LUDLOW is preparing to go medieval with a full programme of shopping and festivities on November 29 and 30.

The fifth Medieval Christmas Fayre at Ludlow Castle will feature stallholders in costume, selling handcrafted goods and, of course, delicious food and drink. Jesters, musicians, dancers and puppeteers will mingle with the crowd to add to the atmosphere.

The festivities will extend into Castle Square on Sunday 30th with a medieval-style market as all the traders don appropriate costumes. The Fayre itself will run both days from 10am to 4pm. On Saturday evening it reopens at 6pm for a masque in the illuminated castle.

Among the visitors to Ludlow Assembly Rooms on the Satur-day evening will be the chart-topping Medival Bbes, with a programme of lyrics based on poetry from 1200 to 1500. All tickets for their programme have already been sold.

Earlier in the day, however, the Ophaboom Company will celebrate that popular medieval figure Robin Hood with a medley of masks, music and mime at the Assembly Rooms from 10am to 2pm. That will be followed with a short outdoor performance at 2.30pm. The following day there will be a Robin Hood singalong for younger members of the family, aged from five to eight. That starts at 10am, also at the Assembly Rooms.