For the fourth year running, we were invited to take part in Golcar Lily Day — a local celebration of the history, businesses, and community groups of the area.
We played our part in a multi-period encampment, showing British history from the 12th Century, right up to World War Two. The other reenactment groups were very welcoming, as always, and we were able to take some time indulging our inner history nerds by looking at cooking, crafts, weapons and armour across the periods — some of us even got to have a go at creating chainmail by hand (won’t be giving up the day job!).
In turn, we displayed our own soldiers’ camp, with cooking, leatherwork, a forge, gambling, and an apothecary. Thank to all the interested visitors we had throughout the day.
Photos by Emma Rose McHale and Kate MacFarlane
The audience may have seen that during the commentary for the display I was joined by her very cute and lovely assistant — little Izzy!
Of course, this being Yorkshire in the spring it did a LITTLE damp…
But we were very fortunate that after a rainy start, the clouds parted a little in time for both our drill display slot and march through town. For once, we successfully got our drums heard over the selection of bands parading ahead of us!
After, what I described as the fastest pack down ever (amazing what threatening rain clouds can do), we were welcomed by the local community and scout hall to enjoy a meal and drinks with all the other re-enactment groups, provided by the organisers and a local pub. Thanks to everyone who organised the day and to all those who came to see us!
A very successful day, with the promise of an invite back for the 20th anniversary, which we’re told has an application in place for a very special fly-over…
Written by Emma Rose McHale
Fire a cannon!
Fire a musket and go into hand-to-hand!
Be a drummer and lead the regiment!
If that’s not your thing then join our living history, where you can learn traditional skills!