PLANS are afoot to recreate the Battle of Alton. The aim is to stage a similar event to the widely acclaimed Millennium celebration which took the town by storm in 2000. Alton Initiatives Management (AIM) Ltd is to team up with Alton Town Council to invite the English Civil War Society to re-enact the skirmish which took place through the town, ending up in St Lawrence Church, where the Cavaliers made their last stand against the Roundheads in 1643. More than 200 re-enactors are expected to come to Alton to battle with pikes and muskets in the streets and to give living history demonstrations which will plunge the town back into the colour, fear and uncertainty of the English Civil War. It is expected to be a highlight of next year's calendar, and AIM manager Vernon Pearce is looking for volunteers and sponsors to help stage the event. He told The Herald: "This would be a major event for the town for which a lot of help and financial support would be needed. I am therefore looking for volunteers to form a committee to help with the planning and staging of the event. "I am also hoping that local schools will use the event as a means of informing the younger residents of the town about this important part of our heritage." Vernon Pearce is also seeking volunteers to help him organise this year's "40s Day" on Sunday, June 12. "It is the 60th anniversary of the Second World War ending this year and so I hope we can make the event even bigger and better than last year," he said. Anyone interested in helping with either event is asked to write to Vernon Pearce c/o the Alton Herald office at 13 Market Square, Alton GU34 1HD or by email to [email protected]">[email protected]. Sponsorship is also needed from local businesses and organisations. Anyone who would like to be associated with either or both of these prestigious events should contact Mr Pearce at the above address.
