THE Knutsford ‘Canute Millennial Festival’ proceeds with vigorous intent.

There are some in the town who think it is a lot of nonsense.

To some extent they may be right.

The Millennial Festival celebrates the fact of Canute becoming King of all England in 1016 and the town’s jolly traditions in respect of Canute. It needs to be said again that there is no historical evidence that Canute ever came to this part of the country or that the town takes its name from him.

Fun may properly be had celebrating the town’s long and cherished traditions regarding its ‘association’ with Canute but these are just stories, and if the historical reality is not properly stated, the fun becomes bad fun.

There are two main ‘Heritage Proponents’ in the town. The Heritage Centre, which initiated the festival, and Knutsford Promenades Community Association, working with the Unitarian Chapel.

The Heritage Centre clearly sets out the known historical facts, but the Knutsford Promenades Community Association consistently maintains that Canute came here in 1016 and crossed the river Lily. This is misinformation and historical sham.

No matter how many mayors, MPs, ministers of religion, Danish consuls, puppets and misinformed ‘ordinary’ people of Knutsford are led into crossing the Lily, this will not alter the historical facts, or lack of them.

Unless the ‘Canute crossing’ is given an honest historical ‘base’, the sham will be to the shaming of the town.

I wrote at length to the mayor and town councillors to ask if the Town council might take a firm public stand in the matter. The town clerk has replied that he does not think that this would be appropriate.

Michael Gibson Knutsford