MIDDLESBOROUGH 2007

This was a one day event, billed as the largest in the North of England and, for Middlesborough, it was big. We have been spoilt over the last years and other than Cosmeston, which has its own charm, it was the smallest event we have done and only a one day'er this year.

It was also in an open park and there was a 'threat' of potential trouble with the locals but it has to be said, a threat was all it was. The public on the day where by far some of the most interested, polite and curious we have ever had. The park was big, well kept and quite cosy - although the loos could have been a little more appealing!!

On the Saturday night after we had set up, the security guards moved their chairs around our fire and spent most of the night with us. To be honest, they had to keep leaving to do the 'patrol' thing, but we certainly slept safe in our beds that night with a guard on the doorstep.. Shaun, one of the the security men, returned to share breakfast with us, then went home, brought his family back to see the show and ended his day dressed in hoplite kit and wanting to join.

So we shall see.... he will be a good addition to the ranks if he decides to take the plunge though. Fitted in from the start.

A

It was a bit strange just doing 'show and tell' all day and we were itching to go into the arena and do 'something' - but as there was no slot to fill and no real space to do something on the site it was not to be. Dreaddy Paul entered the archery shootout though and he DID hit something, so upholding our honour. Fortunately there were so many arrows flying around that nobody other than the archers themselves could really see who hit what. So the official line is that Paul hit the targets lots of times - only with other people's arrows, shot by different reenactors.

We had a steady stream of visitors, including many reenactors who had not seen the Association before. Many with very kind and complimentary comments - and it is always nice to get acknowledgement from our peers. Quite a few other came over to give their condolences for Paul Allen as well.

We had our little banner up all day, draped with black, and also had a drink to Paul on the Saturday night - and before you say it, we know Paul did not drink alcohol. So we had his for him. Knowing Paul as we did, we felt certain he would have wanted it that way...............

The weather stayed relatively kind - but gave us a small shower late in the afternoon which meant that we packed the tents slightly damp - Zeus plays with us again - and probably the right ending to what has been a rather wet year.

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