THE clock is due to be turned back hundreds of years in Tavistock?s Meadows at the beginning of next month when the sights, sounds and smells of medieval days will be recreated in celebration of the 900th anniversary of the town?s market charter. The medieval weekend on July 2 and 3 is the biggest event so far during a year-long programme of celebrations and is guaranteed to be a unique experience for residents and visitors alike. Cllr Iain Andrews, chairman of the charter group, said the weekend would be the highlight of a fantastic year in Tavistock. He said: ?We have some of the best medieval re-enactment groups in the country coming for the whole weekend. ?They will live, eat, fight and entertain as though the clocks in Tavistock had been instantly turned back 900 years, to when the first market charter was presented to the town in 1105. ?The only modern luxury they will have will be fresh water and toilets. They will be living with fires and tallow candles, living just as our ancestors did.? Cllr Andrews said there will be opportunities for the public to try their hand at archery and dancing, taste foods and drinks prepared in medieval fashion and even have a go at courtly medieval dancing. Refreshments with a medieval flavour will also be on sale. The medieval weekend has been through some detailed planning to make sure all the elements are authentic. Moira Andrews, charter events organiser, has also had to ensure safety is paramount. She said: ?We have carried out detailed risk assessments for the safe firing of the cannons, the archery and the medieval fighting demonstrations. ?It?s been a lot of hard work, but I know it will be worth it.? Mrs Andrews said the entire weekend will be free of admission charges, so that everyone can enjoy the event. ?There will be opportunities for everyone to take part and feel part of the history of this great town,? she said. The weekend starts with a grand procession in costume from Bedford Square to the Meadows at 9.45am. At 10am there will be a recreation of the presentation of the original market charter to Tavistock, followed by the official opening by the mayor of Tavistock, Jenny Metcalf. During the Saturday and Sunday, re-enactment group the Courteneyes will demonstrate the art of firing a medieval canon, there will be dancing and music from Renaissance, followed by the Grand Medieval Medicine Show. This will be staged by the Heuristics re-enactment group, who will demonstrate the potions and preventatives which kept kings, princes and paupers healthy in the Middle Ages. Heuristics will also stage a demonstration called Tide and Time, involving medieval sciences. There will be hobby horse racing and a thrilling medieval battle, brought to life by the Courteneyes, who will also demonstrate their skills with replica weapons in a separate demonstration. On the Saturday only, there will also be two separate performances called Pillar of Fire, involving Tavistock school children, which take place in the Parish Church Centre. This charts the history of Tavistock in song and verse. Cllr Metcalf said: ?I think the whole weekend sounds very exciting and very imaginative ? as a big fan of the Brother Cadfael books, I am looking forward to seeing their representations of our medieval past.?