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The Links below are to various society newsletters
Beginning of the Season Newsletter
Dear Member, Greetings
Editorial
Despite the poor weather we had a successful season last year, with most events avoiding the rain and even finding that elusive thing called 'summer'. This year I think we must brace for the possibility of problems, which extend far beyond the small sphere of re-enactment and historical recreation.
Foremost on everyone's mind must be the foot-and-mouth epidemic, but there are other problems nationwide, and particularly in the Midlands, effecting industry and commerce generally which seem to have had a knock-on effect on show enquiries this year. No contact has been received for the Easter Birmingham City Council show, no word from Bosworth about the proposed event there either. More locations are closed than are open, and we should realise that events using Council owned land will more than likely be cancelled. Reeling from one crisis to another, the Authorities will make a knee-jerk decision I suspect, and ban rather than retain venues arranged already. Be prepared to make contact regarding the larger events in case of last minute cancellation. Small local 'village fete' shows are likely to take place, but these are usually a one-day event lasting a few hours, so may not appeal to those people some distance away. Listings for bookings are noted below.
Many multi-society events are not shown since I feel it best to contact organisers like the Plantagenets first. I know some of you were not planning to attend these anyway due to distance/costs, and 'granny state' rules and regulations. The larger trade fairs are likely to take place, as are some of the better large events later in the year.
Obituary
As most of you know, Peter Ball died on Monday 2nd October 2000 after a brave fight against stomach cancer. Pete came to us with his wife Betty when their family had grown up and after a distinguished military career. Characteristically, they both threw themselves into the hobby. They left, with reluctance, after Pete suffered vision problems. Again, they threw themselves into American Civil War, then Mountain Man re-enactment. When Pete was diagnosed, he came back to the Society. He fought the effects all the way, doing all that he could and all that he wanted. It is hard to know what we would do in similar circumstances, but I feel that Pete provides a fine example of how to cope with life’s cruel blows – pick up your weapon and meet them face on.
Easter Show event organised by Dave Barnes. LOCAL SHOW
Location:The Somerford Beefeater,Christchurch,Dorset Easter Weekend. Camping from Friday p.m., shows Sat. & Sunday. A fun relaxing pilot event similar to those we did in the early `90`s in Salisbury, but sorry no archery or expenses.Directions: A35 to Somerford roundabout, over this and look for Beefeater. From north, Ringwood to B3347 to Christchurch bypass, left to Somerford r`bout as above. The Beefeater is mock Tudor building on right, site is by trees.
Wiltshire County Show May …………..This is cancelled due to the foot & mouth crisis, but may take place in September (may then clash with others).
Whitsun May Bank Holiday M.A.G. show at the Royal Welsh Showground Builth Wells.
A very well expensed large event as last year. Same format and number of days. But I would give this only a 50% chance of taking place due to location. An alternative has been found, see below.Full muster needed if it takes place.
June 2nd & 3rd. Dave Barnes event to promote European Martial Arts to the re-enactor.This will attempt to approximate a Medieval Muster, have a camp with traders and experts giving training. Aimed at serious re-enactors or trainers commited to displaying authentic combat styles, it is not open to the public and will cost individual non-members £20 ,with a subsidy for members.
Dave needs paid people as follows: local helpers, accredation personnel for battle, experienced first-aider, assistance to help run the battle safely.
LOCAL SHOW: organised by Craig. Small south Gloucester School fate` similar to those in Wiltshire environs in earlier seasons.Some expenses. Date: 23rd June, details to follow.
Barons Revolt Event 30th June & 1st July. Similar format to last year and same location : Beehive Farm Rosliston, Derbyshire, with traders and food/drink stalls etc.. No expenses and may be subject to the same problems as other venues because of its location.
Tewkesbury has been confirmed on as per usual. Second week in July.
Bloxwich Carnival (no tittering you lot from the Midlands) Saturday August 11th. Only a one day event but not a local show at all. We need a good turn-out. Good expenses and camping from Friday evening. A map will follow from the organisers with itinerary, but will include a carnival procession, as well as display in our own arena. Archers and hand-gunners needed so a bit of doubling up with combat will be required. Should be a fun event if the wather is kind to us.
We do not anticipate any problems with Egremont, as the land is not agricultural. We are assured by the hosts at Egremont we are still going ahead.
Tatton Park and the Local Authorities are looking into ways to get the Park open in May. At present they are still planning on holding the event.
Oystermouth Castle, again, is not adjacent to agricultural land, so we do not anticipate this event being cancelled.
The Sizergh Event is still on at present. By August we hope the problem will be over, or at least under control.
For information regarding the Barons Revolt, you should contact The Black Rose.
The wiltshire County show has been postponed until September 22nd and
23rd due to The foot and Mouth Scare, Is this date alright for
everybody?
If you could let me know as soon as possible so that I can confirm our
attendance with the organisers ets
Just to confirm the practice is on, no problems with Foot and Mouth
restrictions. So Usual Harnham site at about 10.30 on Sunday
More details to follow – Farewell!
Advert Section:
Attendance Slip
Name:
I will attend the following events:
Dear Member,
Welcome to the new millennium, I hope you all had enjoyable turn-of-the century celebrations and are looking forward to the new season. There are plenty of events taking place this year as you may have guessed. I have tried to get an even balance between the larger multi-society show and events where we are the sole performers. The bonus at these is in most cases they are able to offer expenses, plus refreshments as a bonus at the majority. I would stress that the negative side of this is that they are contract events, which do require good support by the membership. Touching on this point, I have turned down a large single day event at Ipswich the weekend before Tewkesbury, even though there was a considerable fee on offer. After taking a straw poll, it was clear most people were lukewarm about the show because of distance, and closeness to the Tewkesbury weekend. I have tried to avoid too many events that follow on each other, as I know weekend free-time is a problem for many of us. I hope you find the events negotiated interesting, and that you please give full support to our own shows in preference to the larger non-expensed events. I am still waiting to hear from Cosmeston about the August Bank holiday, but all other dates are now finalized.
Show Details
Easter Saturday. 22nd April. Another show for the Birmingham City Council. Due to extensive works in the cathedral location, this year the event is to be staged in Victoria Square, which is near the Council offices. I am still waiting on a map, so when you return the attendances slip please request a map if you are coming to this one. Parking has been requested/or keep a receipt if not available. Expenses to a limit are available (around £12) plus food and parking monies on top. We are having horses supplied by Gareth Blythe so it should be quite colourful. Muster around 10.30 am, show until mid afternoon. We hope that Central TV will be there. Key show.
Templars Fayre. At Cressing Temple near Braintree, Esses. 6th and 7th May. Fayre and market of multi-period kind if anyone is interested.
Wiltshire County Show 13th/14th May. Lords Hill Showground off A350, south of Warminster. Jason Okeefe show, Dorset Levy Group. One show each day in small arena, plus extra shows in small arena. Archery in main arena, okay if you are interested. Some expenses for those bringing living history kit and arena items only. All usual facilities like beer tent, food wagons at site. Camping Friday onwards
Battle of Shrewsbury. 19th/20th May. No details to date other than there is a market, and that the period is early 1400s, hotspur and all that.
Another of our own large events at the Builth Wells showground at Builth Wells on the 27th/28th May, between Hereford and Llandovery. This venue was kindly passed to us by Mike Day, who I hope will come along with some of his group. Overnight camping, beer tent and food wagons, expenses payout plus £5 food and £5 for drinks on top each day. We have our own arena, and have been asked to do a display with an Owen Glyndower theme as it is the 600th centenary of the Welsh Revolt. There are many other attractions since it is part of the Welsh National Motorcycle Show. Should be a good weekend. Key show event.
Templecombe 3rd/4th June. Show and market of the multi-period type in both cases if you are interested, get there early and tow your own portaloo with you! It was rained out last year, but who knows with our weather this year?
Yet another of our own shows, Wigmore Millennium Event to celebrate the restoration of the castle Mortimer Medieval Carnival, Saturday June 17th was to have been much larger and two days, but guess what no funding, all gone on modern artists cheese and wine parties and the like luvvies! We have our own arena, have a couple of shows plus shoot the knight; couple of horses as show dressing and added colour, good expenses, plus a free ox roast feast on site in the evening. Whole event is inside if the weather is foul. Camping at my place. Sunday we hope to arrange filming of several scenes from the Owen Glyndower video project, as it is now a spare day, key show event.
Coity Castle, 24/25th June, one of several events we have been invited to by the Plantagenet (non fed) society. Period is 1405, again to celebrate the welsh revolt, more details to follow
Barons Revolt (1322) and fayre 1st/2nd July, Roslington, near Burton on Trent and A378 from 11am to 5.30 pm both days, I have had meeting with organisers and hope to assist with work on the day. They hope we can bring our catapult and wattle, tents etc to help dress the area. Some transport expenses only, but should be the first of an annual event here, nice to tackle a different period in history for once outside filming work. Map and more details are available. Make an effort on this one with kit and attendance if you can.
Tewkesbury 8th/9th July. Our reg no. is 006 again. Please let me know if you will be there, before start of June as the organisers would like an idea of numbers early. The usual battles and market that we have come to expect at this large event. Clashes with a local show at Harnham, nr Salisbury for which there are limited expenses, over two days, make your choice and let me know. Bodies needed at this event.
Oystermouth Castle show and Market 15th/16th July near Swansea. A medieval siege each day, with all usual facilities, no expenses, a plantagenet show. More details to follow.
Shrewton and Till Valley show 29th July near Salisbury. A local show with some expenses so please support. Details to follow. There is an event this weekend at Old Sarum, a multi period show and market for those who want to make it a full weekend. I will get details.
Siezergh Castle near Kendal which is Cumbria 5th/6th August. A plantagenet show, but maybe too far for most of us on our own petrol expenses! I will get more details if anyone wants to go.
Market Bosworth Show 12/13th August, organised again by Neil and Maurice, an expenses payout, refreshments during the day and some food on Saturday evening, what more could you ask. I had flu last year but understand it was a good one! Combat displays throughout the day. No living history stuff unless you are particularly keen, try to be there!
Cosmeston, August bank holiday, to be confirmed
GenCom is on again over the weekend of 2nd and 3rd September, plus during the previous week. However, the organiser has not been able to tie Loughborough University down on arrangements, and so it will be at a new site this year. Expenses will be paid, plus some free food. Full details when I have them.
The battle of Blore Heath 23rd and 24th September. Likely the final large show of the year, it was very good last time so do try to make it. I will issue a map later in the season to those interested. Market and show each day plus beer tent in the evening and food on sale.
I expect there will be several other events both in with the above dates and after, such as Agincourt. Try to make as many as you can as last year turnout was poor at many events. Kevin Pavey gets The member who made most effort to turn up accolade, making three shows and a local event despite working in the middle east at the time!!! I wont name the guilty in case they cry, who did not come to even one main event, but will be pleased to see you this year nevertheless.
Farewell
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I will attend the following events:
Make a note of those you require details/maps for, or phone me for more information when I have it.
If you need any of the livery equipment especially for own own events. Please give me at least five days warning, in case I need to alter or repair gear for you. The night before is not an option, so if you are lacking kit in any respect think ahead and let me know. There is no reason to turn up scruffily equipped when there is a lot of gear for loan. Items available are helmets, surcoats, some arming doublets (for lightly armed participants), hose, a few pairs of boots, pouches, belts (medieval not modern), and an assorted box of hoods, tunics and some armour. Loss or damage comes out of expenses overall, but this does effect your own expenses noticeably, so treat items as you would your own kit. Weapons, I do have a set of long spears but normally only bring these if there is a set piece required. I will ask Craig to bring along his spare gauntlets, although members are expected to provide their own basic accurately made helmet and hand protection, along with other gear suitable to the character portrayed, at the earliest opportunity. footwear is the one item you need to sort out from the start; it has to be fairly accurate to comply with the needs of the modern display, and servicable for your own comfort.
Dave Barnes is now making basic ankle boots at £25 per pair, in set sizes (mainly larger) to help members out with the problem of high cost of footwear from traders. I have had a pair for some time; some of you have used the spare pairs from the loan kit, so there is no excuse this season about cost or are they hard wearing etc.
I had some help with the large yellow tent frame last season, but there are still some
modifications needed to the eyelets. The cannon wheels still require a hand to finish them
off, is anyone willing?