Bury St Edmunds was awash with flags and bunting at the weekend as the town paid its own special tribute to the original patron saint of England.

East Anglian Daily Times: Businesses and shops backed the celebrations for St Edmund. Picture: MICHAEL STEWARDBusinesses and shops backed the celebrations for St Edmund. Picture: MICHAEL STEWARD (Image: Archant)

St Edmund’s Day was celebrated by shops, businesses and traders, and a town crier even delivered his own rousing proclamation to Saint Edmund, who was King of East Anglia during the ninth century.

St Edmund’s Day officially falls today, but a series of events were held over the weekend to honour England’s original patron saint.

Moyse’s Hall Museum got well and truly into the spirit with a ‘Terrible Tour’ of the museum for families over the weekend, and an Edmund-themed ‘Kids in Museums: Takeover Day’ also took place.

A lecture by Dr Francis Young entitled ‘How Edmund Became England’s Patron Saint’ yesterday also entertained guests.

East Anglian Daily Times: Michelle Freeman with children taking part in a St Edmund-themed creative session at Denny Bros. Picture: MICHAEL STEWARDMichelle Freeman with children taking part in a St Edmund-themed creative session at Denny Bros. Picture: MICHAEL STEWARD (Image: Archant)

Dan Clarke, heritage officer at Moyse’s Hall, said: “We do something every year, but it’s great to see the whole town now coming together.

“It’s been exhausting, but it’s fantastic to see all the flags up in town.”

Mike Wabe, town crier for Thetford, came over to Bury St Edmunds specifically for St Edmund’s Day on Saturday to entertain shoppers and visitors.

He performed a special rhyming St Edmund proclamation as well as talking to people around town about the history.

East Anglian Daily Times: James Sheen outside the East Anglian Daily Times/Bury Mercury office in Bury St Edmunds. Picture: MICHAEL STEWARDJames Sheen outside the East Anglian Daily Times/Bury Mercury office in Bury St Edmunds. Picture: MICHAEL STEWARD (Image: Archant)

Denny Bros hosted a special Saint Edmund-themed ‘Crafty Foxes’ creative session where kids made wolf key rings and decorated scenes of Bury St Edmunds.

Sea cadets also paraded through Abbey Gardens yesterday to honour the town’s special day.

A Eurovision song winner and French film composer also made it to Bury St Edmunds to enjoy the celebrations.

Jean Musy and Anne Marie David – who was the 1973 Eurovision winner – are seeking to create a musical composition based on the story of St Edmund.

East Anglian Daily Times: Market traders also got into the act decorating their stalls with flags and bunting. Picture: MICHAEL STEWARDMarket traders also got into the act decorating their stalls with flags and bunting. Picture: MICHAEL STEWARD (Image: Archant)

The pair are set to perform at St Mary’s Church in the town at 2pm today.

James Sheen, who formally launched the celebration in August, said: “It’s been a lot of hard work putting things together, but it’s been a lot of fun.

“I’m very pleased with how things have gone. Next year will be even bigger, with more ideas. It has to be because it’s our special day.”

East Anglian Daily Times: Businesses and shops backed the celebrations for St Edmund. Picture: MICHAEL STEWARDBusinesses and shops backed the celebrations for St Edmund. Picture: MICHAEL STEWARD (Image: Archant)