Blast from the Past 2011-Broadlands

Blast from the Past 2011 was probably one of the best overall weekends we have ever had as a group.  The weather gods were kind (enough) and in terms of numbers both in camp and on the arena we did ourselves proud, with Sunday seeing one of our biggest arena displays yet.

We had been forewarned that the BBC and ITV local news teams were filming on the Friday, so those available arrived early to kit up and pose. As it happened we did a bit more than that – we were asked to do an action sequence, and with the upcoming Marathon event we jumped at the chance to re-enact a mini ‘battle of the grove’ in the trees. The BBC weather girl was there to introduce the segment, but being the HA we weren’t content until we’d dressed her up as a Scyth and got her in on the action too. On cue the hoplites – Andros, Aeschylus and Hywel - advanced, and the Barbarians – Achaxe, Xanthippa and Khushmasta - answered with a storm (ok, a mild shower) of arrows. In the final clash the weathergirl was one of the most dramatic casualties, and as she was lying on the ground Ash efficiently despatched her with his sauroter. Some of the footage went out as part of the BBC South Today broadcast on Friday night, which is now available to watch on youtube.

So, after that entertaining interlude it was back to setting up camp. Broadlands is rapidly becoming one of our favourite sites with beautiful grounds and ample space. This enabled us to lay out our camp over a larger area, and being right by the entrance we certainly made an impression with more canvas on display than ever before. As well as the command tent, association tent, sail tent, Jeff’s tent, and a new cook tent, for the first time we also had Murray’s display tent and.... a new surprise addition from the Croppers! Yes, finally the mystery was solved when we arrived on site to find the new erection already partially up – a yurt! So, not a Scyth wagon, but a great addition to our colourful camp that attracted much attention throughout the weekend. 

We were also reacquainted with our helpers from Bushey Park when the Rolling Thunder boys came over to say hello. Then as dusk fell there was a bit of a ‘hare’-raising moment... Question: what’s the fastest thing in a Greek camp? Answer: a Broadlands hare – closely pursued by one of the Rolling Thunder boys after some fresh meat for the BBQ! The hare looked pretty safe though, and the hungry re-enactor soon returned disappointed.

Saturday dawned dry and bright, and the public were already queing up at the gates well before the official opening time. As soon as they came in we were swarmed, but we were ready for them. Over the course of the weekend our interaction with the public was a credit to all, with numerous activities including Jeff’s oracle, Jax’s cooking, and Murray’s bow of Odysseus. As ever, the Pythagoras cup continues to be a crowd puller and, as ever, the stories around it continue to grow, don't they Cliff? One of the highlights of any weekend is listening to the increasing embellishment of this particular tale! However, from speaking to members of the crowd it seems that e-bay will be receiving numerous orders for said item. Cliff, you should be on commission! Medea the slave fetched, carried and generally got bossed around by everyone (it’s always fun when the rest of us get to boss Elaine around) and we saw the first appearance of Pherenike – yes, Steph’s first outing in a chiton, and a lovely Greek lady she makes too!

It was lovely to be joined by a few 'try before you buy' folks on the Saturday and Sunday - indeed, by Sunday we were running out of spare kit, which is saying something! Sarah took a break from Napoleonic re-enactment to dress as a Greek lady, and Theodora Christopoulos, originally from Greece, was delighted at the opportunity to get in touch with her classical heritage and don a chiton. So, our arena display on the Sunday contained the largest number of female civilians we have seen to date, providing an interesting contrast to the usual axe wielding, bow carrying, spear chucking, groin-kneeing, knife stabbing (yes Jax, we mean you) activities of the Scythio-Persian females!  It certainly added another dimension and showed the range of roles we portray.

We were also joined by Neil, his son Stephen and daughter Terri, who had seen us at a previous event and come to Broadlands to join us. Apologies to Stephen for having to wear Elaine's armour (although nobody would have spotted it!) however Ash’s linothorax fit Neil like a glove – not very often we find someone of comparable height and build to step into Aeschylus’ sandals! Terri came on the arena with the Persians and seemed quite at home with a bow, so to judge by the smiles on all their faces we expect we will be seeing them again.
  
Dave and his wife Hannah from La Columna also joined us for the Sunday, and all agreed that Dave acquitted himself admirably as a hoplite. We were also very pleased to welcome back Mike, who joined the ranks of psiloi alongside Jeff lobbing his javelins and Alan causing damage with his lithic missiles (rocks, to you and me). These are an inspired step forward in handheld ballistic technology, although dodging them does tend to interfere with trying to shoot the hoplites – still, that’s rather the point! We will definitely have to make some of our own so we don’t have to keep borrowing them from La Columna.

Speaking of La Columna... Having been invited to join them for their Bay of Pigs anniversary celebrations on the Saturday night, a little misunderstanding led to one of the most memorable moments of the weekend... The pictures say it all, but no doubt the sight of Murray, Hywell, Steph, Jeff, Ash, Andy, Elaine, Steve, Jax and Tam walking through the camp in pig masks and bathing suits carrying rubber rings, inflatable dolphins and buckets and spades will go down in re-enacting history! Nobody can ever say that the HA are not game! When we arrived at La Columna’s camp to expressions of shock, bewilderment and outright disbelief, our mistake was soon revealed – we’d got the wrong Bay of Pigs! But our faux pas was soon forgiven as the rum cocktails were passed round in our plastic buckets and we all merrily danced the night away to the sounds of Cuban Salsa. One of the most enjoyable evenings the HA have ever spent, and our thanks to La Columna for inviting us.

So, a thoroughly brilliant weekend in all respects.

Back row left to right: Jeff, Neil, Dave, Cliff, Mike. Middle: Theodora, Steve, Hywel, Murray, Stephen, Sarah, Sarah. Front: Tam, Terri, Andy, Elaine

The Croppers' secret project is unveiled: a yurt!