Warwick ready to mark its roots and show contemporary triumphs

When town and district councillor Moira Ann Grainger takes over as mayor of Warwick in May the celebrations for the 1100 year celebrations of the town’s founding will already be well underway,
By The Newsroom
Published 7th Mar 2014, 07:00 BST

Cllr Grainger (Con, Warwick North) will be entering her eighth year in office and says: “I thought it was magic when I realised I’d be mayor during the anniversary year.

“Especially as my father, Gerry Guest, has been a town and district councillor here for the past 50 years.”

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Present mayor Cllr Bob Dhillon will preside over the start of the celebrations.

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Among the early highlights will be a brand new Spring Festival organised by the drama group Playbox between March 17 and March 30.

Playbox will make the most of an Arts Council grant to provide both street theatre and paid performances including cabaret at the High Pavement restaurant on March 17, a Shakespearean actor and clown at their Dream Factory in Shelley Avenue on March 18 and acrobats at the town’s market on Narch 22.

Warwick’s Half Marathon is due on March 23 and Billy Smart’s Circus next to the racecourse from March 25 to 30 will round off this month.

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Throughout April there will be hot air balloon rides from St Nicholas Park, a fun fair next to the racecourse between April 10 and 13 and a loud and exciting St George and the dragon procession throughout the town on April 19.

The Visitor Centre in the restored Court House will have open days on May 3 and 4 and in St Mary’s Church there will be an exhibition featuring the town’s real-life Saxon ‘Warrior Queen” from May 8 until October.

Also appearing in the church on May 10 will be St James’s Singers commemorating the First World War while on May 16 the award winning Market Hall Museum will go back to its roots as a market for the night and welcome a visit from acclaimed British artist Alex Hartley.

In May there’ll be a Day of Dance a town crier competition in Pageant Gardens.

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In June the Warwick Words literary festival will acknowledge the town’s story. Among the other summer events will be a Freedom Parade with the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers on June 6 and a Music Festival in St Mary’s from June 19 to 29.

For the full programme visit www.warwick1100yrs.co.uk

Related topics:Arts Council