PROJECT DIRECTOR'S REPORT

When I wrote my last report, we were about to embark on Kirby Hall. In nautical terms, embark is probably just the right term to use. The word Ark comes to mind! When I arrived there on the Wednesday, the sun was shining, it was hot and I was wearing shorts and tee shirt. (Not a pretty sight I must admit) Then Thursday came, and so did the rain! Everywhere began to flood. By Friday afternoon the site was so wet that the Cavalry were living in lakeside apartments and Tom Reed had a visit from some interesting exotic wading birds on the pond outside his tent. The comradeship amongst everyone was fantastic. No-one complained, everyone just got on with baling out and making the best of it.

The ACW battle on Saturday, was brilliant and the applause from the audience made it all worthwhile. The grand parade was probably the best ever, and then the black cloud above burst and everyone got the soaking of a lifetime. But still you carried on to give the audience (who hadn't fled to the safety of the big marquee) a very professional finale. The column of soldiers marching back up the hill looked so good. It must have been quite difficult considering you were all carrying so much water in your uniforms. By the end of the afternoon the Union camp looked more like a paddy field than a military encampment. I did get a black look from Dave Parkin when I said I would be back for my rice later! I decided that it was time to beat a hasty retreat back to the family camp and leave them all to it to dry out. Saturday night at the beer tent looked more like a night on the Somme, but the entertainment inside the Marquee was very good once Derek Turner Potter and friends took the stage and sang their heads off.

I have been told that the battle on the Sunday was even better and the grand parade superb. I was unable to come over to the event site on Sunday due to having little sleep on Saturday due to circumstances beyond my control. But, the sound of the applause after the ACW battle and the grand parade was so loud, it made me feel very proud of our Society.

At Tynemouth the weather was typical of August Bank Holiday. It was a very good event, even though our turnout was not good. However, it was still good enough to put on an excellent display both in the camps and on the battlefield..

By the time you read this, we will have done Sheffield and what a superb event that was to end the season. The weather was perfect, the event was excellent and almost everyone went away happy. Edna Baybutt, the granddaughter of the Union Cavalryman who is buried in Manchester, thoroughly enjoyed her day with us at Sheffield and was delighted with the book she was presented with about her Grandfather's regiment. Roger Willison-Gray did a really great job organising this special day for Edna . I would like to extend my special thanks go to our Arena Co-ordinator Nick Cole and Rosemary Clifford, 2nd. US Artillery Battery 'B', for looking after her throughout the day.

Although we had a late start, many people have told me that they have really enjoyed this year.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Tom Reed and Kevin Holden, my two assistants who have done a brilliant job organising the military camps. I know we have had complaints from some people because they haven't been put in quite the place they expected to be in. These things happen sometimes, due to the territory and the available space. It would be nice if these people would come and talk to us and find out the reasons why, instead of moaning to other people and printing unfair remarks on the Forum.

My sincere thanks also go to Steve and Pat Maywood, Val Webster and John Smythe for their sterling work, as ever, in coordinating the Family Camp, by making sure everyone is safely and sensibly camped and taking the Registration fees. This is a very important job and one that has it's problems at times. Steve, Pat and Val are not re-enactors, they just come along and do the job

for us and it is very much appreciated by the Board of Directors.

It was a dreadful shock to be notified of the premature and untimely death of Derek Gregory. Derek was a member of ACWS for twenty years. He began his time with us in the 32nd. Virginia, but a few years ago 'crossed the floor' and joined the 2nd. Wisconsin. He was well known by his talents on the guitar and banjo and entertained both camps in the evenings, sometimes well into the night. Hence, he could never get out of bed in the mornings. I attended Derek's funeral on Monday 2nd. September with several other members where he was given a fitting send off with a Guard of Honour from his comrades from both sides and also a lament from a piper. Tom Reed gave a brilliant eulogy to Derek and we all bade our fond farewell.

Next year is coming along quite nicely, but there is still a lot of work to be done, and contracts to finalise before I can give you the dates. These will be announced at the AGM as usual.

I hope to see many of you at the AGM, don't forget that this is your opportunity to put your points of view to the Company and vote on any issues that occur.

Tickets for the Dance are still available from Phil and Jayne Olden at Westpoint Sutlers, details in this newsletter.

Well folks, that's all for now.

Viv Corbishley, Projects Director