PROJECT DIRECTOR'S REPORT

It only seems five minutes ago that Kevin was nagging me for my last report, and now he’s doing it again. Time just fly’s by. I haven't got a lot to add to my last report, as there haven't been any significant changes to the Events Diary.

Two weeks ago Mike and I attended yet another funeral of a friend and fellow re-enactor, Ashley Eltringham (Better know to his friends as Ash or Methusela. Ashley had been a member of the 19th. Indiana for some 10 years, but sadly he died on 5th. March – Ash Wednesday, after short illness. He has now joined several other long standing members in that big re-enactment in the sky. Our condolences go to Sylvia and her family. We look forward to seeing you all at events.

In view of the present situation in Iraq, we are promoting living history and historical education this year, and although our battles will be the same as always, we are toning down the advertising on getting everyone to come and see the ‘battle’. I am sure that the events this year will still be well attended by the public. However, we are not forgetting our fellow countrymen who are out there fighting for real and already too many lives have been lost.

Kiplin Hall

Since my last report I have received some very enthusiastic replies to my request for ladies to take an active part by holding a tea party. It has now been extended to a ladies ‘at home’. They will be performing living history in the house, with sewing, patchwork, embroidery, tapestry etc. If you would like to take part, see Val Holt (69th N.Y.) and BJ (Texans) who will be holding a meeting at Fort Paull to discuss a programme. If you have any ideas please see either Val or BJ and I am sure they would be delighted to take you on board. The usual programme will still go ahead in the camps, with several cameo’s, and drill displays. The re-enactment will be on Sunday and Monday at 3.00pm.

This is a truly beautiful site with a long historical connection with America.

Phil’s Beer tent will be on site with excellent food and drink on sale starting with breakfast at 8.00am. at extremely reasonable prices.

Camping from Friday mid-day until Tuesday.

Registration fee £3.

Hoghton Tower

The arrangements for this event are well under way. We have some excellent entertainment booked to compliment our own superb portrayal of American life in the 1860’s. The event is titled an American Dream. Our living history campsite is in a field beyond the arena known at the pond field and the other entertainment will be in the adjoining field.

The gates open at 9.00am Sunday and Monday and the public will be admitted from 10.00am. No vehicular movement will be permitted on the event site after this time. I will approach the owners to see if we can have the ladies ‘at home’ here too.

Living history Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Re-enactment Sunday and Monday. The time of the re-enactment could be changed slightly depending on the final programme. It will be no later than 4.00pm.

Camping from Friday mid-day until Tuesday.

Registration fee £5.

Stanford Hall

Stanford Hall is our own event to do as we wish, within reason of course. This event gives us the opportunity to get in some good training prior to Weston Park. The 4th. Michigan Cavalry is attending again, but with horses this year. Please remember that we must make sure that the gates between the authentic camp and the family camp are closed at all times. If you forget, you could be chasing after a horse, or worse still, he could be chasing you!

I must impress the importance of cleaning up after yourselves. You have a very nasty habit of leaving this site in the most disgusting state. All fire pits must be raked out and filled in, with the turf put back on top and doused with water. All rubbish to be put in the skip next to the toilets. All unused wood to be put back on the wood pile. Please make sure that children don't spend the weekend swinging on the gate until it comes off it’s hinges! If there are any area’s fenced off, that is not an invitation for the kids to swing on the fencing and run through the prohibited area. . No, I am not joking. All of these things have happened at Stanford over the years. So, let’s go there and have a cracking good weekend and leave it, looking, as though we have never been there.

Phil’s Beer tent will be on site offering the usual food and drink starting with breakfast at 8.00am..

I have asked if the ladies can do their thing in the house and am still awaiting a reply. There are now new owners at Stanford. Those of you who remember the guard of honour we supplied for the wedding will remember the Bride and Groom Nicholas and Lucy. Well they are now in residence. So best behaviour to impress them.

Camping from Friday. Living history begins when your tent is up on Friday. ALL CARS TO BE MOVED TO THE CAR PARK IN THE FAMILY CAMP AS SOON AS YOU HAVE UNLOADED.

Tactical Saturday, and Re-enactment Sunday at 3.00pm. Try to be there by Saturday morning in case the timetable for Saturday changes.

Camping from Friday mid-day until Monday.

Registration fee £5.

HARLEY 2003 at Littleport

See my February report. For those of you who have been before, this is a new location at the Sports and Leisure Centre. This is a much larger site than the previous one. There will be plenty going on all day long beginning with a parade from the event site around the town and back again in the morning. There is to be a Status Quo Tribute band in the evening.

Would you all please make a big effort to attend this event. I know some of you can't stand arena events, but I’m afraid they are our bread and butter and we really need the fee from this event to help fund Weston Park. I am aware that some of you will still be in the States, but those who aren't going, please fly the flag for us at this one.

Living history Saturday. Re-enactment at 4.00pm. Commemoration parade to William Harley on Sunday mid-morning.

Camping from Friday mid-day until Sunday after the parade.

Registration fee £3.

Weston Park

This is our second commercial event entitled Steam, Strife and Succession. As well as our own living history camps and re-enactment of The road to Malvern Hill, there will also be over 100 Victorian re-enactors, displays, talks and demonstrations from Blists Hill Victorian Town (Ironbridge Museum), Steam Fairground, Queen Victoria, Abraham Lincoln, General Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee, will be in attendance, and many, many other attractions. Gates open to the public at 10.00am. No vehicular movement will be permitted after 8.00am on Saturday and Sunday. The designated car parks must be used by re-enactors, please do not park in the public car parks, your car will be moved if you are in the way. Roger has reported separately on this event so I will keep it brief.

Living history from Friday. Re-enactment Saturday and Sunday at 3.00pm. All the other entertainment i.e. Fairground will stop whilst this is taking place and resume afterwards.

Camping from Thursday mid-day until Tuesday.

Further information will be given in late Newsletters.

Registration fee £8.

Hands on History, Lichfield

A Multi-period at Whittington Barracks, Lichfield, being run by Gary Howard.

I am unable to give any further information as yet, because the site meeting is on 5th. April. This will be on the similar to Kirby Hall, but not in such a large area.

Camping from Thursday mid-day until Monday.

Registration fee £3.

Cornbury Park, Nr. Chelford, Oxfordshire

Cornbury Park. Our third commercial event this year entitled An American Dream. The same as Hoghton Tower with more entertainment. This is a superb site with acres and acres of land in a beautiful setting. More information later.

Camping from Friday mid-day until Monday.

Registration fee £5.

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

Living history at Norfolk Park, Sheffield. If you would like to go along and chill out for the weekend please contact either Ian or Claire Morris who are the coordinators. This is being run by Howard Giles’ company Eventplan, and you will be welcomed with open arms.

Camping from Friday mid-day until Monday. No re-enactment and no firing weapons under any circumstances.

We need volunteers to help with the commercial events. If you feel you would like to help please e-mail either Roger of myself, or see us at events, we will be delighted to take you onto the team.

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

Well considering this was going to be brief, I haven't done bad have I?

Best regards,

Viv Corbishley, Projects Director