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Event Reports 2009

August 2009 - Posts

  • Chedworth Roman Villa, Gladiators

    Gladiators fight it outThis year's trip to Chedworth brought with it our premieres of the telling of the 3rd Slave revolt lead by Spartacus and a demonstration on how animals were hunted and caught for the arena's animal games. With a large contingent of children in the crowds these shows went down very well as they are designed for a youngsters introduction to these histories.

    In front of the builing we saw the usual queues as people tried on various pieces of equipment and asked questions about the original gladiators and the fascinating history that surrounds them. At one point just over 100 people stood outside the building as members explained about the games and showed various merchandise that was available for the original patrons to buy from vendors around the games.

    With six arena events a day the weekend was very busy but tremendous fun.

    It was also the first run out for Ben and Meriel fighting as gladiator and cook respectively.

    As ever a big thankyou from the group to Gary for his narration throughout the day, to Steve for taking care of the logistics and the staff at Chedworth Roman Villa for their hospitality.

  • Lulworth Castle, Medieval Village

    Staying for five days in the grounds of Lulworth Castle was an event in itself. The magnificant surroundings, castle back drop and generally fine weather made for a great event enjoyed by the group, the public and event organisers alike.

    We stayed mostly with the Fiore Dagger drills for our arena displays, combining history, entertainment and action to demonstrate medieval dagger techniques used to protect individuals from the many nefarious characters the Middle Ages seemed replete with. Afterwards the children helped demonstrate the Battles of Crecy and Poitiers by defeating the French in foam pipe battles that left the members of the group on the floor bettered and bruised and the children having had a great time.

    In between the fights and demonstrations a constant trickle of people came to ask questions and try on equipment.

    One evening saw us filming, in the woodland near to the Castle, a dramatisation of the practical application of the Fiore skills used in the daily arena displays.

    Pictures and the results of Gary's hardwork on the film will be up on the site shortly.

    A big thankyou to Steve for driving us all back and forth and arranging a great deal of the logistics for the event, as ever!

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