ROYALISTS returned to the battlefield that saw one of their most important defeats of the Civil War this weekend.

More than 100 members of the Sealed Knot re-enactment organisation staged battle drills at Marston Grange and marched past the Marston Moor battlefield near York in aid of charity.

There was also a brief service of remembrance at the battlefield memorial yesterday and archaeological activities on Saturday.

The two-day event recreated the royalist encampment before the 1644 battle that won the north for Parliament and led to the surrender of York. It raised money for the Multiple Sclerosis Society and York Archaeological Trust.

Meanwhile, all the fun of the circus came to Copmanthorpe Recreation Centre for the village’s annual carnival on Saturday.

It too was a big success as a huge crowd was bathed in warm sunlight.

Apart from the usual carnival attractions, which this year had a circus theme, there was non-stop music on stage from noon from bands including Oceans, The Pauper Kings, Dorien Starre, the Buccaneers, The Fear and The Bon Bonz.

The event was the culmination of more than a week of entertainment held mostly in the village.