Battle of Bosworth Field

Thursday 17th – Monday 20th August 2006

"In thunder, lighting, or in rain, when shall we all meet again?"

(Apologies to Wm. Shakespeare and the three witches in Macbeth).

For those fortunate (?) enough to arrive on Thursday, there was an evening treat in store - a spectacular lighting storm, complete with hail stones.

By Friday evening, the party was complete - 14 vans (I think), including one dog and several grand children. The 'hospitality suite', comprising the Wrens' party tent (mini marquee), the Watsons’ gazebo and one awning, was the venue for an excellent ploughman's supper - courtesy of the marshals: much munching and mingling.

Early Saturday evening saw us reassemble for a communal BBQ, with the weather behaving well until the cooking was finished - to the relief of the chefs. Fruit pie and cream was supplied by the marshals.

Flag was held after the BBQ to enable those who wished, to revisit the re-enactment of the Battle of Bosworth on Sunday. Some of the party also went to Mike Smith's marriage blessing in Nottingham on Sunday morning.

The photo competition was won by the Bonds. Clever idea of David W - we were all given a photo to stick in our van window. The idea was to guess what the shrunken or enlarged objects were. It got us all wandering around each others vans.

Apart from the organised activities (i.e. eating and drinking) there was plenty to do - Market Bosworth itself is a beautiful little town - full of flowers. The battle re-enactment was worth a visit. Apart from the battle itself (cannons, bows and arrows, cavalry charges), there was a medieval tented village surrounding the battlefield, with the occupants apparently living as they would in the 1400s.
There was also the Ibstock Country Fair on Sunday - lots of rural activities: gymkhana, dog racing sheep dogs steam engines (large and small) - you name it. Also Calke Abbey, the nearest NT property, was worth a visit.

The charity fund did well during the rally - Dave W won the Lotto 'bonus ball' comp and donated his winnings to the fund.

Our thanks to David, Lyn, Angus and Diane for a great rally and for keeping their cool during some trying circumstances. We suggest that you don't ask them about a certain chemical disposal point overflow, and two dogs that went for a swim.