Cliveden 2007

By Andy Cropper

This was, without doubt, one of the Associations best performances and several members received very favourable comments from both other re-enactors (or were they living history? - trust me you had to be there and complete the survey!!) performers and members of the public. Two couples travelled across the country simply to see us and enquire and we also had several membership enquiries.

For us it was the usual round of posing, piccies, kit questions and helmet trying on, but this year is never ceasing to amaze us. Each event we have undertaken has seen another step forward and something new and exciting.
The living history area looked better than it has ever done and again received enormous numbers of very complimentary comments and several photographers who actually wanted to come inside our barrier to take close-up shots.

There was also Steve's new 'erection'. It took seven of us to get it up, albeit 'hands on' for a good 45 minutes to get it to its full height, but it then stood proud the whole weekend until finally collapsing on cue in about 15 minutes. The effort of getting it up though was nothing to the effort of what went in it. A very impressive addition. It also gave us an effective and comfy focal point for the evenings. 

On Saturday, Cliff bravely took the field with virtually no training and managed admirably with minimal mistakes and a bit of 'Private Jones' delay. All to be expected and much to his credit. On Sunday, we tried something different and had a roving reporter in the ranks during drill and the final 'assault on the Scythian family'. Not perfect reporting I have to say, as managing helmet, shield, dory, responding to commands, holding the microphone AND giving commentary proved a little challenging at times, BUT the effect was good and it is certainly something we will experiment with again.

Ed made the final shot with his bow (all firing at me, I have to say, to get thuds on my shield that would echo through the microphone behind it around the crowd)... Now, I would claim that he missed, as I caught the arrow on the tip of my dory - yes you heard correct - on the tip of my dory. He would claim it was planned and simply a 'shot for maximum crowd effect'. Either way, it looked good. So Ed, next time........

Well done to Ed, Ben and 'Princess' Alice, by the way, for being a part of the hunting party... but running away just as we were about to impale you on our dorys was hardly fair!

The weather was great all weekend, the atmosphere amongst the group and our visitors/friends was simply magical.
Professors Grymm and Toombs' evening magical lantern show was superb, and the main feature - Professor Grymm's time-travelling Turdis (yes TURDIS) finishing with the Battle of Snickers, dancing hoplites et al was great, thanks guys. Seriously, it was quite touching to have his epic built around us and we had an excellent evening's entertainment. They then joined us back at our campfire and we sat, chatted and drank until the embers barely glowed. Is that not what reenacting is all about?