Once again we found ourselves in a Northamptonshire field staring at red coats, green tents, yellow knights and, for a time, blue skies and white clouds. Yes, this weekend it was the English Heritage Festival of History at Kelmarsh Hall. It has to be one of the most photogenic gatherings it's possible to see, and all over a couple of days. Belgian refugees camping out on their way to the coast in what looked like my brother's old Standard Eight, demurely-stockinged ambulance drivers, Roman centurions going 'sinister dexter' like in Carry On Cleo, muskets and markets, jousting and jesters. And as if to say "You've seen nothing yet" a Hurricane does a low noisy pass over the wheatfields from Market Harborough, and then on a whim spirals upwards into those white clouds. I suddenly felt the need of a cold Charles Wells' Bombardier in a hot tent. (Bombardier is a beer, before anybody says anything.)
Reassuring to hear about this. I happened to be watching Harborough Town F.C. playing football over the weekend, and I could have sworn I saw a Hurricaine overhead during the second half. Thought I was going barmy, but you've provided the explanation.
Welcome Backwatersman. I know what you mean about thinking you're seeing things. I once looked out of a London pub window and saw a Lancaster bomber fly past.
Here in the Cotswolds we occasionally see antique aircraft overhead, notably for an annual occasion known, I think, as the 'Civil Service Motoring Association Promenade Concert', which regularly includes a performance of Walton's Spitfire Prelude and Fugue, accompanied by passing aeroplanes. Only in England.
missed the festival thgis year as drowning in "The North" under shocking conditions - greta event and I will be more carefulwith my plans next year so as not to miss it.
I'm really enjoying the design and layout of your blog. It's a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a developer to create your theme? Exceptional work!
I am a designer, writer and photographer who spends all his time looking at England, particularly buildings and the countryside. But I have a leaning towards the slightly odd and neglected, the unsung elements that make England such an interesting place to live in. I am the author and photographer of over 25 books, in particular Unmitigated England (Adelphi 2006), More from Unmitigated England (Adelphi 2007), Cross Country (Wiley 2011), The Cigarette Papers (Frances Lincoln 2012), Preposterous Erections (Frances Lincoln 2012) and English Allsorts (Adelphi 2015)
"Open this book with reverence. It is a hymn to England". Clive Aslet
Preposterous Erections
"Enchanting...delightful". The Bookseller "Cheekily named" We Love This Book
The Cigarette Papers
"Unexpectedly pleasing and engrossing...beautifully illustrated". The Bookseller
Cross Country
"Until the happy advent of Peter Ashley's Cross Country it has, ironically, been foreigners who have been best at celebrating Englishness". Christina Hardyment / The Independent
More from Unmitigated England
"Give this book to someone you know- if not everyone you know." Simon Heffer, Country Life. "When it comes to spotting the small but telling details of Englishness, Peter Ashley has no equal." Michael Prodger, Sunday Telegraph
Once again we found ourselves in a Northamptonshire field staring at red coats, green tents, yellow knights and, for a time, blue skies and white clouds. Yes, this weekend it was the English Heritage Festival of History at Kelmarsh Hall. It has to be one of the most photogenic gatherings it's possible to see, and all over a couple of days. Belgian refugees camping out on their way to the coast in what looked like my brother's old Standard Eight, demurely-stockinged ambulance drivers, Roman centurions going 'sinister dexter' like in Carry On Cleo, muskets and markets, jousting and jesters. And as if to say "You've seen nothing yet" a Hurricane does a low noisy pass over the wheatfields from Market Harborough, and then on a whim spirals upwards into those white clouds. I suddenly felt the need of a cold Charles Wells' Bombardier in a hot tent. (Bombardier is a beer, before anybody says anything.)
14 comments:
That sounds like my type of festival, especially with the Hurricane fly-over.
By the way, I like the beer crate photo, especially the Nut Brown ALe label.
Sounds and looks like good fun, especially the beer.
Only in England.
Hurricane must have a different meaning here on the Texas coast....so what is yours....some type of aeroplane? :)
It was lovely, wasn't it. So lucky to have this on our doorsteps. Arrived home with plenty of bits and pieces from the stalls, as well.
This looks so good that my summers in California may have to be tinkered with next year.
Florine: The Hawker Hurricane, a fighter aircraft used in World War II and very successful in the Battle of Britain.
Peter: Fine photographs as usual. Please to hear this event is still flourishing.
Reassuring to hear about this. I happened to be watching Harborough Town F.C. playing football over the weekend, and I could have sworn I saw a Hurricaine overhead during the second half. Thought I was going barmy, but you've provided the explanation.
Welcome Backwatersman. I know what you mean about thinking you're seeing things. I once looked out of a London pub window and saw a Lancaster bomber fly past.
Here in the Cotswolds we occasionally see antique aircraft overhead, notably for an annual occasion known, I think, as the 'Civil Service Motoring Association Promenade Concert', which regularly includes a performance of Walton's Spitfire Prelude and Fugue, accompanied by passing aeroplanes. Only in England.
missed the festival thgis year as drowning in "The North" under shocking conditions - greta event and I will be more carefulwith my plans next year so as not to miss it.
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