PRESS RELEASE

PRESS RELEASE

King Offa’s 1250 Anniversary

This year marks the 1250-year anniversary of King Offa’s accession to the kingdom of Mercia, an event that was to become instrumental in helping to shape what we know today as the countries of England and Wales.

The Saxon Offa, who reigned from 757 to 796, built the earthwork that today attracts thousands of walkers to the Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail. Its significance is underlined by the fact that in places it still forms the national boundary between the two countries. Offa’s influence was far reaching; he reformed the coinage (we still use the penny), established international trade as far afield as the middle-east and helped to establish the notion of England as a separate nation.

The Offa’s Dyke Association, based in Knighton, Powys, on the Welsh side of the border [but on the English side of the Dyke], is marking the occasion with a public lecture at its Annual General Meeting on 5^th May. Eminent Saxon scholar, Professor Nicholas Brooks from the Department of Medieval History at the University of Birmingham, will talk on the importance of Offa’s legacy to us today. The talk: “King Offa, reflections on the 1250 anniversary of his accession” is at 4.00pm at the Offa’s Dyke Centre in Knighton. Everyone is welcome to the free event, but to avoid disappointment people are encouraged to reserve a place by calling the centre on 01547 528753.

Ian Dormor, chairman of the Offa’s Dyke Association said: “the anniversary is a unique opportunity to reflect on Offa’s achievements; the jury is still out as to why he built the Dyke but no-one can deny its effect on shaping our geography. We are looking forward to hearing Professor Brooks’ contribution to the debate”.

Archaeologist and Dyke expert Ian Bapty agrees: “Offa's Dyke is not just one of Britain's most spectacular ancient monuments. It also provides a unique physical link to the beginnings of English and Welsh cultural identity. By celebrating this anniversary we are not just commemorating an obscure monarch from a distant, almost mythical time; we are remembering a man whose actions in building Offa's Dyke still have a very real impact on the lives of English and Welsh people today”.

The kingdom of Mercia stretched from the Humber to the Mersey and as far south as the Thames. That the name survives to this day, for example by organisations such as the West Mercia Police, is a testimonial to Offa’s far-reaching influence. Maureen Gant, the mayor of Tamworth, where Offa established his Mercian base, welcomes the anniversary: “Tamworth is extremely proud of its heritage and the part that our town has played in shaping the future of our country. It is wonderful that King Offa and his achievements are still being remembered so many years after he achieved them.”

This spring Offa and his Dyke are also the focus of a five-part BBC Wales series, Border Country with Iolo Williams. Author and photographer Jim Saunders, for eighteen years the Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail Officer, was the programme advisor. He has written a book entitled: Offa’s Dyke, a Journey in Words and Pictures which accompanies the series. Jim adds: “I hope this beautifully filmed TV series, and my book, will inspire lots of people to get out on the Offa’s Dyke Path, and that they will find Offa, his Dyke and the National Trail that follows it as fascinating as I have over the years.”

On Sunday 6^th May Jim is presenting a talk at the Offa’s Dyke Centre on the making of the programme; tickets for this event, including buffet supper, are £6 in advance from the Offa’s Dyke Centre. The event starts at 6.00pm.

Further information

For further information and requests for interviews contact David McGlade.

Telephone: 07748 602253.

Publication quality images for media use are available at no cost from Jim Saunders. Telephone: 01547 520510 (mobile: 07969 374741).

Offa’s Dyke Path is one of fourteen National Trails in England and Wales. It is 175 miles long and stretches from Sedbury Cliffs, on the River Severn near Chepstow, to Prestatyn on the north Wales coast. It crosses the border of England and Wales 27 times shadowing the actual Dyke for 80 miles of its course. More than 250,000 “walker days” are spent on the Trail each year, contributing over £2M to the economy of the Welsh border region.

The Offa’s Dyke Association is a registered charity. Its mission since 1969 has been to promote the Dyke and the National Trail, as well as the economy, landscape and conservation of the Welsh border region. For more than twenty-five years it has operated the Offa’s Dyke Heritage Centre, a visitor and tourist information centre. In 1999 it moved into an architect designed interpretation facility. More than 20,000 people visited the centre in 2006. The Association is keen to recruit new members to carry the flag for Offa and his Dyke in this anniversary year.