CARTMEL was the centre of a long-weekend of festivities to celebrate the sealing of the Magna Carta last weekend.

The main attraction was the flower pageant at Cartmel Priory. The church had been decorated with stunning displays of floral artistry representing the incremental emancipation of all society: freedom and equality for all; democratic choice of government; supremacy of law; and fair justice for all.

The flower displays included art and artefacts to highlight significant cultural, scientific and artistic moments in history including the Women’s Institute, transport, trade, the reformation and medieval medicine.

Short performances of literature, poetry and music took place in the Priory during the festival and on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, the pews were packed with people listening to sublime concerts by Amabile Girl’s Choir, La Serenissima and Flookburgh Brass Band.

The facade of Cartmel Priory was completely transformed at dusk with a spectacle of lights, music and animated projections. The large crowds watched in silence, with many sitting on gravestones as the story of William the Marshal unfolded in glorious technicolour.

Cartmel Priory was founded by Knight William the Marshall in 1189. To celebrate his involvement with the sealing of Magna Carta, Tracey Venter of the local Black Horses made appearances dressed as the great knight on her magnificent stallion, Droomwals, flanked by two more Friesian horses, who cantered around the medieval camp sending divots flying.

Crowds cheered as the knight raised her sword and the stallion reared up in the arena.

The medieval camp was staged in one of the organiser’s paddocks on a beautiful sunny weekend. Howard Seaton, who organised the camp and Son et Lumiere said he was delighted to see so many visitors. “The whole Cartmel community has worked tirelessly for months to bring all aspects of the celebrations together and we all got dressed up in medieval costume, which was great fun,” he said. “There has been something for everyone, from the flowers in the Priory to knights fighting and beautiful Friesian horses.”

At the medieval camp visitors could watch demonstrations of wood turning, cooking over an open fire and archery competitions.

William English gave demonstrations of the art of the blacksmith and local food and drink was provided by Cartmel Village Shop, Mighty Muffins, the Cavendish Arms and Unsworth’s Brewery.

The Cartmel in Bloom marquee was visited by hundreds of visitors who walked away with Angelica, horse radish and a variety of other herbs, beeswax candles, lavender bags and jars of thyme honey. More than 100 young visitors were delighted to try medieval costumes and have their face painted.

The Physic Garden was created by the pupils of the Cartmel Primary School under the supervision of Lesley Seaton.

Magna Carta has featured heavily in the activities of Cartmel in Bloom over the summer leading to it winning gold again in Cumbria in Bloom 2015. Planters were created in the colours of William Marshall and shields were painted by the pupils of the primary school and displayed in Unsworth's Yard.