Residents in Addingham are gearing up for a Millennium festival weekend at St Peter's Church - and will celebrate the discovery of some of the village's first settlers.

The event marking 1,000 years of Christianity in the community will feature references to skeletons unearthed during work to build a church hall.

The latest bones to be excavated were sent for examination by scientists at Bradford University to see what they could discover about the early community which existed between 800-1000AD.

Because of this link with the past, festival organisers have called the event Paying Tribute to the Past, Looking Forward with Vision.

Events will include short walks around the church led by local historian Arnold Pacey on Saturday, May 27. Anyone wanting to take part should meet in the church for the walks at 11.30am, 2pm and 4pm.

Vicar Andrew Tawn said he was hoping to increase his knowledge of the area's past by taking part. "I like to think I know a fair bit about the church's history but I am expecting to learn a bit more," said Reverend Tawn.

Also on the Saturday there will be a concert of words and music at the church at 7.30pm, which will celebrate 1,000 years of church music.

On Sunday, May 28, there will be a thanksgiving Eucharist at 10am and festival evensong at 6pm.

On Monday, May 29, there will be church bell-ringing, children's treasure hunts and short musical recitals between 2pm and 5pm.

Each day during the festival there will be afternoon teas, served in the church hall, and exhibitions of art, artefacts and flowers. Admission to the events is free but there will be collections for the Christian Aid charity.

Addingham's early documented Christian history began when Bishop Wulfhere took refuge in the settlement around 876AD.

Experts have discovered from tests carried out on the bones that tuberculoses and anaemia were common at the time.

Some of the skeletons showed signs of healed wounds and one had three unhealed sword injuries to the skull, one of which almost certainly killed him.

Rev Tawn said when the examinations were completed the remains would be reburied, probably together, in the churchyard or on land nearby.

Discussions are taking place to decide on a fitting monument to mark the new grave and a Saxon Cross has been suggested.

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