TWO-HUNDRED years after Wellington Monument’s foundation stone was laid, the occasion is set to be celebrated this weekend.

A free evening performance of ‘The Story of a Stone’ will be staged at the monument on Saturday (October 21).

The same afternoon a walk will follow in the footsteps of a procession 200 years ago in which 10,000 people are said to have walked from the town to monument site. Wellington Museum curator Colin Spackman will take walkers on a journey back in time.

The National Trust, which owns the monument, is staging the performance of ‘The Story of a Stone’ with partners from the Blackdown Hills AONB and local performance company ActionTrack.

The event takes place from 7-9pm and it is advised to be prepared for all weathers and to take camping chairs. Food will be available to buy on site and toilet facilities will be provided.

Those who want to take part in the walk should meet at Wellington Museum at 2pm and be prepared for a moderate walk which entails a cross-country route.