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We
like going to steam railways, museums and other places holding 1940s
wartime themed shows to put on living history displays which enhance the
visitor experience of the events which we go to. Re-enactment means taking a pride in your
collection of clothing and uniforms, meeting people, sharing knowledge -
but most of all - it is about having fun.
Other
re-enactment groups get involved in battles at some events. Through our
connections with others, we occasionally take part in some too. However,
our club is mainly for those who like a more sedate time at events.
If you
have an interest in history - in particular the wartime years - why not
come along to some of the events we are attending to see us and our
collections?
We are
particularly interested in new members interested in helping out with
our existing displays, or those who have collections to show off to the
public. This allows us to get into most venues for free.
Due to changes in the policy of event organisers - in that they now
limit the number of free passes they will give to re-enactment groups -
we can no longer accept people into our group who only wish to join
us to be able to walk around without participating in any static display.
You must be prepared to either collect and display your own militaria/period
collection, or help our existing members with their own displays or
other duties such as covering displaying members for lunch, shopping or
toilet breaks, crowd control as and when asked to do so.
Whether you are interested in re-enacting as a hobby, or you have seen
us at events and want to know more about us and our collections, please
browse through our site.
We like to dress up
in period 1940s clothing. This can be military or civilian.
Most of the events we attend prefer British or Allied personnel;
some events will allow Germans. At most events, we walk around
amongst the public - interacting with them: telling them about what
we are wearing, what we are carrying, and the type of life lived by
the kind of person we choose to portray. At some events we put up
a static display or diorama, with a variety of equipment and
sometimes weapons for people to look at. We don't expect all
our members to have and bring a collection to display at events; the
least we ask is that members offer to help look after the displays
of others.
Like other
re-enactment groups, we get invited to various 1940 themed events
around the country at weekends. These can be at steam railways, museums or
other places where the organisers want to add some history and fun
to their event. We go to about 15 to 20 events each year -
this can sometimes be as many as 2 or 3 per month - but members can
choose to attend as many or as few as they like.
Our members choose how many events they wish to attend throughout
the year - some come to most events, whilst others choose as little
as 2 per year.
What we are NOT is
fancy-dressers. We make every effort to ensure that our
clothing and equipment is as authentic-looking as possible. So
you won't find us at an event in a period-looking suit wearing
post 1950s period clip on braces, grubby modern trainers on our feet, digital watches on our
wrists or with cut-down cornflakes packets masquerading as gasmask
boxes!
Also,
some of our members dress in WWII German military uniforms - with
the exception of SS which we know can be upsetting for some people.
Our members are non-political and do not share the views of the Nazi
regime....we are merely historical re-enactors/collectors portraying
an example of our history. Our portrayals of German military
personnel are conducted following consultation with veterans from
this country who have given us their support for showing BOTH sides
of the conflict.
We
spend whole weekends at events, usually arriving on Fridays
evenings. We take part in shows and exhibitions during the
day, and in the evening we relax, sing, occasionally dance and have
a good old chin-wag. We sleep either in our period tents,
modern tents, caravans - or the less brave book themselves into
local bed and breakfasts or hotels.
We
are like an extended family. What you will find in our group,
as well as the world of re-enactment, are many people with the same
interest as yourself - history......showing it, learning from
it.....but above all, having fun whilst doing it. |
