Birdlip
Thirty three Guard members attended what appears to be the last full display of 2025.
On Saturday members gathered at HQ to clean and repair kit.
After eating the usual fish and chip lunch three vehicles were loaded with camp kit, kit boxes, and shields, etc and driven to the event site in Birdlip where we erected the tents, set up the trestle tables and the artillery. Other organisations on site were Oxford Archaeology, Cotswold Archaeology, Chedworth Roman Villa and The Corinium Museum.
Back at HQ we had a BBQ, which included burgers, sausages salad and ice-cream, on the house decking. A very warm evening made for a very pleasant time.
After bacon butties on Sunday morning the Guard moved to Birdlip to first of all finish putting up the camp and tensioning the Onager. We then went to the village hall to kit up.
At 11am we started our march to the site and were surprised by the number of people waiting to see us march down Ermine Street who then followed us in.
The first display took place at 12pm and was notable for the size of the crowd
The afternoon display at 3pm did not have such a big crowd.
The weather was dry and warm on both days. Perhaps a little too warm when in kit.
Altogether this will go down as a successful event. 1000 people attended.
Caerleon
Nine members turned out at the ROMAN LEGION MUSEUM on the 2 August to help celebrate 175 years since the Museum opened. For us a fairly low key event mostly spent talking to the public. However it was good to return again to the Museum where we had not turned out since 2018. The weather was good and the public very engaged and asking questions. The Guard has a long relationship with the Museum where we first turned out in 1985.
Park in the Past
This was our first visit to this country park which has a reconstructed Roman fort within it. Overnight
we slept in the principia building and several canvas “contubernium” tents.
The weather stayed dry until 10 minutes before the last display on Sunday when it poured down.
Due to the rain a talk was given to the public in the Principia.
It was good that both nights had been dry as we then found the contubernium tents leaked badly.
HQ Weekend
HQ Weekend
Over 30 Guard members gathered at HQ on the 1st and 2nd of March 2025. The weather was really warm with bright sunshine.
Much work was done cleaning and repairing kit. Members were reminded they do not start allocating kit and removing kit from HQ without consulting the Quartermaster.
20 tonne of quarry stone had been delivered on Friday and a large crew of members did some good repair work on the HQ driveway. Some members also gained much pleasure in having a large bonfire.
In the evening of Saturday we went to the Butchers Arms in Sheepscombe.
York Museum Gardens
York was a job that was challenging due to the layout of the Museum and Museum Gardens, Times of Access and the Parking arrangements both for cars and the vans.
A good number of members arrived on Friday afternoon to erect the tent and unload the contents of one van into it.
Two displays were given each day to very large crowds . However on the second day we had to move to another display area as the organisers were worried that strong winds had been forecast and they didn't want the public standing under the tall trees. This meant on Sunday we could not shoot the artillery. At 12 pm each day we also marched from the Museum Gardens to York Minster, stopping for the public to take photos in front of the building.
Two new recruits turned out and did well.
The weather stayed dry each day and the forecasted strong winds did not materialise.
Colchester
At the end of July we returned after a long absence to Lower Castle Park in Colchester to take part in the Roman Festival 2023, along with Britannia who provided gladiator displays and Colchester Roman Circus Trust. Also present were various retail outlet stalls, food and beer tents, almost Kelmarsh reborn! There was also a Roman author event from where Lindsey Davis (author of the Falco series) came to say hello.
We had also given permission for a private film maker to take footage of us for a programme he was making about a Liverpool man who had decorated every room in his house with classical murals. He and his soundman turned out to be the least obtrusive team we have ever dealt with.
We gave our usual displays which were very well received and seemed to come together well right from the start. The artillery and archers shot well with Onager soft ammo landing in the river, Matt Preen demonstrated the cornu to good effect and acclaim from his comrades and a parade through the retail stalls and salute to the beer tent on the march back to camp was much appreciated.
The weather was mostly kind to us except that the threatened rain arrived at the end of the last display on Sunday. A hurried exit from the field led to the immediate packing away of the leather tents and display artefacts.
All told a good weekend at this new (for us) event which was well received with the organisers hoping for a return and several Guard members judging it to be the best job of the season so far.
Chester House Estate
A return to what is becoming an annual visit to this site. The weather was really hot on both days
and members had to make sure they kept themselves hydrated.
Steve Wagstaff and Fiona were making and displaying their Roman reproductions and Jim the Pot
was making Roman pottery. Also present were many history and archaeological groups.
The displays went well however during the first on Sunday morning Seggie put his foot down a rabbit
hole and had to be taken off the arena. He was attended by the ambulance crew, who were present,
and after being taken to hospital was found to have strained a tendon.
Terracotta Army
Our President Professor Simon James visiting the Terracotta Army complete with Guard Tie
Blaise Castle and Fishbourne
Blaise Castle
A Guard turnout took part in Bristol's Amazing Archaeology Day. Unlike last year, when it rained all day, The weather was dry and sunny. Public attendance was good as usual with this event.
Fishbourne Roman Palace.
This event went well with sunny weather both days. Two evenings were spent in the Bulls Head pub and yorkie provided bacon butties on Sunday morning.
Vindolanda
On Saturday morning we set up the camp by the Wall reconstructions . Two displays were given each day plus some children's marching sessions. Visitor numbers at Vindolanda on Saturday were the highest of 2024.
On Friday evening we retired to the Twice Brewed Pub where, by chance, we met members of the Sixth Legion from York. They subsequently made a visit to our camp. On Saturday evening some members stayed at Vindolanda for a BBQ but others went to Hexham for a meal. I took some new members to Housesteads early on Sunday morning.
The weather all weekend was dry but on the wrong side of being warm although we did the displays without cloaks.
"Came to see you today at Vindolanda and really enjoyed your show, very informative, friendly and knowledgeable re-enactors. Really brought the Romans to life in a spectacular location. Thank-you for what you do in keeping the Roman story alive."
Chester House
The displays went well with large crowds each time.The weather was bright warm sunshine and members had to be careful to keep hydrated.
On Sunday morning a few keen members kitted up early to take part in some filming to do with wildlife and how the landscape had changed over 2000 years.
Altogether a successful event
Essex Pipeline Dig
Our Optio Tim Haines has been interviewed by the BBC about some interesting discoveries during a pipeline dig
Kings Weston Roman Villa
On a Bank Holiday Saturday four Guard members turned out at Kings Weston Roman Villa in Bristol. This site is only open once a year to the public but can be opened on request for schools. This event was a meet and greet the Romans, with a tour of the villa, a look and handle of artefacts and childrens activities. We were well supported by volunteers from Bristol Museum which made the event run very smoothly.
We fielded many excellent questions and were able to to do small display of marching, a shield wall and even a very small testudo concept.
British Museum
Eight members turned out again at the BM in connection with the Legion Exhibition. This time the event was from 4-6pm which was far more convenient. This session was for BM members and their families.
LINCOLN CASTLE
It has been a long time since the Guard did a three day event. The weather was dry, warm and sunny for all three days. Also taking part in the Historical Event were Regia Anglorum and the Household. At first we didn't know if we could shoot the artillery but permission was given and on the last day the archers also shot their bows. Three Guard members were stationed at The Museum each day.
This will go down as a successful event and a good first full display of 2024.
http://www.typhoonphotography.com/
British Museum
BRITISH MUSEUM. 13TH APRIL
Eight members paraded at the second sleepover event at the British Museum which went well. The numbers attending the event had been increased from 240 to 300 children and adults. As before we toured the LEGION exhibition before our evening session. We have now seen the exhibition three times and still consider it a must for anyone studying the Roman Army.
There will be two further events on 11 May and 8 June 2024
©Benedict Johnson photography ltd
Corinium Museum
CORINIUM MUSEUM, CIRENCESTER. APRIL 5TH/6TH
This event was well attended by the public and Childrens Soldier marching went well. Both days we marched up to the Market Square to stir up public interest. On Friday evening we retired to the Butchers Arms at Sheepscombe.
HQ Weekend
A successful HQ Weekend was held preparing for the new season. As usual the weather was challenging including snow……but repairs were made to a lot of kit.
On the Saturday night the Guard came together to celebrate the Centurios birthday with a buffet meal at a local pub and more than one birthday cake……..
