Bushy Park 2010

By Ashley Holt

Firstly, I now understand fully why we usually start our season at the END of May. I had no Idea how cold it could be in a linen 'dress' and open sandals!!

We turned up at 8.00 am on Saturday to find that nobody knew where we were to go, but were told not to worry, they were putting up a marquee for our 'costumes' (at least that brought a smile to a rather cold and wet morning). Other amusing points of the weekend were being asked on the Sunday 'why didn't you perform your Greek dancing on the stage on the Saturday?' (not sure they had quite grasped what reenactment is about!), seeing JP get rather frustrated at the number of "oohh look, Romans!" comments, and finally the variety of alterations made to 'costumes' to compensate for the cold. I tell you, when yourfeet are cold, stick them into a pair of rabbits... perfect!

The event was really a one day, Sunday event (the Chestnut Fair) so we were rattling a bit on the Saturday, although we showed willing by dressing up and chatting to passers by. For the organisers it was the first time they had really encountered reenactors and so it was a bit of a learning curve for them too, but they did look after us well and were nice folk, so not a story of doom and gloom. Not being allowed fires was a problem though, particularly as it was so cold and I think it took until mid Sunday for everyone to really warm up. We were told that they might be able to negotiate a lifting of the ban for next year... which obviously means they want us back.

Now - Sunday... different thing. Spits and spots of rain and a steady cool breeze, but otherwise fine and the fair was very well attended indeed so there were hundreds milling around. For us, the first event without a deepeeka helmet on show - AND the first outing for the scythian wagon.

A feature of the show is a big parade, about a mile from one end of the park to the other. Being first chronologically we led the parade, with hoplites in front and two Scyths and two Persians PULLING the cart behind. I tell you, it soon sorted out the squeeky wheel!! The whole mile was packed with people and from the comments, clapping and general 'oohhs and aahhs' it seems we went down well. The sun actually came out and it made the weekend without a doubt. We then marched back to our camp and it was a good two hours later before the crowds around us thinned a little and people started to take rests. Everyone was fully hands on with the crowds all the afternoon - Hywel and JP spending most of their time outside the barrier in the front and barely visible to the rest of us because of the crowds around them. Fraser made his first appearance on site and entertained the children, although it was probably a bit cruel having him near the hanging rabbit, hare and skinned rabbit pelts!!

The other first outings were Jeff's new tent (which, amazingly, worked!) and Steve's new paint job - lifts the camp no end and our 'Scyth' tent is now quite bland in comparison.... We had gone a little light on display equipment (at least for us), but the weather would have made it hard to display in our usual way so given the conditions, not a bad showing really.

Jax had finished her fancy trousers and found out that a benefit of them being baggy is that they are great for wearing two other pairs of trousers underneath to keep out the cold. Special mention, however, has to go to Jax, Tam, Elaine and Steve who hauled the waggon the best part of 2 miles (for which the organisers brought them little medals... the rest of us didn't get any...). Having proved they can do it I think the next test at Cosmeston is to get them to haul it fully laden and with a few hoplites in the back... lovely!