If you would like the full issue of 'A Bit Of A Slap' - The Battlefield click here to download. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this file, if you don't have this click here to download the free version. Herstmonceux Castle Medieval Festival Herstmonceux Castle Medieval Festival, now in its ninth year is Britain's largest three-day celebration of the colourful Middle ages. In this magical setting history will come to life. Hundreds of combatants with cannon support will siege the castle walls. Mounted Knights will joust and Europe's finest archers will compete. Activities and entertainment's for the whole family; Fire-Eaters, Falconry, Puppeteers, strolling minstrels, period craft stalls, living history village and Kid's Kingdom. Don't be fooled by imitations, there's only one that's the Biggest! It's the complete day out for the whole family! DATE: Saturday 25th, Sunday 26th & Monday 27th of August, 2001 HOW TO GET THERE: Parking is free or by rail to Polegate Station. Shuttle bus scheduled to meet the trains. Fare £1. OPENING TIMES: From 10:00am . to 6:00pm. each day. ADMISSIONS: Adults £10.00, Senior Citizens £9.00, Children 3-13yrs £5.00, Group discounts. PRESS INQUIRIES: Event Director; Tel/Fax: 01273 723249 or 24HR. INFO: 0891 172902 Email address info@mgel.com Website: www.mgel.com On May 19 & 20 the 6th annual Willits Celtic Renaissance Faire will take place at Recreation Grove in Willits, California. Guilds, vendors and entertainers from around the United States will be on hand...over 500 costumed actors will portray life in the 16th Century.Jousting, Falconry, Music, Dancing and more. Rich Venturi Sir Conor Stuart MacKenzie Willits Celtic Renaissance Faire www.willitscelticfaire.org Tewkesbury Battlefield Society News Sheet: Nov 2000 ON THE TELE? For several months now, we have had occasional telephone calls from Optimum Television, a production company working on a battlefield archaeology series for BBC 2. The first calls were very exploratory, and it was clear that they were trying to decide which battlefields to include, so our response was to refer them to interesting people with stories to tell, and to publications. Dave Cubbage was able to give them an information pack which had previously been prepared for a Time Team project which was eventually aborted.... ......Communication has become more frequent since then, and we have been told that they are to spend a week filming in March, so it looks as if they are serious. Various re-enactors have been approached for the loan of weapons and armour. It isn't clear when the series is to be broadcast. The summer has been mentioned, but that seems a bit early. Autumn would gain more viewers, and hence more interes More Tele... Daytime television watchers may know about Russell Grant's little programmes on British attractions, called "Postcards". They are syndicated around the world, and co-ordinated with newspaper articles and internet things. Recently, he visited Tewkesbury to record a programme, and was given the low-down on the battle by Bernie Willoughby. The programme will be broadcast sometime in the spring, but we don't have a date yet. Word is that the series has been nominated for a BAFTA award. Talks and outings The diary is beginning to fill up for 2001. The following events should be noted: April 8. Towton battlefield walk. (see page 19) An early Sunday start from Tewkesbury. 7.30am prompt. This year we will be joining the Crooked Billet party, to follow the battle from the Yorkist viewpoint. 01684 294939 to express an interest, so that we can decide on logistics. May 5. A stroll from the Gupshill to Tredington and back, looking at the Yorkist route to the battle. Details later. July 15. A stroll around the Yorkist parts of the Tewkesbury battlefield, as part of the medieval fair. We start at 11.00 from the front of the information tent. Listen for announcements on the public address. THE MEDIEVAL FAIR As always, the Medieval Fair and battle re-enactment will be taking place on the second weekend in July. This year, that will be July 14 & 15. STONEHILL SCULPTURE A their January meeting, Tewkesbury Town Council agreed with the Committee's recommendation that the "Mounted Knights" entry from Phil Bews and Diane Gorvin should be selected as the competition winner. At long last we move forward. There are more hurdles to cross before the fund raising can start, but with a bit of luck they may now be formalities, particularly as many of the issues have been discussed at great length over the past couple of years..... TEWKESBURY MUSEUM Last year, we put together a proposal for making the battle room at Tewkesbury Town Museum a little more inviting. The timing was not very good, because the Trustees were going through a bit of trauma, precipitated by a lack of funds, and a struggle with the Borough Council for a long term commitment. All that is now behind them, and the project is now back on the rails. The proposal we have put forward is ambitious, and is intended to be carried out over several years, as opportunities arise. The final layout is illustrated on the next page. The bare bones of the plan are: Contributions towards the next copy of "A Bit of a Slap are invited, particularly if they can be provided on floppy discs! Steven Goodchild