Magical sword on display at Nicholson Museum

King Arthur's magical sword will be on display in Leek this Saturday (28 May) for one day only as part of the 'Magical Moorlands' Exhibition at the town's Nicholson Museum and Art Gallery.

Especially hand-made for the British fantasy feature film Arthur& Merlin, which features several locations in the Staffordshire Moorlands, it is a replica of a sword found in a Welsh marsh using Celtic techniques made by specialist craftsmen.

The blade was hand-made by famed swordsmith Paul Binns and was hand-beaten to create 128 layers of steel, giving the intricate swirls and patterns seen in the blade. Paul has made weapons for the British Museum and productions like Game of Thrones.

The hilt was made by George Easton of Danegeld Historic Jewellery and it incorporates Celtic techniques of the Darks Ages period. Carved from wax before being cast in brass, it is finished with enamelled decoration. Paul has made pieces for TV and film productions like Thor, Robin Hood and the Hobbit. He also made the crown for the re-burial of Richard III.

The special exhibition at the Nicholson Museum, which opens at 10am, charts the use of concepts and local locations used in the film with creative artwork and some of the props used. Entry is free.

Other events on the day celebrating the Moorlands locations used in the film, include actors in costume and a lucky dip near the Butter Cross on the bottom of Leek's market place from 10am.

The film itself will also be shown in the Foxlowe Arts Centre at the top of the Market Place from 3pm together with the opportunity to ask questions afterwards of the director Marco van Belle, the executive producer Paul Osborne, heads of department and actors.

And continuing the theme, from Saturday 18 June the Nicholson Museum, in partnership with Arts Council England, will be staging 'Myths, Legends and Lesser Known Stories of the Staffordshire Moorlands' - an exciting exhibition open from 10am to 4pm Monday to Saturday with free entry.