THE countdown is on as Ellesmere looks to celebrate the 800th anniversary of being granted a market charter this weekend.

Fizzgigs, Ellesmere’s Community Arts Group, is putting the finishing touches to its quirky celebration which starts from 10am on Saturday, where members of their band will be entertaining visitors attending a special market.

At 10.30am Medieval towns-folk will assemble outside the current market hall in Scotland Street in readiness for a royal visit from Lady Joan of Wales together with her famous husband Llewellyn and their entourage.

There will follow an imagined re-enactment of the granting of the town's market charter in 1221, when Ellesmere was one of the first in the country to receive such a charter.

"It’s been great fun working on this project," said Rosemary Drake, from Fizzgigs.

"It’s a wonderful joint effort. We hope even the costumes and props will entertain the crowd."

Ellesmere Town Council has arranged for a section of Scotland Street to be closed to traffic to make way for the street market. There will also be stalls inside the market building.

This will run from 9am until 4pm, stalls will be set out so that social distancing rules can easily be followed.

Other entertainment is being planned for later in the day including two sessions by popular and well-known local children’s story-teller, Jake Evans.

Kate Westgate, also from Fizzgigs, added: "Currently the forecast is set fair.

"We hope lots of people turn out to enjoy our antics.

"The unusual event is just one in a range of events and installations Fizzgigs has been responsible for and which helps to mark out Ellesmere as a very special place to live."

Fizzgigs will be repeating the performance from 2pm at Criftins Summer Fair the same day.