Developers threatened with medieval curse

Opponents of re-development plans for Bury St Edmunds have threatened the project with a medieval curse.

Campaigners say the Curse of St Edmund (the last Anglo-Saxon King of East Anglia who fought against the Vikings) will be invoked next month (November) unless Centros Miller, Miller Group and retail giant Debenhams abandon plans to redevelop the town's cattle market.

According to the website of the Knights of St Edmund: "In an attempt to prevent the desecration of Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk, one of England's most historic towns, the Knights of St Edmund have decided to unleash a 1,000 year old curse against Centros Miller Ltd, Miller Group and Debenhams."

A formal and public cursing ceremony will be held on St Edmund's day (20 November) when the Knights will "summon the avenging saint and dread King to punish his 21st century enemies".

The website adds that the curse has a reputation for "extremely supernatural violence".

Tony Williams, development manager for Centros Miller, isn't concerned. He commented: "At no stage during the last four years have the Knights of St Edmund made themselves known to us or expressed an opinion about our scheme - and this is a bit of an odd way to start."

He added: "During that time, we've spoken to thousands of local people and dozens of local interest groups in one of the most wide-ranging and comprehensive consultation programmes ever undertaken. As a result, the scheme we are about to build has evolved successfully and will be providing the people of Bury St Edmunds with the shopping they need long after this is all forgotten."

According to Williams, the development has been designed to make the best use of Bury St Edmunds' redundant Cattle Market site and includes 35 shops, a Debenhams department store, a new multi-purpose public venue, underground parking and more than 50 apartments.

Retailers are now seeking to secure space in the development and completion is due in late 2008.

More information about the Knights of St Edmund and the curse - including a countdown curse timer, a top 10 curse-effect list and grisly details about St Edmund's martyrdom - is available from their website.

Aled Herbert

28 October 2005