Heysham gets ready for first Viking Festival this weekend

The year is 937 and Viking clans will be stopping off at Heysham village for supplies, ready for their great battle.

Olaf Guthfrithson, King of Dublin, Constantine, King of Scotland and Owen, King of Strathclyde, are marching south to engage Æthelstan, King of England at the great battle of Brunanburgh.

The battle will once and for all cement England into a single nation and the party raids will be scouring the village for supplies but can the local warriors beat them off and save the village?

Organised by Heysham Neighbourhood Council the Heysham Viking Festival will celebrate 1,200 years of Viking heritage.

The first free annual event takes place at 10am- 5pm on Saturday July 16 to July 17 in the centre of the village on Main Street and on the village green. There will be battle re-enactments, a living history encampment, weapons display, combat competition, a fairground and food stalls.

The days start off with a parade of Viking warriors, with weapon demonstrations, acting, a battle and the chance for children to test themselves against the warriors. On Saturday night there is a hog roast and Viking party with Serpentyne playing in the Royal Hotel. On Sunday see warriors pit themselves in single combat against others to become the Heysham champion.