Tewkesbury Medieval Festival And Battle Re-enactment - July 9I arrived early and couldn’t find the marquee! It wasn’t in its usual place, but closer to the entrance. Two tables to the left of the entrance were reserved for us which wasn’t really enough but so many organizations are represented in the marquee that there was no room for more.
We put our signs up outside with the boar pennant and covered the tables with the display and items for sale. Behind us hung some shields and posters. Re-enactors were soon coming round to buy and chat before the official opening at 11am.
A steady stream of people came into the marquee all day. When the heavens opened there was a mad rush to shelter in our marquee and soon no one could move! We suddenly noticed a bit of a leak behind us and moved things hastily out of the way. Thankfully the sun came out again and when I went to watch the battle there was little trace of the torrential downpour.
Annette Carson arrived about 3pm and was soon enjoying a cup of tea and chat with us and people from other stalls. She’s a lovely lady. It was her first visit to Tewkesbury and she really enjoyed the battle. When we were walking back afterwards we stood aside as some of the soldiers went by, then suddenly one of them was hugging Annette! A friend who recognised her as he passed. I was too surprised to think of taking a photo!
Annette brought two copies of her book with her which sold immediately. She couldn’t bring more as she travelled by train.
We sold quite a few things and gave a donation to the Tewkesbury Battlefield Society again and renewed our membership, as Steve Goodchild lets us have the space free of charge. Judith bought a copy of Fatal Colours by George Goodwin for the branch library (about Towton), and a copy of The Battle of Tewkesbury 1471: A Photographic Celebration of the Medieval Festival.
A big thank you to the many members who came and helped talk to people and sell things for the branch. The Gloucestershire Branch took over the space on Sunday.