May 14, 2012 1.36 pm This story is over 141 months old

Royal visitor unable to attend Lincoln Moroccan market

No royalty: Excitement about Lincoln’s Moroccan Market has been tinged with disappointment due to a change in a Royal visitor’s diary.

Excitement about Lincoln’s Moroccan Market, starting on Wednesday, May 16, has been tinged with disappointment following a change in a Royal visitor’s diary.

Lincoln BIG announced that Her Highness Princess Lalla Joumala (Ambassador of His Majesty The King of Morocco to the Court of St James in London) will be unable to open Lincoln’s very own souk.

But Lincoln BIG events and promotions manager Michael Armstrong said it still promises to be a very special occasion:

“The Princess, who was heading the high-flying delegation visiting the city, has sadly had to pull out of the opening ceremony due to having to be in London for the arrival of a senior official delegation and the celebration for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

“However, she has personally expressed her sincere gratitude for the support and encouragement given by Lincoln to make this market – which will run until May 20 – a great success,” he added.

“Given the importance of this great and the tremendous good work accomplished, the Princess has personally asked the following diplomatic officials to represent her.”

Moroccan officials will be joined by Lincoln’s new Mayoral Party – Mayor Councillor Karen Lee, Mayor’s Consort Councillor Neil Murray, Sheriff Melanie Tointon and Sheriff’s Consort Stephen Tointon, for the opening at 11am (at High Street’s junction with the Cornhill).

The Moroccan Market will see 36 stalls bring the ambience of the Souk to the central High Street and Cornhill areas.

Traders will be encouraging people to stop for a chat, browse and buy products including leather purses, wallets and bags, Berber rugs, lamps, silver jewellery, mirrors, grass baskets, slippers and more.

On the first day of the Market, there will also be a chance to enjoy authentic Moroccan music, provided by two 10-strong groups, the Gnawa Band and Berber Band.

The visiting party is also planning to go along to the Chad Varah Primary School in St Giles’s, Lincoln, which has been involved in previous Moroccan Markets and it is hoped that Moroccan television will cover the opening ceremony.

The Moroccan Market will mark the third time Lincoln has welcomed this attraction. The market was hosted by the city last October and in December 2011, when a Moroccan village was created at St Mark’s retail park. It traded for the whole of the Christmas period, giving shoppers the chance tobuy some unusual presents and gifts for their home.

Source: Lincoln BIG