"Knighton was the only town in the U.K. to celebrate the crowning of the Mercian King 1,250 years ago, mainly because Knighton is on the centre of the 177 mile Offa's Dyke built by King Offa and we also have the Offa's Dyke park and information centre in Knighton.

The event started at 1.p.m. on August 11 2007 with a fancy dress parade with prizes for children and adults, from Brook Side Square through the town to the Offa's Dyke park, led by Knighton Town Crier and Knighton Silver Town Band together with King Offa, he was in a horse drawn 100 year old carriage and guarded with four guards in robes of the day, as he killed so many people to get on the throne of England the guards would stop any assassination attempt.

Our Knighton Mayor was joined by the visiting dignities, the mayors wearing their robes etc. in the parade. King Offa was crowned at 2.-15 p.m.

There were various entertainments in the Offa's Dyke park -Falconery, archery, re-enactment fighting in costume, story tellers, jugglers, Knighton Silver Town Band, dancing and minstrels with various stalls including a pig roast and bar.

There were two young Chinese girls who live locally in Welsh Costume playing Welsh harps which is rather unusual and entry is free to all events.

Among the special guests were - The Chairman of Powys County Council, The High Sheriff of Powys, Kirsty Williams AM for Brecon & Radnor, Roger Williams M.P. for Brecon and Radnor, The Mayor of Tamworth where king Offa built his palace, The Mayor of Lichfield where he had his parliament, the Mayors of Oswestry, Prestatyn, Presteigne, Montgomery, Deputy Mayors of Denbigh, Hay-on-Wye and Chepstow, Montgomery and Bishops castle, and of course Knighton Mayor.

Article by Roger Bright