GUNNISLAKE residents are enjoying their annual four-day festival, which started yesterday (Wednesday) and ends on Saturday. This year, with the scarecrows returning to guard various parts of the village and amuse all who pass through, there is great expectation as the Vikings are coming. The Cornish Arm of The Vikings — the oldest re-enactment society in the country — is visiting Gunnislake Festival on Saturday, to reproduce a Viking village and to demonstrate the battle order which would have been used at the Battle of Hingston Down in 838 AD. For decades the Cornish Dumnonia resisted the growing pressure from the Saxons of Wessex. In 838 they joined a Viking force and faced the Saxon army on the lower slopes on Hingston Down near Gunnislake. Their defeat at the hands of the Saxons brought an end to Cornish independence. The popular history exhibition in the public hall tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday, will focus on World War One and its effect on the village a century ago. The Callington Singers' Little Choir will perform a concert of sacred music in St Ann's Church on Friday at 7.30pm and at the same venue for all four festival days, the Festival Group of Artists will exhibit their works with guest exhibitors Melissa Chorosszewska on porcelain and Marylou Pethers on jewellery. The Saturday festivities begin at noon, with a fancy dress parade into the arena, led by the parish crier Hilary Fairhurst and the large number of stalls on display will be augmented by music from Yorkie, Blue Angel, the Jumping Out Jazzmen and crooner Michael Campari. The drama society GLAD will be performing 'A Farewell to Harmonicas' during the afternoon as an acknowledgement of the centenary of World War One. The four village hostelries will be providing music from bands throughout the festival, including out to Grass, Jarka, Yorkie and Rough Around the Edges. For full details pick up a free programme at retail outlets in Gunnislake, Drakewalls, Tavistock and Callington and for more information contact Gill on 01822 833752 or Dorothy on 01822 832062.