BOLTON is going back in time to celebrate one of the most significant events in the town's history.

Plans to celebrate the 750th anniversary of the granting of Bolton's Charter, making it a borough, were revealed today. And a highlight will be a two-day medieval market in Churchgate.

The Mayor of Bolton, Cllr John Walsh, is determined the town should remember its past with pride. He is the brains behind a series of events, including a glittering charity ball.

It is hoped that an archway will be put up for a few weeks in Churchgate in January, similar to an archway constructed to mark Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897.

In addition to the archway, the Churchgate area will be turned into a two-day medieval market complete with bodgers -- wood turners -- coopers, strolling players and street entertainers. Stalls will line Churchgate and continue inside Bolton Parish Church.

It was on January 14, 1253, that Bolton was finally considered worthy of being made a borough and a Charter outlining its new rights was awarded by William de Ferrers, the Earl of Derby. It conferred various rights, including that of being able to hold a market, and confirmed it as one of Lancashire's leading towns.

On January 14 next year, there will be a re-enactment of the proclamation ceremony at the cross on Churchgate, which will raise the curtain on a weekend of celebration and top entertainment centred on the Churchgate area -- the site of the market in medieval times.

A glittering mayor's charity ball, entitled A Celebration of Bolton, will be staged at the Reebok Stadium on January 17. It will be themed around the 1253 Charter and mark important events in the history of Bolton.

The ball, for 700 people, will include a fireworks display and specially written short plays performed by Bolton Little Theatre. Each piece will focus on one of nine themes chosen for the night, selected to reflect the history and tradition of Bolton. They will range from arts, culture and theatre to Lord Leverhulme, Bolton Wanderers and Lord Derby.

A floral arts display and the menu for the night will be based on the same themes.

Bolton Parish Church will play host to a service of thanksgiving conducted by Canon Michael Williams.

The celebrations will also mark the contribution people of all races and cultures have made to the town. The Charter was one of the factors which led to Flemish weavers settling in Bolton in the 14th century.

The Mayor, who has been the inspiration for the celebrations, intends to invite mayors from two towns that have links with Bolton's Charter.

At around the same time that the Earl of Derby awarded Bolton its Charter, he also granted Charters drafted in the same style and wording to Higham Ferrers, a small town near Northampton, in 1251, and in 1252 to Uttoxeter.

It is now thought that Bolton's is the only Charter which survives. It is kept in the Public Records Office.

CHARTER FACTFILE

In 1251, Bolton was considered worthy of being made a borough and a Charter was obtained from Henry III granting the right to hold a market and fair

In 1253, the Lord of the Manor, William de Ferrers, Earl of Derby, granted a Charter making Bolton a market town -- one of the many medieval boroughs created during the 13th century

The first Bolton market adjoined the Market Cross at the end of Churchgate, where it remained until the early 19th century

Up to 1253, the crafts of shoemakers, skinners and fullers were forbidden in Bolton but the Charter of 1253 abolished the restriction

Because the charter allowed fullers -- who cleansed and thickened cloth by washing and beating it -- to ply their trade in Bolton, the Charter helped created the town's first link with the textile industry

Four centuries after the Earl of Derby obtained the granting of the Charter in 1251, one of his descendants met his death on the scaffold in Bolton

Bolton was elevated to the status of county borough in 1889

At this time of the charter it is thought the town had a 400 strong population. Woollen goods were made in the town and at this time Bolton was surrounded by rough moorlands and woodland

HISTORIC: The Churchgate archway, which marked Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897, will be recreated next year