I did a page for last year and then deleted it which was silly as I could have just altered the dates and saved it as we are going to most of the same events. Oh well will know for next year!

This is my second attempt at this page as after 2 hours work one afternoon everything was deleted bar two pics (I have been saving regularly honest) Don’t you just love technology sometimes!

Anyway these are the events that I will be attending with my re-enactment groups this year. Where possible  the venues have links to give you more info on how to get there etc. If you do come to an event please come and say hello as I would love to meet you – ask for Alison from the Order of Fighting Knights / Falchions.

 April 26th Bolsover Castle, Derbyshire

 This is our first event of the season with the Order of Fighting Knights celebrating St George’s Day and there are rumours that the dragon will be appearing needing to be fought off bravely! Bolsover is our ‘home castle’ and we are lucky enough to be able to train there and do lots of shows.

The group at Bolsover Castle

Click on the link for info and directions.

May 3rd and 4th  Cosmeston Medieval Village, South Wales

Cosmeston is a wonderful venue for a show as it is recreation of a real medieval village. So not only do you get the tents and battle displays but also the buildings such as the piggery and the Tithe barn with the sights,  sounds and smells (there are real pigs!). Well worth a visit – I of course would like to live there full time.

I will be there with Team Falchion – here they are at the event last year and here is part of the cannon display in front of the piggery.

Team Falchion

 

A cannon at Cosmeston

 May 24th and 25th Ashby de la Zouche Castle, Leicestershire

Traditionally the weather at this event has not been very good but don’t let that put you off – the welcome is very warm and we would like as many visitors as possible – we need the extra body heat! The Castle is well worth a visit for the tower that you can climb to the top of for a great view.

20th and 21st June Tatton Hall Park, Cheshire

One of my favourite events (and the nearest to us!) this is held at  Tatton Old Hall which is a beautiful venue. As well as the battle there is a good little market to visit set around the hall,  displays of guns and weapons and the country park itself with lakes, deer etc. It is a great place for cycling if you have bikes.

11th and 12th July Tewkesbury Medieval Festival , Gloucestershire

The biggest battle re-enactment in Europe this event is now in its 26th year and is one not to miss. The Battle of Tewkesbury  took place in 1471 and was one of the seminal battles of the Wars of the Roses. Of course we all know how it ended but it is worth coming just to see the flags alone as over 1000 men march into battle!

18th and 19th July Berekeley Skirmish, Berkeley Castle, Gloucestershire

This will be a new event for us this year but is somewhere I have always wanted to visit as the castle alone looks fantastic.Visit their  web site  for pics and directions.

1st and 2nd August Ashby de la Zouche Castle, Leicestershire

Another event for English Heritage at the same venue as above.

8th and 9th August Bodelwyddan Castle, nr Rhyl, North Wales

This is another one of my favourites – run by the lovely David Smith at the very pretty  (if not authentic) Bodelwyddan Castle overlooking the North Wales coast. Not only a lovely event but one of my favourite parts of the country with lots to see and do including some of the most magnificent castles in the UK – we shall be revisiting Conwy Castle this year. See the web site for times, prices etc.

15th and 16th August Glastonbury Abbey, Somerset

This is another new event for me and somewhere I have always wanted to visit.This is a Team Falchion event with an Authurian legend theme.The Abbey  web site  gives details of the venue and there are photos from a previous event on the Falchion web site.

30th Aug and 1st Sept Bolsover Castle, Derbyshire

Back to Bolsover for our last English Heritage event of the year. It is always a a good one with over 3000 people coming to see us last year!

12th and 13th September Caldicot Castle, South Wales

Sadly this will be our last event of the season and this was also the first event I ever went to so this will be my 7th visit here. It is another beautiful venue with a castle complete with walls (a rarity at some places!) set in a lovely country park. The venue’s web site has details of how to get there and for more info on the castle itself click on this link.