NEWSLETTER June 2011

A extended stay at the large English Civil War at Chippenham has meant that the production of this newsletter has been protracted, but here it is!

Recent Events
28th-29th May1940Adinkerke / Cabour Belgium
Forthcoming Events
2011: As has previously been mentioned, we hope to achieve a more balanced programme of events for 2011; we will keep you informed of new events as they arise.

9th -10th July Edwardian Weekend at Crich National Tramway Museum: ( directions Enclosed) By popular demand we are returning to this event after a gap of several years. I have now received the car passes, so if you want one let me know and I shall send it to you, If you are interested in the Eve of Sailing Titanic dinner on the Saturday night, I have now sent off for tickets, so if you want to go to the dinner you will need to book this yourself.

We are bringing the patrol tent solely to provide camping space and some where to drop off kit, we are not intending to put on a Living history display: This is going to be relaxed, however, we will try to keep standards as high as possible.

Please note that it can get cold at night, so wrap up warm.

16th-17th July English Heritage Festival of History (warning order enclosed) ) I also attach English Heritage’s guidelines for Re-enactors: Don’t forget that there are showers on the plastic site; the best time to use these is probably mid afternoon.

This year we will be depicting Whites in Russia 1919; we are being joined by the Rifles and the Blue Jackets, who will be depicting interventionists. Croix de Guerre will be adjacent doing their own display also based in 1919. For those who prefer to depict Austrians, there will be scope to do this.

For those doing Russian, we are depicting members of the “colourful regiments” of southern Russia, so if you have a Kornilov uniform please wear it; some additional Kornilov insignia is available, for those who want to convert their uniforms.

We will be erecting three patrol tents and the officer’s tent as the main part of our display: Each patrol tent will have a display in the front half, facing the public, with the rear half available for private accommodation; if it is repaired in time, we will erect the bell tent behind the main tent line to provide further accommodation.
We should therefore have enough space for everyone to sleep on the authentic site.

As at least four of these tents need to be transported from Enfield help with transport will be gratefully received.

The beer tent at Kelmarsh has not been impressive over the last two years, so bring your own.

For those wishing to take part in the Boer display, I can send you a copy of the extensive clothing guide issued last year.

See you there.

6th-7th August Batemans; A WW1 event at the home of Rudyard Kipling: Those who have been before say that this is an excellent event.

6th-7th August Wings & Wheels Richard Jones has asked me to mention this event; Wings and Wheels is a large Military Vehicle show staged on Ursel airfield near Bruges in Belgium; although the society is committed to Bateman’s that weekend anyone who would like to go can find out more at www.wingsandwheels.be

Halen Belgium 12th -15th August 2011 I have had no response from anyone about this event, so I assume no one wants to go.

27th-29th August Military Odyssey Detling: Bruce has asked for as many Austrians as possible to attend.

Sat/Sun Sept 3/4th WW1/WW2 event, Capel Manor, Enfield. Details to follow. The Rifles have invited us to this splendid site: the Manor was the home of Sir John French, 1st commander of the BEF and is today the home of a renowned horticultural college: There are some very nice pubs close by, including the oldest pub site in Britain (800 AD)

25th September Royal British Legion Tattoo TBC

Sat 1st October Gunwarf Quay. Portsmouth. Please note that this is a 1940 event The organisers,(Hants police), require Allied Forces and Home front. Last year’s event attracted 30,000 visitors. All grub etc provided by organisers.

October: Display in aid of the RBL poppy appeal, Capel Manor,Enfield.

The calendar for next year is constantly evolving and new events will be added as they come to light.

2012:
28th- 29th April Zonnebekke (exact date TBC)
May 12th-13th Chestnut Sunday Bushy Park near Hampton Court
August 2012- Wings & Wheels: If there is enough interest, I shall try to get us invited
August Bank holiday 2012 Rasnov Transylvania (TBC)

2013: May Schonenbourg Alsace (TBC)

2014: Centenary of the Outbreak of the Great War
15th-17th August Zonnebekke
22nd-24th August 1914 Fort Liezele Belgium: One of the ring of forts defending Antwerp, sounds like a good event.

Ian Skinner
Events Co-coordinator
ianskinner@blueyonder.co.uk 0208 482 6124

Crich Edwardian Weekend 9th-10th July
Relive the Edwardian period to the end of the Great War with soldiers, civilians and period vehicles. The only chance to ride our horse tram. Old time Music Hall
By Car
Crich is conveniently situated close to many of the main routes running through the Midlands. This makes it readily accessible from Sheffield, Derby, Nottingham, Leicester, Stoke-on-Trent, Birmingham and beyond.
Just 8 miles from junction 28 of the M1, Crich can also be easily accessed using the A38, the A6, the A61 and the A52.
By Public Transport
The nearest rail station is Whatstandwell, from which the museum is a steep uphill walk of about 1 mile. There is a connecting bus on Saturdays and Bank Holidays from 29th May - 25th September 2004.Stations can also be found at Matlock and Belper which both have the benefit of more regular bus connections to Crich.
For further information telephone the Traveline on 0870 608 2608 or visit www.derbysbus.net
Contact Details

Crich Tramway Village, nr Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 5DP.
Telephone: 0870 75 TRAMS (87267)
Fax: 01773 85 23 26


ENGLISH HERITAGE – Festival of History – 16th & 17th July 2011
Participant’s information - please read in advance and bring for reference
1. Organisers
Event Manager: Emily Burns 07771 974 659
Event Assistant: Kelly Wood 07979 707 011
H & S Manager: Jon Hogan 07702 200 357
Event Consultant: Alan Larsen 07957 550 371
Living History & Authenticity: Mark Griffin: 07979 756 765
Market Co-ordinator: Catherine Miller Gough: 07917 053 348
Facilities Manager: Terry Barratt: 07860 904 659
Festival Stage Co-ordinator: Paul Saunders: 07984 955 918
2. Welcome
English Heritage welcomes you to Kelmarsh Hall and the Festival of History. I would like to thank you all for attending this event - we hope you enjoy your weekend.
As you know, English Heritage is funded partly by the Government and also from the support of our members and visitors. However, we depend increasingly on corporate sponsorship and private donations to help us fulfill our mission to champion England's rich and diverse history.
Making it possible for us to stage the Festival of History, we are delighted to once again have Ecclesiastical sponsoring this event and also the support of Wells Bombardier.
Ecclesiastical Insurance (Headline Sponsor)
Ecclesiastical Insurance is strongly committed to supporting heritage and is sponsoring a large part of our
National Events Programme in 2010, including Festival of History. They understand the value of heritage and the importance of the specialist handling required in order to look after it for future generations. In
addition to their commitment and expertise in heritage properties and churches, Ecclesiastical also specialise in charity insurance, care insurance and education insurance.
Wells Bombardier (Supporter)
Wells Bombardier is the official beer of English Heritage in 2010 and you will find them hosting our festival beer tent.
Brewed in the heart of England, by the largest independently owned, family run brewery in the country,
using English Fuggles and Goldings hops, Wells Bombardier is truly the 'Drink of England'
ARRIVAL
Registration
All participants must register on arrival:
Kelmarsh Hall is located on the A508 North of Northampton above junction 2 of the A14.
From Junction 2 of the A14 take the A508 north towards Market Harborough. When you enter the village of Kelmarsh you come to a grass island. There are now 2 different options to take. If you are in the living history camp you take the left fork in the road (watch for the signs, after half a mile down this road the camp site entrance will be found on the right. If you want to set up in the plastic camp once you have finished setting up in the event field, you must exit the field the way that you entered, turn left and drive back up to the A508. Once you reach the A508, turn left towards Market Harborough. Follow the A508 past the house and the entrance to the plastic camp will be on your left.
If you wish to go straight to the plastic camp upon arrival, remain on the A508 (Signed Great Oxendon) through Kelmarsh and the entrance will be on your left as you go down the hill.
Please note that from 8am on each event day, the entrance to the living history camp will be closed to all vehicles. All participants must gain entrance through the plastic camp entrance as mentioned above. This is due to road closure implemented for the duration of the event and a one way system being implemented.
Participants who try to gain entry through the living history entrance will have to follow a long detour round to the plastic camp entrance.
This event is by invitation only. Gatecrashers will be ejected from the event. Please do not invite others (including press) without prior EH agreement.
No modern vehicles will be permitted in public/ display areas from 8am Saturday to 6:15pm Sunday (later if there is a delay in clearing visitors).
Participants Parking
Participants parking will be as per last year and will be clearly signed from the event field. Please ensure that you park with consideration to others and make the best use of space.
Within the plastic camp, there will be designated car parking areas that will be kept separate from the tents.
3. DO'S AND DON'TS
Setting up camp
Each group/society within the living history camp must liaise with Mark Griffin or his staff before setting up begins. Please contact him on arrival via the security staff, stating clearly your period and group. Do not attempt to enter the site without a guide.
Plastic Camp Area
The plastic camp will be divided into areas, with each large group being allocated a specific area. Smaller groups and individuals will be allocated one area.
The areas will be marked by stakes in the grass and will be clearly signed. Participants must camp within these marked areas and keep lanes free for health and safety reasons.
As mentioned above, there will be a separate area allocated for car parking. Cars must be parked within these areas alone and not within camping areas next to tents as this is serious health and safety risk.
Please note that there will be specific ‘Cook Out’ areas within the plastic camp where people are permitted to use their BBQ units. These will be roped off areas, clearly signed with the appropriate fire extinguisher placed there. BBQs must not be used anywhere else within the plastic camp other than the ‘Cook Out’ areas provided. This will be enforced by EH and Security personnel throughout the weekend. Portable aluminium disposable BBQs are not permitted at the event at all.
Authenticity
All participants must be fully authentic in public areas between 9am and 6.30pm on Saturday & Sunday. No inappropriate modern glasses, smoking, buggies, ice creams, coke cans, burgers, cameras etc when in kit and no cross-dressing within living history encampments. Catering has been provided within the plastic camp so please go there for breaks instead. A limited number of ‘backstage’ toilets will be provided for re-enactors within the event field. The location of these is marked on the map. There are also plenty of toilets available
for use in the plastic camp for re-enactors during the day.
Health & Safety
Fire: There are fire points at regular intervals throughout the event field and the campsite. If you hear the alarm raised (a verbal warning), please prepare to evacuate. The English Heritage Team / on-site security guards will organise a safe evacuation of that area.
Never leave weapons or fires unattended.
Always ensure fires are accompanied by a water bucket/fire extinguisher and that all members of your group know where it is
Note the location of fire points.
Drive slowly on site with hazard lights on.
All performers must take the greatest care when using any weapon, ensuring the safety of society members and audience alike.
Wood
Don't hoard wood – plenty will be made available.
Behaviour
Groups are responsible for policing their own members, including children. No anti-social behaviour will be tolerated.
Alcohol:
Don't drink alcohol during the day - it is illegal to be drunk in possession of a weapon and the police will check.
We have instructed the owner of the beer tent, Red Kite Limited not to serve alcohol to any-one in kit during event opening hours.
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Rubbish
Please bag & bin all rubbish in the skips. Skips can be found in backstage area in the event field and also in the plastic camp. All rubbish is sorted for re-cycling.
Water
Stand pipes can be found situated at regular intervals around the event field and plastic camp and will be clearly signed. The water in the stand pipes has all been tested and certified as drinking water.
Showers
Showers will be available in the plastic camp.
Camp Fires
Only raised fires allowed. No fire pits to be dug please.
Digging
There must be no digging into the ground at all. Kelmarsh benefits from a very effective drainage system that will be damaged by any digging.
Straw and Sand
Groups that require straw or sand must request it in advance. Please contact me on Emily.burns@englishheritage.org.uk to do so. Please be sensible with your order and state what you require it for in the e-mail.
Beer Tent
The beer tent has moved! It can now be found next to the main visitor entrance within the event field. A live band will be playing on Saturday night and hot food concessions will be open for the evening. We would like to emphasis that only alcohol purchased from the bar is permitted within the licensed marquee. Please refrain from bringing your own alcohol for consumption into the marquee. You wouldn’t expect to be able to do this in a pub – and the beer tent operates on exactly the same basis as that.
4. TIMETABLE
Thursday 15th July (1pm to 7pm): Site opens for performer arrival
Friday 16th July (From 9am – 24 hours): Site opens for performer arrival. However, Mark Griffin will not be on site after 1am to site people. Anyone requiring siting will either have to be there by 1am or wait to set up till the following morning.
Saturday 17th July
8.00am All modern vehicles to be off event field.
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8.00am Arena briefing for society co-ordinators. Meet by PA point in each arena (Main Arena,
Parade Ground, Tournament Arena, Agincourt Arena). Please make sure that you, or a
representative, are in attendance for each briefing that is relevant to your group.
9:30am Gates open to visitors.
6pm Site closes to visitors.
Sunday 17th July
Daytime: As above, except vehicles allowed onto event field from 6:15pm (later if site not cleared of public
– listen to steward’s instructions).
Please note that access between the plastic campsite and the event field will be diverted during three half
hour intervals a day:
· 9:45am to 10:15am
· 11:45pm to 12:15pm
· 3:15pm to 3:45pm
The alternative route will be signposted and stewarded.
Monday 18th July
Campsites close noon Monday
This event would not be possible without the hard work and enthusiasm of all participants and I would like to thank everyone taking part. Please enjoy the show!
Emily Burns
Head of Events
English Heritage