Grand Historical Bazaar, 12-13 May

[EventPlan]

Hi all

This is a quick reminder that on 12-13 May, EventPlan is staging its annual Grand Historical Bazaar at Rufford Abbey Country Park. A you may know, this event is very much designed for re-enactors rather than being a "public display" (although thousands do visit). Last year was a great success and with even more re-enactor/living history groups booked in this year, it should be a cracker. Rufford is near Ollerton in Nottinghamshire so pretty central, and easy to get to via the M1, A1 and A46 depending on your location.

The multi-period bazaar is an unusual event as it specifically offers the opportunity for "ordinary re-enactors" to sell off their spare "stuff" - pretty much anything historical or historically themed*. Pitches are deliberately very modestly priced so that it's viable for indivuduals to take part even if only selling off a few items (although you'd be amazed how much ends up on sale once a typical re-enactor starts emptying out a couple of cupboards!). Some amazing bargains are usually on offer. Traders also participate so there's brand new items to buy as well as used (often re-enactors immdiately reinvest their takings in new kit, so it's a win-win for all involved). Both grass and marquee space is available at this attractive venue, which has an excellent cafe, restaurant & shops. Usually around 4-5,000 public visit along with loads of re-enactors (all* invited, even better if in kit!).

In addition, re-enactment and living history groups are warmly invited to come and display (whilst having sales stall too) so there's lots to see as well as the stalls. More are welcome of course but the eclectic mix of early medieval to 1980s living history and other groups confirmed so far includes Black Maunch, The Bowden Retinue, Callsign Alpha, Crusade, Drudion, The Harrington Household, Histeria, The Knights Hospitaller Association (including have a go archery), The Laxton Archers, Re-enacting Ancient Times Society, Regia Anglorum, Swords of Mercia, plus numerous individual period vehicle owners and strollers. Displays will include combat, archery, fashion, vehicles etc.

* Sorry, no WWII Japanese, SS or Nazi Party re-enactors or items on sale.

If you'd like to come as an individual, either to sell or just to browse, or as a group, please check out our web site for more details, http://www.eventplan.co.uk, or call on 01509 815645.

We do hope we'll see you there as the more, the merrier!

Howard Giles
EventPlan
http://www.eventplan.co.uk
01509 815645

[EventPlan]

Hi all,

I thought that readers, potential visitors and/or traders might like an update on who has confirmed attendence at this year's bazaar (so far). In addition to numerous groups and 20+ individual re-enactors selling off their spare "historical stuff" (a number expected to rise sharply as we get nearer the event) we have the following "pro" historical traders booked in: Apple Tree Vintage, ARK, Blackstar Leather, Dragonfly Hats, Gallow Glass, House of Freyja, Live by the Arrow, Merchant Venturers, Mercia Sveiter, Monty's Locker, Point & Shoot, Spirit of the Fens, Tillerman Beads, Time Warrior Productions, Roo the Leather carver, Runesmith, Vintage & Retro, & West Point/ Albion Small Arms.

The interesting combination of groups, individuals and traders promises a superb "shop to you drop" experience with all sorts of bargains and new goodies through the ages, plus of course living history and timed activities (including combat). All set in Rufford Abey Country Park's very attractive grounds with restaurant, cafe, shop etc.

If you, your group or friends are interested in either selling or setting up a living history exhibit/camp/recruiting stand, please check out our web site at http://www.eventplan.co.uk, or email me on admin@eventplan.co.uk or call 01509 815645. Arena with PA available so an ideal training weekend too (as long as you don't mind being watched by the public, thousands expected based on previous years).

If you simply fancy coming as a visitor, it's free entry but there's a modest £3 visitor car park charge. Visitors in period kit are particularly welcome (but no SS, Nazi or WWII Japanese impressions please). Come and enjoy a great day out at the bazaar and bag some bargains too!

All the best

Howard
EventPlan

[EventPlan]

Hi All,

We hope that you won't miss our Grand Historical Bazaar at Rufford Abbey Country Park on 12-13 May! We have an eclectic mix of 60+ sales stalls (individual re-enactors, societies and "pro" traders) booked in to date, 14 living history & re-enactment groups (early medieval, medieval, Napoleonic, 1940s and 1980s) so far, plus strollers and period vehicles (civilian and military). We still have a little marquee sales space left, and grass for sellers/traders & groups wishing to take part. We welcome re-enactors (preferably in kit) to come and brose, shop and generally enjoy the fun! For more details, please check out our web site at http://www.eventplan.co.uk.

Here's hoping that your season has started well, atlhough I'd like to catch whoever it was who has clearly been doing a rain dance...

All the best

Howard Giles
EventPlan
http://www.eventplan.co.uk

[EventPlan]

Hi all,

A quick update for those of you who are interested in coming to Rufford Abbey Country Park this weekend!

We now have 70+ re-enactor and "pro" trader stalls with a huge variety of second-hand and new historical "stuff" on sale, 15 (early Medieval, Medieval, Tudor, Napoleonic, 1940s and 1980s) living history groups (with a busy programme of arena based displays), 1940s singer, have-a-go archery, occasional Tudor music, strolling medieval musicians on Saturday, "promenaders" and military/civilian classic vehicles.

The weather is looking good and we might even see something called "sunshine".

If you aren't busy this weekend, why not put on your re-enactor glad rags and come and enjoy the show? Free admission (£3 visitor parking charge payable to the park).

Full details on www.eventplan.co.uk

All the best

Howard
EventPlan

[Earl Mortimer]

On behalf of swords of mercia We really enjoyed our first time at Rufford abbey.

Sunny walks around the market and park. Before our shows.

Then laid on the grass watching other groups proform. Excellent.


Thankyou eventplan

[EventPlan]

Many thanks to the swords of Mercia for your kind posting, I'm glad that you enjoyed it, and you were great!

Indeed, a huge thank you to everyone present, hopefully a success and a thoroughly enjoyable weekend for all. I Still can't quite believe how we got away with such nice weather!!!

The bazaar will almost certainly be on again the same weekend next year so we look forward to seeing lots of familiar and new faces taking part.

All the best

Howard
EventPlan

[Teagirl]

We thoroughly enjoyed the weekend, it's a gorgeous venue and the general public were very impressed, judging by the comments. We'll be coming back next year, hoping for the same beautiful weather.

Thanks for a well-organised event, Howard.

Well, an excellent event, except for the ninjas. We could see them, which was a bit of a disappointment. I recommend hessian capes and hoods for next time!

[Brian la Zouche]

i have been to the abbey a few times before ( not to an event tho )

and popped in as wanted to see the bring and buy, i have been to quite a few bring and buys .. not re-enactment

and at all other B&B's anyone could take items to sell off, the people running such B&B's take 10% and buyers get to see/ try on items unlike on ebay, and of course no postage fees

do i take it this doesnt happen in re-enactment ?

but the event was good, the groups friendly and talkative, and of course having spent many many hours there i love the venue anyway

i wonder if a real bring and buy wouldnt go down well sometime at some venue ?

any thoughts

[The Iron Dwarf]

was a good event but I sold very little, I guess a forge is not something you buy on impulse
will probably get more sales later on from this.

some events do a bring and buy, notably the ILHF

[Brian la Zouche]

i have some small items i'd like forge blacked, i take it something you could do for me at a show ??

[The Iron Dwarf]

I can at any event I take the forge too, currently midfest in august, will be next to the beer tent, the other event this year was the EMA weekend at tournament stud a while ago.

[Brian la Zouche]

cool will see you at m/fest ty

[EventPlan]

Hi all

Just to let you know that next year's Grand Historical Bazaar at Rufford is now confirmed for the weekend of 11-12 May 2013. Many of this year's re-enactment living history groups, individual re-enactment sellers and traders have already confirmed that they'll be there, but as ever we welcome new participants too! Details will be posted up on our web site fairly soon but you might like to pencil this date in if interested. We particularly recommend this show to groups looking for a pleasant venue for a recruitment & training weekend with a difference!

For a flavour of the show, check out a large number of photos at http://www.redzebraphoto.co.uk

All the best

Howard
EventPlan
http://www.eventplan.co.uk