THE Alton Community Festival combined a tribute to modern democracy with the opportunity to participate in a wide range of activities at the weekend.

To celebrate the 800th anniversary of King John signing the Magna Carta, children from Anstey Junior, St Lawrence and Wootey schools were given the opportunity on Saturday to take part in theatre workshops run by the Pheonix Theatre Group.

During the workshops, children learnedabout the history of the Magna Carta and how it brought about the beginning of what we call democracy in England. The children from the three schools then produced individual theatre productions.

“It was delightful to watch the children’s theatre interpretation of the Magna Carta and interesting to read about the new rules that the youth of Alton would implement today to make the town a better place,” said mayor Pam Jones.

The children’s ‘Alton Charter’ competition proved popular, with prizes from the Toy Shed and Alton College up for grabs. Prize winners who were not available to collect their prizes on the day will be invited to the town hall where the mayor will award them their prizes personally.

During the afternoon, Alton College’s playing field was turned into an “Agincourt battlefield” for the archery demonstration to mark the 600th anniversary of the conflict.

Members of Alton and Four Marks Archery Club dressed in period costume to fire hand-crafted arrows of the style that would have been used in the battle. The club also offered visitors to the event the opportunity to have a go at archery themselves with expert tuition from the club instructors.

The college itself was filled with informative stalls for charities, community groups, tourist attractions and children’s activities. And town councillors Peter Hicks, Graham Titterington and Alan Chick were on hand with information for the public at the ‘Meet Your Council’ stall.

There were also activities for people to try out in the sports hall and live music throughout the afternoon provided by Alton College student Joe Murrell.