|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
The Shrewsbury Enquirer
Welcome /
From the CO /
From Pike Commander / Musket Officer's bit
Nantwich – the Regatta / PART TWO – JANE’S MUSTER SURVIVAL GUIDE PIKEMAN’S CROTC
Shock! Horror!! / Take a Walk on the Wild Side (or a walk to the pub) (or Never Mind the Bullocks) / Events for 2006/7
It’s a pleasure to one of you. Let’s try to make it that were aren’t outnumbered at the next few musters and get all the lads out to play and share in the glory.
BaiiiiiFirst off I’d like to welcome Mark, Janet and Anthony, Paul, Isobel Katie, Andrew and Helen-Jane, Kim and Antony, Jon and Kim and of course young Alfie to the regiment. I really hope that you enjoy your time in Tillier’s and the Sealed Knot – it is a great hobby.
The season rapidly approaches its climax. We have Dinefwr Park – a mini in south Wales that looks great, the big one at Nantwich over the bank holiday and our own end-of-season bash at Berkeley Castle. So lots of great events to go to.
This year’s August Bank holiday soiree will be slightly different. Rather than just a normal BBQ social we will be holding a boating regatta. So, dust off your flannels and boaters, fancy dress is the order of the day.
Many thanks to those who have helped out with Tillier’s events this season – not only Berkeley, but the Cheriton schools week and the Salisbury show. Your support is much appreciated.
So I hope to see you soon.
RichardAlthorp, Salisbury and Shugborough, if you take the initial letter of these last three musters, then that is what we have been kicking. It has been an honour and a privilege to Command the Gentlemen of the Pike.
At Salisbury it was good to meet some more new members and to welcome to the block Anthony, Mark and Paul with a winning weekend’s fighting.
Yet again another congratulations for the quick and efficient clear up at the end of the Salisbury event which has proved the proverb correct “many hands make light work“ perhaps we can do the same at Berkeley.
Can you all please inform your file leaders as to your expected attendance for the remaining musters in August and September especially Nantwich and Berkeley.
Yours in the cause
We had a good Saturday at Shugborough despite the weather on Friday It turned out very nice on Saturday and the musket had a good battle and performed very well I thought. We had fairly good opposition ( Midland) and they caught us out well with their pike although we managed to hold our position. The end petered out a bit with Parliament's cavalry just parking themselves on the flank and a couple of small musket blocks just standing around loaded stopping us from sweeping to glory down Parliament's line. I had to leave on Sunday morning to drive to deepest Cornwall but hope the Sunday went as well, despite the rain.
My main concern was the poor turnout for a major muster (thanks to all those who did turn out despite the weather prospects). There were a number of people who had said they were coming then didn't make it for one reason or another and I would like some feedback from the file leaders on this, so if you can let them know what kept you I would be grateful - not for any recriminations, just to be sure you're getting everything out of the Regiment and the Society that you want and expect.
We have a couple of events coming up - at Dinefwr Park then Nantwich - so please help your file leaders for me and contact them to give them some idea as to whether you intend to go to either or both. It helps us with camping space and obviously I need to book powder for the firers.
And talking of firers please keep up your efforts to get licensed and join the ranks of the noisy.
That is all,
Orville.
Rather than the normal BBQ social, Tillier’s will be taking to the water (metaphorically) for our Bank Holiday. Right after the AGM, it’s time for a quick change into your best blazer and straw boater. Teams of 4 will compete for the inaugural Taylor Challenge Trophy. Who will be king of the Water? It will be a great evening, fun for everyone!
Sealed Knot AGM – 3.00pm
Tillier’s AGM – 4.30pm
The Regatta – from 6pm
This is not exclusive to the pikeman, I hasten to add. Just about anyone can fall prey to this extremely sore and uncomfortable condition. For those who don’t know what it is: the sweat from your inner thighs/crotch causes friction between your thighs and makes them rub together. It starts off with just a slight burning sensation and your inside thighs appear red, like a rash almost. It will quickly turn into a complete mess as you walk because this rubs the skin raw – making you walk like John Wayne. Very, very sore!!
The Golden Rule to avoid getting it is prevention. Once you’ve got it, it’s too late.
So, to avoid the dreaded Pikeman’s Crotch ALWAYS wear either long close fitting boxers or lycra cycling shorts (obviously not the full padded ones) or any other similar lycra running/exercise shorts. The trick is to make sure that the complete top part of your thighs are covered and there is no skin-to-skin contact.
If you do this you will never suffer. And please don’t assume that it is only the larger thighed amongst us who suffer from this. I have seen many slim people suffer with this too.
So remember – prevention, prevention, prevention!
OTHER USEFUL STUFF TO BRING
while I’m trying to sleep is a nightmare for me (bah humbug, you may say), but I really don’t want to be a killjoy and the earplugs go a long way to blocking out background noise. Unfortunately, they don’t totally block out Richard’s snoring but I’ll have to live with that.
Small pocket-sized torch – handy for finding your way home/avoiding guy ropes and especially useful for examining toilet seats in the dark – don’t want to sit down on a wet seat or seat not put down.
Small first aid box with essentials – paracetamol for that morning after, plasters, waspeze for nasty stings, immodium (nothing worse than the runs on a campsite).
If space permits – a chair to sit on.
MORE TIPS
If it is a rainy muster forget about wearing skirts, girls. Believe me, there’s not much worse on a rainy day and the bottom of your skirts are weighed down with water/mud. The woollen ones especially soak up the water and drag you down. Also, when going to the loo and you have to lift the skirt, you get filthy hands and mud stains all up your back. Stick to breeches in wet weather if possible.
Footwear that lets in water in the rain is also not very nice. I can thoroughly recommend Neatsfoot oil (from traders or good leather shops) for authenty shoes/boots. You need to apply several times, allowing it to dry each time. This does offer some protection from the rain and also keeps your boots nice and soft. I also swear by the rainguard spray that you can buy from most shoe shops. It really does work – you do need to apply several times for it to be really effective though.
Keeping warm on cold nights early in the season was a challenge for me - I hate being cold. I now know not to wear pyjamas but jogging bottoms, a t-shirt and big fleecy jumper (if you’ve got one with a hood, even better). If you are fairly warm when getting into bed but know it may well turn cold during the night, one tip passed on to me by Di, is to go to bed in just the t-shirt but put the fleecy jumper in the sleeping bag with you, down by your feet. You could always just put your SK soldiers coat there instead if that’s all you have. Then if you do need to add that extra layer during the night, just reach down and put it on. It will be nice and warm because it’s been in with you, not getting damp outside – and obviously no need to get out of bed in the dark to look for it.
If the above fails and you are still freezing cold and really cannot get warm enough to get asleep, the following fail-proof method is guaranteed to work but you need to brace yourself. You HAVE to build up to actually get out of bed and leave the tent, go to the toilet if necessary or just walk around for a minute. This is the last resort butnothing will beat the feeling of getting back into your nice warm sleeping bag. Guaranteed to work every time!
If you have a partner, I can also recommend zipping your sleeping bags together and cuddling up, ensuring that you sap every miniscule of body heat you possibly can out of them, and getting your feet warm on somebody else is an added bonus here.
If you’ve got a kettle, a hot water bottle does not take up a lot of packing space – Katie took hers to Basing and asked the traders to fill it up. It was so good, I wanted it myself.
Never forget that whatever the weather – scorching heat, freezing cold, pouring rain, hailstones, floods, snow or mud – that you are not on your own in your discomfort. We all feel the heat and we all get wet in the rain and muddy in the mud. When you’re feeling miserable because of the weather, just take a look around – we’re in this together. Please don’t go on about how wet YOU are, you won’t be any wetter than anyone else. All you’ll do is make yourself more miserable and others too. Make the best of it for the weekend. It’s only for a few days after all and then you’ll be back in your nice warm bath and comfy bed.
Well that’s it for now – all the hints and tips I can think of at the moment. If I remember any more, I’ll do another article for you all. Please note, that these are my personal tips, stuff that works for me. Take from them what you will and discard the rest. If you’ve got a great tip for surviving a muster in any sort of weather that I haven’t listed, please, please let me know.
Reports of musket block firing at 100% “Not Fabricated”
Special Report from Charlotte Green...
was a sight to behold, not seen anything like it since that bumper pheasant shoot of ’79. I wrote a book you know.”
Unfortunately the Earl then went on about his own accomplishments, and, not wishing to indulge the rich sod I sought the witness of other people present that day. I found Sir Jimmy Saville, who had just been passing through on another of his 2000 mile, one-day marathons, “Eeeeh, it were reet grand it were, saw it happen down t’ hill there wi’ me own eyes. Now then, now then, say everything twice, say everything twice, jingle jangle jewellery – Never seen a SK volley so well executed, it were a benchmark for future generations - it were proper bo, I tell thee!”
Members of the public came forward also, many of whom had made enquiries to myself as to how to acquire a licence and musket, so inspired were they by the alleged beauty of the sight. Pointing them to an Officer, he gave them these helpful pointers:
1. Join SK
2. Apply for shotgun licence through the local constabulary
3. Buy gun
4. Pass musket test
5. Go pop (en masse)
6. Feel real good
7 Look chuffing amazing
One member of the public had the good fortune of having his camera to hand. Here is the image, immortalised for all eternity… Aaah, sorry, not that one, although in the past the concept of a fully-functioning Tillier’s musket block might have been comparable to a cold day in Hell. Here is the famous image, immortalised for all time of Tillier’s musket at full strength…
Errrm, might not be conclusive, but impressive all the same….I’ll get me coat…
Take a Walk on the Wild Side (or a walk to the pub) (or Never Mind the Bullocks)
Was a hot afternoon, the 16th of June
I thought it would melt us
The rain trickled down, I thought we would drown
We went for a ramble.
Must get to the pub, for our evening grub
A short walk cross country
The kids thought it was fun and started to run
We came to a hurdle.
Then he turned to me, I heard him softly say
I know you're short, but get your fat arse over that gate
Climb up here, get your leg over the top
Then we'll be on our way.
After a while, I got over the style
and we walked for a mile to see
Another huge gate with cows in the way
Who were staring back at me.
Hysteria crept in, I kept snivelling
Lillie walked slowly
I grabbed at her hand, and dragged her along
They wanted to kill me.
We kept walking past, ever so fast
They were getting nearer
We were up to the gate, we've made it – great
Get me out of here quickly.
We got to the pub, and here is the rub
NO FOOD!
Carol Grant-Howell
TILLIER’S REGIMENT AGM
Pleased be advised that the Regimental AGM will be held at 4.30pm on Saturday 25 th August at the Nantwich muster. Anyone wishing to add an item to the agenda most notify the adjutant in writing at least two weeks before the meeting
The Siege of Berkeley Castle
8/9 th September 2007
Booked Mini
What a great way to end the season. We have unfortunately had to put a limit on the numbers attending this event due to a restricted amount of camping space and a small battlefield. Each regiment attending will be required to perform some formal, authentic drill display or provide garrison guards and cameos around the castle. A charge of £3.00 per adult member is being levied to cover the costs of this event.
Directions
From North leave the M5 at Junction 13 and join the A38 south, from the South leave at Junction 14, turn left onto the B4509. At T-Junction turn right onto A38 north. After seven (from north) or three (from south) miles, look for right (from north) left (from south) turn to Berkeley (brown signs for castle as well). Follow road up into town then look for a sharp left turn just after the Berkeley Arms Hotel. Follow road for ½ mile and the campsite is on the left.
There is limited space for a small authentic camp, so please book in with the authentic camp co-ordinator.
Must book in with the muster organiser in advance due to space restrictions.
The campsite will open 12 noon Friday 7 th and closes 21.00hrs on Sunday 9 th. Note there is no staying over on the Sunday night.
There will be a need for regiments to entertain the public throughout the day with arena displays and to garrison the castle – setting guards, searching the public etc.
10.00 Officers’ briefing
21.00 Dusk assault on the castle defences (possible)
Saturday and Sunday
11.00 Powder issue. Garrison of castle by regiment
13.00 Arena drill display 1
14.15 Arena drill display 2
15.00 Battle.
The event will be supported by a fantastic beer tent, entertainment in the evening and an SK food trader.
21/22 July |
NEWBRIDGE Oxon |
Mini Muster |
* |
4/5 Aug |
DINEFWR PARK Llandeilo |
Mini Muster |
*** |
25/27 Aug |
NANTWICH Cheshire |
Major Muster |
***** |
8/9 Sept |
BERKELEY Glos |
Mini Muster |
***** |
22/23 Sept |
1644 BBQ Weekend Alton |
Social |
|
Mid Oct |
STUDENT FOLLOW-UP Bath |
Social and Drill |
|
Late Oct |
Games Weekend Bristol |
Social |
|
Mid Nov |
War walk Bristol |
Social |
|
24 Nov |
Bowling Hampshire |
Social |
|
Mid Dec |
Xmas Drinks Weston-super-Mare |
Social |
|
Mid Jan |
ROLEPLAY GAMES Bristol |
Social |
|
2/3 Feb |
Superbowl Party Weston-super-Mare |
Social |
|
16 Feb |
Alton Beer Festival |
Social |
|
17 Feb |
West Gate Museum |
Drill Display |
|
Late Feb |
NORTH SOMERSET MUSEUM Weston-super-Mare |
Drill Display |
|
29/30 March |
CHERITON Hampshire |
Mini Muster |
***** |
12/13 April |
BASING HOUSE Hampshire |
Mini Muster |
*** |
3/4/5 May |
KELMARSH HALL Leics |
Major Muster |
***** |
24/25/26 May |
Hatfield House Herts |
Major Muster |
***** |