A COMMEMORATIVE weekend which shines a light on Weymouth’s bloody history will be taking place for the last time after 25 years.

The Crabchurch Conspiracy weekend, which started in 1995, won’t be happening for the significant future after the 2020 event at the end of this month, organisers have announced.

This means it might be the last time to learn about the town’s Civil War history from experts, including Professor Ronald Hutton of Time Team fame.

The Crabchurch Conspiracy is the name given to a royalist plot to overthrow the parliamentarian garrison within the twin communities of Weymouth and Melcombe. The password that the plotters and their accomplices used on the first night of their attack was ‘Crabchurch’. What followed was a battle in which 500 people died. The event was one of the contributing factors to King Charles I losing his crown and eventually his head.

Mark Vine, who organises the weekend, explained the decision to stop holding the event next year.

He said: “It takes months out of my year to organise we’re trying to launch Weymouth’s pirate festival.

“When I first started the Crabchurch weekend not many people had heard about the town’s Civil War history.

“It’s sad that this is the last one. I have spent 25 years of my life trying to get it on the map locally, now people know about it nationally.”

Mr Vine said he will turn his attention to writing a novel about the Crabchurch Conspiracy.

He explained: “I’m trying to concentrate on writing the novel and story. I have written two chapters so far.

“I believe in the story so much, and who knows it could be Dorset’s Poldark, if I do it properly.”

Mr Vine said: ‘The town ought to make more of its history. It’s got an exciting story, full of heroes.

“If the right people get involved, it could bring a lot of people into the town’ he added.

The Crabchurch History Talks will be held at Hope United Reformed Church on Saturday, February 29 between 4pm and 6.30pm.

Professor Ronald Hutton will be returning to Weymouth on the day to give a talk about Oliver Cromwell.

Meanwhile, Kit Berry, author of Stonewylde, the popular children’s book series, will be discussing her new novel – The Raven Himself, which is set Portland during the English Civil War.

There will also be a performance from Bishop Bray – the world’s only 17th century stand-up comedian.

This year the history talks will be followed by a special concert by The Dolmen, who will be taking to the stage.

The Dolmen, a Celtic/folk-rock band from Weymouth, will be performing songs from their Crabchurch Conspiracy album from 7.30pm to 10pm.

A book fair will also be running from 12pm to 7pm at the same venue, with a number of local authors manning stalls.

There won’t be any re-enactments taking place this year, but those attending the talks are welcome to do so in costume.