2012 Blog and News

Well the start of the season is creeping up on us now and I expect soon to be able to confirm an event for Easter, got to make some 'phone calls this week to sort it out. There are still discussions taking place for events later in the year but I hope you will agree that we have some lovley events this year, and several which we will perform in our own right at some lovely and evocative locations-I am relly pleased that we have Raglan as it lends iteself to a good rendition or English Civil War evemts and is a really nice visit anyway and a good place for a picnic! (Bring an extra Sarny-re-enactors are always hungry, just don't lean too far through the bars!!..)
I'll keep you posted.

Caldicot

The first event of the year has happened now and although yours truly was unable to take part, I did pop along in the afternoon and thus got a really rare snapshot of what it looks like to walk into a castle and see the group in action. It felt odd to be in that position-outside looking in- for a change.
Sue set it all up and was assisted by Joel and a good job they did of it too. Not too many punters owing I think to the cold wind blowing, but a goodly sized encampment was set up and lots of interaction between the visitors and the team, youngsters were being schooled in various drills as I arrived and the sounds of mediaeval music were dfifting across the baileyorganised by Sue, Mistress of the Revels. Swords clashed and young pikemen marched up and down against the background of a very useful tent that Joel has managed to resurrect from the dead and gives us a good covered area to use when needed.
We look well set up for the year in terms of kit and of skills and personnel, all the various trades,skills and roles now have someone demonstrating/in charge of them who is very knowledegeable and practised in their particular field.
We hope to see you somewhere this year and PLEASE come up and say hello, if only to let us know that anyone ever reads this blog except me and Bess the Cat.
I hope to put more info on personalities and skills on the site as we go along this year.

Fortress Wales

A big event normally at Margam Park in Welsh Wales as you may recall. However this year it was at Caldicot Castle and it was indeed a big event. All the Mediaeval themed events and camps were in the castle itself which was great because it drains well and also really lent a period air to the whlel thing. We saw lots of people on the Sunday which was lovely day and quite sunny and saw some more through the tent flaps and belting rain on the second day. But there weren't so many of them (some of them were swimming too). A really entertaining event nevertheless and lots of money raised for Help for Heroes. We had fun and entertained a lot of mops. Weather was uncharacteristically kind on the Saturday and Sunday but went back to normal on the Monday and the canvas and wood kit are currently out in the air drying in a this brief patch of dry before the nexr regular consignment of rain arrives. It was bitter cold as well so the camp fire and hot food went down a treat and the crew were brilliant at taking everything down and packing it in the deluge-mind you we are gettting used to that now. A couple of weeks and we are off to support Meibion Y Draig again at Llanwarne in Hereford to help to raise funds to preserve some fantastic stained glass windows (Roundels) before time and dereliction lose them to posterity, a real tragedy.See you there if you're local.It mighht even have stopped raining by then, if it carries on raining this week here (and it's promised to do so) it will be the 5th consecutive week. Mad or what?