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The Shrewsbury Enquirer
Just a couple of notes from me. Could I say how pleased I’ve been with the performance of the pike block over the last few musters. Awesome! Even our point work appears to devastate the opposition every time. Well done guys!
As Paul says later, could we please support the post-Berkeley event this Sunday at noon at the Berkeley Arms, as it seems we may have a large number of potential new recruits.
For the chaps, the details of Blabs’ celebration of little Alfie’s arrival on Saturday are as follows:
Baiiiii
Much has happened since the last issue. Firstly at the pre-Berkeley weekend we gave a good performance in the run-up to our muster. We acquitted ourselves very well at Rockingham, which was an all-around interesting weekend. Finally, we have excelled ourselves at Berkeley Castle with an outstandingly, successful weekend event. I would like to thank all of those members of the regiment who came early, stayed late or worked their socks off during the weekend itself to help make the event happen.
Interesting how a little effort reaps rewards. Comments were made at Berkeley about our improved footwear – with only 8 pairs of the new boots in action. So if you want a pair, contact Steve King now. Turnaround time is about three weeks. Kit inspections will continue over the course of the season.
We have a run of excellent events coming up in June and July. With July getting really congested, our priority must be the major at Shugborough, which sounds excellent. If you can make Althorp and Old Sarum as well that is great.
Finally, I’d like to wish Jon and Claire a fabulous wedding day.
I look forward to seeing you soon.
Richard
Firstly Rockingham, what can I say, I missed the first day’s battle but it was more than compensation on the second day, so not to upset the system Dave G carried on with commanding and I carried the Colour.
A Battalia block with up to four Rawdon’s in our ranks making a fair-sized block with an average number of seventeen.
What a cracking battle it was, taking the fight to the forces of Parliament and giving them a good drubbing. This was only marred by Owen getting an injury because they didn’t stand long enough!
Monday’s battle was a bit harder when they teamed up - first two blocks to hold us, and then three to try and stop us until we were moved back to the Tercio who were trying to hold off four blocks outnumbered three to one until we arrived to take on two of them.
It was most gratifying to put down the champion pike block of Parliament and then end up with throwing the other block into the crowd ropes.
I was extremely proud of your performance gentlemen! And I still wonder how the commentators were explaining our retreat off the field from an enemy literally on its back…
Berkeley Castle was a muster of changes and seven battles, weather from scorching sun on Thursday through a bit of rain and back to sunshine on Tuesday. A lot of work to set up, a lot of guard duty and a lot of work to break down and clear up, oh and seven battles. Our numbers varied from the first drill practice on Saturday up to a total of twenty-four including temps down to the valiant fifteen that faced Western Association with nearly double our number on Monday; in the words of Dan, “The bigger the enemy, the more the glory” as being pushed back was better than being flattened, holding was an extra effort, to beating them, Well fought again Gentlemen!
Ending up with Midland Association at the end of battle number seven, overall a good weekends fighting.
We have several events forthcoming which need supporting from the post Berkeley meeting this weekend to Althorp Hall on 16 th/17 th June, I for one will be going to Jon and Claire’s wedding event on the Friday and driving up to Althorp on the Saturday and I hope that many of you can do likewise.
If you have not spoken to your file leaders recently, then please give them a call and confirm what events you will be going to.
And last but not least, Congratulations to Jon and Claire on your forthcoming nuptials.
Yours in the cause
Pleb.We had good time at Cheriton and I believe we gave Bryan a send off he himself would have enjoyed. As far as the musket were concerned I hope everyone enjoyed playing in Cheriton Wood, it was a privilege that Richard worked hard to achieve for us. Colin Bell passed his musket test as well; congratulations to Colin, so it was a successful weekend all round.
Then there was Basing, which I have to say I enjoyed more than any Basing for a long time. The block performed reasonably well all weekend, especially after a bit of reform drill, and I thought the firing by forlorn files looked good and seemed to work well. Now that Richard has drilled all the musket officers in the brigade and explained how we do things we will need to keep a step ahead so the forlorn file thing is a good start.
Next major event up is Rockingham Castle, which unfortunately I am unable to make so please make all efforts for a good turnout there, and file leaders please let me know your expected numbers as I will still need to book powder even though I’m not going.
Enjoy Rockingham and the coming season.
That is all.
The regimental policy is that after three years maximum, all members must be in authentic footwear. In the early years, members are allowed to wear desert boots. The Sealed Knot policy is one year,not three. Please note that caterpillar boots or other modern equivalents are not permitted on the battlefield. So those minority who are letting us down, please take heed. Acceptable footwear or you won't be taking the field! Steve King is taking orders now for a converted paratrooper boot, costing a mere £50 (less than half the cost of an authentic equivalent). The turnaround time is about three weeks for conversion. He needs your European size. These boots are acceptable as an authentic replacement under current SK rules. This boot will specifically give ankle support and enhance grip for the pike men. By preference, we would like our musketeers to be in a closed latchet shoe as this is more authentic. Contact Steve King if you would like a pair of the boots. There is a boot club available if the cost is too much in a one-off payment. Steve Luckett has full details of this scheme if you are interested.
There are several traders now offering authentic footwear - Gary Soames offers an off-the-peg shoe and boot service. He is trading at all majors, so there is no excuse for not sorting this out.
Tillier's is pretty easy going with regards to kit, however we are now coming under closer scrutiny from the army command. Footwear is the biggest issue and this was born out by the kit inspection held at Basing. It is in all of our interests for you to resolve these issues yourselves, saving us the need to take draconian action. If you need any help or want to discuss anything, please talk to your division officer.