Festival of History 2011
So every year we attend the English Heritage Festival of History weekend. We drive down Sat morning, and stay overnight at Stratford youth hostel so we can make the Sunday events as well. Look on the English Heritage website to get a feeling of what goes on, and my photos on facebook.
Its great for the family. The organisers work hard to provide activities to appeal to children as well as adults. So Rebecca spent time in the craft tent, and played on the pretend beach. JM loved the wargaming displays, finally winning a zulu battle competition. The highlight for me was the Crimean War experts. I know little of the period, so it was great to watch the soldiers in replica uniforms performing drill and firing their percussion cap rifles, while explaining about the history of the campaign.
There was also plenty of shopping opportunities, including a armoury section with a rather nifty looking crossbow that Peter had his eye on. I bought a set of WW2 skirmish rules that were on discount, but that was only after a long long hunt round the Osprey Books tent.
The Saturday program finished with a World War 2 battle demonstration complete with machine guns, tanks, and a spitfire dogfight overhead. Spectacular and very loud!
It is a great blessing that Jane and I and all the kids all find these events fascinating. If it all looks your sort of thing, and if you are going to be nearby in May 2012 I strongly encourage you to come along – I might even buy you a coffee! No one complained of being bored at that weekend!
