Milestone For Holly Holy Day (From Crewe Guardian)

Milestone For Holly Holy Day In Nantwich

12:20pm Friday 16th September 2011 in News

THE date for next year’s Holly Holy Day celebrations in Nantwich has been set for Saturday January 21st – and the organisers wand local residents to get involved.

This will be the 40th anniversary of the re-enactment of the Battle of Nantwich becoming a major part of Holly Holy Day, with civil war soldiers from the Sealed Knot marching into the town and a spectacular display on Mill Island.

Organisers, with the support of the Crewe and Nantwich Weaver Rotary group, aim to produce something ‘a bit special’ for the milestone.

"Despite it taking place in January, the last couple of Holly Holy Days have given the town a real carnival atmosphere, as well as boosting trade”, said Shaun Cafferty of the Holly Holy Day Society, which stages the event.

“Especially this year, we see it as a day to not only remember and celebrate the battle which lifted the siege of Nantwich back in 1644, but also to celebrate the rich history of the town of Nantwich generally throughout all the centuries."

But he warned that without more practical help, the future of the event after next year could be in doubt.

He said: "So many local people love and treasure this event, and that’s what keeps us going.

“But we are a very small group of about half a dozen and inevitably over time, people move out of the area or feel that they have done their bit and need a break from it.

"The event does not organise and fund itself, so we are looking for people who can help with administration and paperwork, publicity, and promoting the event to local businesses without whose financial backing we would be lost.

"The time commitment is not massive if the work can be shared out amongst a greater number of reliable people, and there is a huge sense of satisfaction when you see Holly Holy Day unfold."

Holly Holy Day’s patron, local MP Edward Timpson, said: “Holly Holy Day does a great job in lifting everyone’s spirits in the dull period after Christmas, and also boosts the local economy at a difficult time of year.

“I would encourage individuals and businesses to get involved and lend a hand to a very worthwhile event."