BRITISH colonialism will be remembered at a North-East visitor attraction this weekend.

The Beamish Museum, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham, is holding celebrations on Saturday and Sunday to mark Empire Day.

The Borneo Band, from Durham Army Cadet Force, will perform in the park bandstand and the 1913 town will be decked out with Union flags and red, white and blue bunting.

The Co-op grocery window will have a display of goods from the Colonies, such as tea from Ceylon and India, bananas and sugar cane from Jamaica, and produce from New Zealand and Australia.

Traditionally held on May 24, the birthday of Queen Victoria, Empire Day was launched at the end of the Boer War in 1902 and aimed to remind people of their duties as citizens of the British Empire.

It was celebrated every year until 1959, when it was re-named Commonwealth Day.

Published: 18/05/2004