Kingston residents are being invited to pick up a shield this July as part of a unique hands-on history experience that will end in a Saxon-themed parade and festival later this month.

In the lead-up to the 'Athel's Town: Saxon Encampment and Reenactment' event, Kingston Museum is hosting a series of free Saxon shield drumming workshops on 12 and 19 July.

The parade will take place at midday on Saturday, 26 July, where up to 100 drummers are expected to cross the Thames, helping to launch a two-day heritage festival in Canbury Gardens.

This initiative is part of 'Kingston 2025', a six-month cultural celebration marking the 1100^th anniversary of the crowning of King Athelstan, believed to be crowned in Kingston as the first King of a united England.

The Athel's Town event on 26 - 27 July will take visitors back to the year 925, with an authentic Saxon village, battle reenactments, craft demonstrations, a working forge with coin minting, and a cutting-edge AI experience exploring Anglo-Saxon life.

With limited spaces available, anyone interested in taking part in the drumming workshops or joining the parade can sign up via the Athel's Town Homepage.