TAKING a step back in time to the days of dyers, coin makers and leather merchants a Hampshire town has been reliving the past as it celebrates its 400 th anniversary.

Revealing first hand why King James I granted Romsey the Royal Charter in 1607 craftsmen and women showed residents and visitors the tricks of the trades that first put the town on the map.

Starting a calendar of events that will run until September, Romsey's Jacobean Fayre became an interactive insight into life 400 hundred years ago.

Scores of people gathered in the town centre to see the fletcher make his arrows and the horn workers show how spoons, cups and an array of items could be moulded out of old animal horns.

For more coverage and pictures see today's Daily Echo or click on our video news section of this website.

The list events to mark 400 years includes:

APRIL.

Era of the Charter' Exhibition in King John's House.

Friday April 6.

400th Anniversary of Charter signing.

Charter Facsimile on view in Town Hall. Visitors may sign the Charter Pledge.

April 6-April 14.

Wessex Artists' Exhibition in the Town Hall.

MAY.

Sunday, May 13.

Charter Year Gardeners' Market in Crosfield Hall & Car Park: 10am - 3pm.

Tuesday, May 15.

Mayor-making ceremony in Romsey Town Hall to include reading of an abstract from the 1607 Charter.

May 29 - Friday, June 1.

Children's Art Workshops at King John's House, led by local artists (guidance for Charter Competition).

JUNE.

Friday, June 1.

Charter Treasures Exhibition at Romsey Town Hall: Reception (by invitation).

Saturday, June 2-June 8.

Linked Exhibitions at the Town Hall and Romsey Branch of the Royal British Legion.

Early June (dates to be announced - see tourist information centre for details).

Charter Walks led by LTVAS local historians.

Sunday, June 10.

omsey Town Mayor's Civic Service, Romsey Abbey.

Saturday, June 16.

Hampshire Youth Orchestra in War Memorial Park: 2-4.30pm.

Saturday, June 23.

Band Concert in the War Memorial Park (Otterbourne Brass & Romsey Old Cadet bands).

Romsey Twinning Concert in Romsey Abbey with Corpo Musicale di Treviglio & Romsey Male Voice Choir.

Saturday, June 30-July 8.

Romsey Art Group Paints the Town': Charter Exhibition, Mountbatten Gallery, Lee, Romsey.

JULY.

Sunday, July 1.

Mayor's Picnic in War Memorial Park.

Saturday, July 7.

Romsey Choral Society Concert, Romsey Abbey (by ticket).

Monday, July 9-Wednesday July 18.

Schools' Charter Exhibition in Romsey Abbey.

Saturday, July 14.

Beggars' Fair.

Saturday, July 21-July 28.

Romsey Carnival (Romsey Town Council Charter' prize).

Sunday, July 29.

Family Day with Hog Roast in War Memorial Park with Jazz in the Bandstand: 2pm - 4pm.

August.

Our Town: Past, Present & Future' Children's Art Competition, sponsored by RDFAS and supported by King John's House & Romsey Town Council (entries received at Romsey Town Hall August 10-11 10am-3pm.).

SETPEMBER.

September 3-8 and 10-14.

Our Town, Past, Present & Future: An Exhibition of Children's Competition Art Work' (King John's House, first week/Town Hall, second week) (Prize presentation (by invitation) Tuesday, September 4, 6pm.

Tuesday, September 11.

RAFA Concert, Romsey Abbey.

Saturday, September 15.

Second Mulberry tree to be planted in Cupernham Ward at 11am, accompanied by Romsey Old Cadets Band.

Romsey Town Mayor's Jacobean Banquet (by ticket) in the Crosfield Hall.

Saturday, September 29.

Come and Sing - Elijah in Romsey Abbey.

Sunday, September 30.

Third Mulberry tree to be planted in Abbey Ward 2.30pm followed by the Hampshire Caledonian Pipe Band leading procession to the United Reformed Church.

Charter 2007 Closing Civic Service, in the United Reformed Church at 3.15pm.

End of Charter Celebrations Reception (by invitation), in Romsey Town Hall at 4pm.