A triennial ceremony with ancient history will celebrate the arrival of the cattle on Sudbury's meadows. 

The mayor of Sudbury will inspect the grass at Freemen's Great Common in the Sudbury Commons Land Charity's Turning On ceremony - a ritual now to be held every three years. 

The colourful event, a revival of an ancient ceremony, will include mace bearers, freemen, charity trustees and voluntary rangers who follow the mayor onto the meadows in procession.

Chairman of the trustees of SCLC Nigel Eley said: "This is a wonderful ceremony that shows Sudbury’s close connection with these ancient grazing meadows and the importance of the cattle in maintaining this magnificent place.

"The turning on of the cattle signifies the start of the grazing season and of the better weather. Over the weeks that follow more cattle will be turned onto the pastures to provide an iconic scene that has carried on for more than 800 years."

Records show livestock have grazed on pasture lands either side of the River Stour since the 13th century. 

The land has never been sprayed or fertilised with artificial products, creating a special ecosystem for native plants and wildlife.

After the Turning On ceremony, there will be an unveiling of a new information board at the entrance to the common lands next to the Mill Hotel. 

This will be unveiled by Sarah and Roy Fuller who, for many years, ran the Essex Trust, which has been very generous in providing funding for the Sudbury Common Lands Charity over time.

Sarah and Roy personally paid for the information board to be produced.