THE village of Sherston is gearing up to celebrate the millennium anniversary of its most iconic moment in history.

After nearly six years of planning, the celebrations for the 1,000 year anniversary of the Battle of Sherston are in place and the village is a hub of excitement in anticipation.

Re-enactors have already descended on the town, entertaining and educating pupils at Sherston Primary School about the historic event.

The battle took place in 1016 when Cnut the Great of Denmark and his army fought a West Saxon army led by King Edmund in a two-day skirmish on the hills around Sherston starting on June 25.

Both armies were eventually called off after much bloodshed on both sides, with neither side winning the day.

Tradition has it that John Rattlebone, the leader of the local militia, fought at the battle of Sherston against the Danes.

The story goes that he was severely wounded and clasped a nearby piece of Cotswold stone to his side to keep his innards in, before fighting on.

Now a symbol of Sherston and its community, he not only has a pub in his name – the Rattlebone Inn – but he appears on the Sherston primary school badge and the Sherston Scouts have a Rattlebone group.

Sherston resident Richard Stancomb has organised a guest lecture on Saturday (25) by Dr Timothy Bolton, a graduate of Corpus Chisti Cambridge and a fellow of Cardiff and Aberdeen University.

Dr Bolton will be talking about Cnut and his involvement in the battle, a subject he has written books on.

Mr Stancomb is keen to get people from Sherston involved in the historic aspect of the millennium celebration.

“Sherston is a village that has very little history,” he said.

“The battle was one moment of limelight if you like.”

The battle celebrations are already underway however, with a group of Vikings invading Sherston Primary School giving a talk about the battle.

Tomorrow (24) there will be a garment printing session at the village hall from 3.30-4.30pm for children and 7pm for adults.

The entertainment kicks off in full on Saturday at 10.16am at the Recreation Ground however, with a bar, BBQ, weapons display, bellringing and the much-anticipated re-enactment of the Battle of Sherston.

Children will also have the opportunity to get dressed up and take part in a battle of their own at 1pm.

The day will be topped-off with the lecture from Tim Bolton at 7.30pm at Holy Cross Church. Tickets cost £10 with a glass of vino.

The talk will be followed by an all evening party at the Rattlebone Inn and then fireworks at the church at 10.16pm.

Richard Langley, a member of the 1016 Society, the team behind organising the bulk of the celebrations, believes it is a great opportunity for the village to come together.

“The battle is so much a part of local folk law and history in the village,” he said.

“Everybody’s been interested and intrigued. It’ll all be good family fun.”