers and a Second World War display team.

The open day allowed residents throughout York and Yorkshire the chance to support their local soldiers during a difficult time operationally.

York was under siege at the weekend, as it was propelled 365 years into the past as part of an English Civil War re-enactment.

Swordsmen could be seen locked in battle in Tower Gardens, near Clifford’s Tower, as spectators were taken back to the 17th century. Members of the Sealed Knot historical association acted scenes from the Civil War ahead of a special ten-day English Civil War festival next month.

Spokeswoman Rachel Lacy said: “Despite adverse weather conditions we soldiered on and we had a wonderful response from the audience, who came from far and wide to watch the performances.”