Events Diary 2012

Pre-season Members Weekend

Introduction
The weekend of all weekends! After much searching and discussions about dates and venues, we have fianlised the training weekend. Most importantly the date seems to suit most people. This will be our most important get together before May, to run through the shows, make kit and tents, test equipment and meet members new and old!

Directions
Sandholme is a hamlet in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It is situated approximately 8 miles (13 km) west of Brough and 7 miles (11 km) north east of Goole. It lies just to the north of the M62 motorway. Keep on following Carr Lane until the tarmac gives out, then follow the dirt track, past the hay bails until you turn left at the sign to the farm. The campsite is on the immediate right, by the trees sheltered by the fence.

The Venue
Rather than spending hundreds on a venue with less flexibility, we are saving the cash. We hire our horses from Mark's yard and he is allowing us to camp on part of his farm. It has everything we need and I like the set up. There is an indoor riding school with electricity so we can set up electric sewing machines if we need to. We can set up tables and do leather work and learn crafts. It has space for archery and fighting. There is a toilet. We can put cars next to tents for easy of storage. There is a village with a shop and pub around a mile away for emergencies, but I would bring everything you need to survive the weekend. So bring everything you need.

We will be camping - authentic or inauthentic as you wish. It should not be too cold but please remember sleeping bags, cloaks, blankets, furs etc for a comfortable and warm night. Bring awnings and we can all gather under them. We will have raised fires, or bring a camping stove if you prefer. There is a little walk to the toilet, but there are also suitable hedges if you prefer!

The Idea
We generally spent over £300 on this weekend, but we are obviously saving the cash. We’ve talked to a few people about this and what many people would like is the chance to ride. Ride in a modern saddle, ride in a Roman saddle, ride with weapons or just play with a safe reliable horse. So we will use the money we save to subsidise riding for group members. Just how much subsidy we can offer depends on the numbers who would like a go, and how long you want to ride for. And please remember, if you do not ride, an hour session will cripple you for several days. But there is far more to this.

We can do our normal craft sessions, make clothing and even shoes. We can practice our camp craft, make fires, learn how to chop wood properly etc.

There is space, lots of space, for archery, javelins, plumbata etc. And for hand combat weapons training. Which leads us on to gladiators. We can practice the show. Work on the commentary, learn the moves and work on what we need to get right. We have even invited a couple of “gladiators” to come along and help. This will be hard work and painful.

We can help people put together Greek kit - clothing, shoes etc. It really is very simple so do not fear. Please remember to bring your own materials/cloth if you have them. We need to try to make the clothing, helmets and shields 'work' on the infantry and all be fit for purpose. We can try to gather together everything we need for a professional Greek impression for this year. What we can achieve here is potentially great. It will feel strange, but it will look brilliant.

And we need to make this kit work in the arena. Right next to the campsite we will layout an arena and work with the horses, including new horses which are entering training. We will go through the Roman shows, and the Greek shows.

If there is anyone you know who might be interested then this is the weekend to invite them. Remember we have lots of group kit to support new members. But most of all we can sit around camp fires and enjoy the peace and quiet of the countryside and the fellowship of friends. That is the best bit.

If there is anything you think you might need, but don't have, then please let us know here so we can try and solve it. Let us know if you are coming so we can get an idea on numbers - looking forward to seeing you all again soon.

Any questions, please ask!