The new big bellows in action - this is before the public were in so we can
get away with being in a mish mash of period and modern clothing

We got the big bellows up and running properly and we can now get some serious heat in the fire. Heat which made us very popular with the weather being so very cold and windy, resulting in a very crowded forge so we were not so popular when we threw people out in the cold, but a crowded forge is just asking for accidents to happen which is to be avoided. Dai got a crucifix made for the group’s new priest and we did a very good business in making big metal tent pegs so the group’s tents didn’t blow away. It was actually quite amusing to watch the state of the tents, the authentic tents belonging to the reenactors may all be bigger and heavier to carry around but they took the wind and weather with no problems. The nice shiny plastic tents the scouts had, however, were being squished flat in the wind and a few plastic poles were snapped around the site. One up for the big wood and canvas tents there I think despite the extra space needed to transport them.

Cross made for the groups new priest.
A good hot fire and proof that you can have more than one iron in
the fire - this was part of the tent peg production line

A few notes about reenacting events for scouts;

Scouts ask endless questions, some good, some not bad and some that are best ignored (How do medieval people go to the toilet? Medieval toilet paper?)
Scouts don’t sing Ging Gang Gooly anymore
Scouts get up very early and start blowing whistles and being very very noisy very very early in the morning
Scouts are not impressed when Welshmen in Wales sing Men of Harlech in the evening

But the big thing you will never forget the sound of is about 300 Scouts endlessly chanting ‘He fell over’ when someone gets killed on the battlefield.........

Tent still upright despite the weather!