PROJECT DIRECTOR'S REPORT

Firstly, I would like to say a very big thank you to all the people who attended the filming weekend. It was a great success and Cromwell Films were absolutely delighted with the outcome. Although we had tried to explain what they were going to get, they were unable to envisage just what we are capable of doing. There were a lot of unsung heroes during the weekend and it would be unfair to single anyone out, so just give your-selves a big pat on the back. You did a brilliant job.

However, it is regrettable that the site was left in a disgusting state. Fire pits were left uncovered and rubbish was strewn all over the place. It is your responsibility to clear out and cover your fire pit. Skips are provided for your rubbish. It was fortunate for us that Phil and Jayne Olden stayed over until the Monday. When they saw what a dreadful mess had been left, they got to and cleared it up. Thank you both very much. It’s usually Mike and I that get left with the cleaning up. Please remember that when you arrived, the site had no fire pits and no rubbish. Please leave it as you found it. Also remember that farmers put their livestock back in the fields after we have left and plastic bags of rubbish are not the best things for animals to eat.

Fort Paull

There has been some concern voiced that the inside of the fort may not be big enough for both the living history camps and the re-enactment. I have spoken to the sponsor this week, and arranged for further areas for camping. Some of the living history will be outside the walls (within the security fence) around the wooded area, and the family camp has been moved to the field just before the gate. Extra security has been arranged to make sure that whilst the battle is on, these camps will be guarded.

There is a restaurant and bar on site, which is run independently from the fort. The owner will serve breakfast and lunches, at what he considers a reasonable price. A breakfast sandwich will cost £1.50 with a full English at £4.99. He will also do meals at lunchtime at £4.00

Living history Saturday, Sunday and Monday. The battles will be on Sunday and Monday at 3.00pm. Above ground fires must be used on this site. NO FIRE PITS TO BE DUG.

I hope that this will be an enjoyable event and will make a good start to the season. For those of you who have been before, there are no billets available for this weekend. Camping only.

Registration fee £3.

Kiplin Hall

This is a beautiful site, with far more land than we will be using, and a very nice house, which will be open whilst we are there. I am sure that our ultra authentic members will enjoy this site, as there will be nothing modern in view as regards to entertainment, just us. .

The lady in charge asked me if the ladies would like to put on an afternoon tea party in the library each day. I am sure you ladies will be delighted to oblige. The battles are on Sunday and Monday at 3.00pm. and we will be performing small displays during the day.

Phil will be there with the Beer tent offering his excellent food and drink. This time though, you will have to pay for it! Breakfasts will be available from 8.00am. and food will be on sale all through the day at extremely reasonable prices.

Registration fee £3.

Hoghton Tower

See Roger’s report for details on all the entertainment. The battles will be on Sunday and Monday at 3.00pm.

Registration fee £5.

Stanford Hall

This is a yearly event for us to do as we wish, within reason of course. There will be living history Saturday and Sunday. A tactical in the woods on Saturday, and finishing with a re-enactment on Sunday afternoon at 3.00pm. For those members who haven’t been to Stanford before, a tour around the house is well recommended, as it’s full of very interesting history. They also have a very nice tearoom that sells very nice, home made cakes. Phil will be there with the beer tent offering his usual good value fare beginning with breakfast at 8.00am.

Registration fee £5.

Littleport Show now called HARLEY 2003.

This event has now been taken over by the Harley owners club and is to celebrate William Harley who was born in Littleport in 1838. He went to Owego, Tioga, New York State in 1860, and enlisted in the Army during the Civil War in 1863. He was honourably discharged on 6th. August 1865 and returned home to Owego. He died on 24th. February 1916, in Wisconsin. In 1903 his 21year old son William met Arthur Davidson and the rest is history.

The event site has moved to the Sports and Leisure ground, which is a much larger site. The site for the living history camps is excellent and the same for the family camp. The Cavalry will be fenced in at the side of the family camp. There will be a parade around Littleport on Saturday morning leaving from the Sports Ground; the battle will be at 4.00pm. The Cavalry will be doing a separate display and there will only be a small presence from them in the battle due to safety issues. This will be an arena event, with loads more entertainment going on around us, ending with a Status Quo tribute band in the evening. There is an excellent bar in the leisure centre. On Sunday they have asked us to do a parade to the church (just around the corner) and a salute to commemorate the unveiling of a plaque to William Harley at midday, which will probably take about an hour, and then we can all go home.

Registration fee £3.

Weston Park

Our own International event. The Road to Malvern Hill. See Roger’s separate report. Camping from Thursday 24th. July until Tuesday 29th. July. The entertainment in the first arena will commence at 10.00am. You will be delighted to know that you will not have to do the Infantry and Artillery displays in the small arena each day. I know it always interferes with your other regimental duties. It also means that you will only have to march down the drive once a day instead of twice. The battles are at 3.00pm on Saturday and Sunday. The bars will be open Friday and Saturday evenings. I am not sure about Sunday evening, but will check before the next Newsletter. There will be entertainment on the Saturday evening. More at a later date.

Registration fee £8.

Hands on History, Lichfield

This event is a Multi-period at Whittington Barracks, Lichfield and is being run by Gary Howard who is also the organiser of Detling Show. I am unable to give you any details yet as the site meeting is not until 5th. April. It will be on the same lines as Kirby Hall.

Registration fee £3.

Cornbury Park, Nr. Chelford, Oxfordshire

Once again please refer to Roger’s report on this event. We are unable to confirm any details until after the site meeting at the end of February. The event is fully confirmed.

Registration fee T.B.A

Sheffield Multi period - Eventplan. 12-14th. September

This event is being run by Howard Giles. As the fee is very low he says that he doesn’t want to insult us by asking us to do the event for nothing. So we are not going as a full Society. However, if any regiments would like to go along and do a living history weekend you will be welcomed with open arms. Howard needs to know roughly how many people will be attending to allot the space for you. Claire and Ian Morris have kindly offered to co-ordinate this for us. So, if you wish to go please email either of them or see them at events to get your name on the list.

Can I please remind all family campers that you must pay your Registration fee on arrival?

That’s all for now, see you at Fort Paull.

Best regards,

Viv Corbishley, Projects Director