HISTORIC Castle Park will be the venue for this year’s medieval festival - which will have its own special currency.

This year, the festival, along with the oyster fayre, will be held on Saturday and Sunday, June 2 and 3.

From 10am until 5pm, there will be a plethora of activities for families to watch and take part in.

Don Quinn, who has organised the event, said there are plenty of exciting attractions in store.

He said: “More than 50 archers will be competing over Britain’s most complex and authentic bow shoots. New targets have been organised for this year, including the mysterious ‘hanged man’ and the ‘poppinjay’.”

This year, the festival and market will also have its own currency. The special coin with the town’s coat of arms has been minted on copper using traditional methods.

Each coin can be bought for £1 and can be spent at the fair and market for the same value. For each coin sold 10p will be donated to charity.

There will also be a number of medieval stalls selling crafts.

A number of musicians will be providing entertainment over the weekend.

Mr Quinn added: “Swordsmen will demonstrate their skills and birds of prey will sweep the skies above the crowds.

“Children will hunker down and be spellbound listening to wonderful tales from our story tellers of Saxon, Viking and Tudor tales.

“You would be a fool not to love the puppet theatre medieval booth show.”

Wandering entertainers with hurdy gurdies, bagpipes, recorders, drums, and fiddles will be mingling with the crowds to get them into the spirit.

Colchester’s own medieval musicians, the Colchester Waits, will also perform for visitors and dancers will join in with the entertainment.

Other attractions include an apothecary who will provide information on how chemistry can cure. Rope makers will also show how to make their crafts and the beautiful lady of the fayre will be giving fashion advice on how people dressed in her times.

The Colchester Gin Biscuit and Colchester Cordial will also be on sale, as well as a hog roast, lamb, ale and mead.

A pie man will be wandering around selling his produce, and the famous oysters will be amongst the delicacies available over the weekend.

Tickets, which cost £6 per child or £12 per adult for the weekend, or £3 per child and £7 per adult for a day, can be bought at the park or at www.foodanddrinkfestivalsuk.co.uk.