Vikings invaded Cliffsend yesterday (July 28) to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the Hugin ship in Thanet.
On July 28, 1949, the replica longship, now sited at Cliffsend, was met by a large crowd at Viking Bay (formerly called Main Bay), Broadstairs. It had sailed from Denmark to Thanet to celebrate the 1500th anniversary of the invasion of Britain, the landing of Hengist and Horsa and the betrothal of Hengist’s daughter, Rowena, to King Vortigen of Kent.
To celebrate the anniversary Cliffsend Parish Council organised a day of family fun to take place on Hugin Green.
The event featured Ost Centingas Viking living history re-enactors, a Viking village where people could see a day in the life of a Viking, mock battles and weapon display, a Viking forge, crafts, face and shield painting and runes.
There were also be exhibits from Canterbury Archaeology Trust, English Heritage, Kent Wildlife Trust, East Kent Birdwise, Thanet Coast Project, National CoastWatch, RNLI, Kent Fire & Rescue and Thanet Rotary Clubs as well as a petition stall for Save Minster Marshes.
Parish council vice chairman Paul Chapman said: “We had wonderful weather and a wonderful day. It was great to celebrate our history and heritage around the Viking Ship in Cliffsend.
“ So many people, adults and children, enjoyed the afternoon. A big thank you to our helpers and the many organisations who attended. “Tusen takk” and “far vel.”
