NINE hundred biodegradable balloons soared high in the sky on Saturday night to mark the 900th anniversary of the Royal Park of Woodstock.

Released by the Duke of Marlborough, they marked the beginning of a summer of celebration.

More than 100 residents and visitors were at Woodstock’s Town Square for the Woodstock@900 opening ceremony.

The event was the brainchild of Town Mayor Peter Jay.

“It was quite spectacular and it went very well. We had a good turnout of people despite some rain,” he said.

“The Duke of Marlborough made a nice speech about the historical links between the town and the park going back to Henry I and mentioning key characters in the story such as Winston Churchill.”

After the balloons were released the party began with music from a ceilidh band.

Mr Jay said the rain did eventually force revellers to retreat into the town’s pubs but the weather would not dampen a summer of events and activities.

Woodstock@900 is a Woodstock Town Council initiative and it is being run by the Wake Up to Woodstock group.

Mr Jay said: “It is an important celebration because it’s attracting people to the town and it’s an opportunity for people in the town to participate.”

He said there was a programme of events planned throughout the summer and autumn and a particular highlight would be a football match with a difference on May Bank Holiday.

“There will be a football match played out in Edwardian dress between teams representing Oxford United and Woodstock.

“That will take place on our recreation ground,” he said.

Another lasting mark to the park’s anniversary will be the planting of 900 trees on the Blenheim Estate.

l The clock was also turned back at Blenheim Palace over Bank Holiday Weekend when The Knights of Royal England clashed.

Crowds cheered as the knights competed in hand to hand combat with their choice of mediaeval weapon before the final joust in which the competitors met face-to face with a three metre lance and only a shield and a helmet for protection.