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I thought I'd scribble a report on the weeks activities for those who didn't get along to it. No one else has.

(This is the second attempt- I just wiped the first by pressing the wrong button! )

Lo, Vince, me, Nobby, Micky and Chris McC. travelled across a week last tuesday. The weather was brilliant and we took a detour through the Lakes for lunch and to admire the view. At Stranraer though, the rain started -very ominous! At Omagh the park put us up in the residential centre which was very welcome.

Wed. We set the camps up and sussed out the park's agenda for the coming week - we were going to be busy!

Thur. It p***d down most of the day so we settled ourselves in the dry and made up 900 rounds for the coming battles. In the evening 5 French and 3 Searles arrived which livened things up considerably.

Fri. July4th. Now we had most of the troops on hand we could start practising for the three required scenarios the park wanted from us. The run throughs were punctuated by 'discussions' and the odd stabbing but an agenda was finalised despite more embuggeration by Ulater radio and TV. The final plan was as follows:
1.00pm. A skirmish based on the one we had perfected last year which involved the civilians. A rebel raiding party loots and pillages the western log-house despite heroic efforts by Martha Searle with bucket and broom to keep them at bay. The union boys race to the rescue and save the day.
3.00pm. A show and tell display in the Pennsylvanian log house field, once Texas Ollie and his amazing magic horses had finished their show. Our display finished with a volley to impress the crowds and to frighten the kids.
5.00pm. The Federals are relaxing in their camp when hoards of screaming rebs emerge from the woods to massacre the defenders and rob the strong-box of pay. The Union boys die gallantly around the colours.
On the Friday evening the poor old cornfeds were punished for their anti-social behaviour by having to repeatedly march up and down for the benefit of the TV crew. Untill they decided to march off and not come back -Mutiny!
The day was a long one so we were all tired at the barbie-q the park had organised in the evening. A great band though and Wes found enough energy to display his sense of rhythm and dance the night away.

Sat. An early start to practice making noises. Sound effects are required for an 8.00-9.00 Live radio show, so we are obliged to march around singing in a light rain while technicians trailing yards of wire make obscure signs at us to start siging/marching/shooting or shut up.
More Minstrel boys turned up to add to the numbers and we ran through our three displays again.
At the 5.00 skirmish we were watched by Aimee/Amos who joined us so memorably last year. She made quite an impression on those who hadn't been with us last year, including the 5 French.
Around the fire in the evening we were treated to another rythmical display from Wes, including Chris McC. this time as the 'Goober Bros.' How can I explain their act? - I can't. Suffice to say if Mcouioui can upload it to you-tube it is well worth a replay.

Sunday. The local media had all buggered off, so we were left in peace. Apart from a degreee of packing as we were going to need a smart evening departure to catch the ferry. We performed the 3 displays again getting ever slicker. then it was shower/eats/ packing and goodbyes. Followed by 12 hours of travelling to arrive home knackered. No change there.

That is the briefest of outlines as I remember it. Though I have left out all the jokes/banter fun/laughs and the odd grump. The weather was kind to us, as the occasional downpour and shower passed by during downtime and it was fine for our displays. I think everyone enjoyed themselves, despite the event becoming more commercialised with strategicaly placed burger vans, and less time for us to play and create our own off-the-cuff scenarios, but I'd go again - however it won't be next year as the park want to do C18th next time. I wonder if they'll attract record crowds as we did.

Andy C.