Westbury joins Magna Carta parade

VOLUNTEERS from Westbury represented the town at a parade in Salisbury to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta signing last month.

Westbury’s section featured a giant baron, participants in medieval costume, and shields painted by pupils of Westbury Junior school.

Pupils from Matravers School also took part in the procession, handing out special scroll copies of a ‘Magna Carta  newspaper’ front page, and Mayor of Westbury, cllr David Bradshaw attended in his new robes. He was joined by Wiltshire councillors and representatives of the town council.

Community area manager, Sally Hendry, who took part in the parade said, “It was a truly wonderful and fun event which was really well supported by people from the communities, as well as the crowds cheering us through the city streets.

“It was a great example of communities getting together and it attracted people of all ages.”

Bratton Community Orchard also took part, with a trolley featuring Wiltshire species of apple trees, and baskets of apples which were given away to the crowds.

The pageant, marking the 800 years since the historic document was sealed, took place in Salisbury with participants from communities across Wiltshire.

The Magna Carta was one of the first official documents to protect human rights and freedom. Its influence can be seen in modern charters such as the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the US Constitution and Bill of Rights.