Re-enactment weekend featuring the Celts, Romans and Early Saxons a huge success
Stonham Barns Park, one of Suffolk’s premier leisure, retail and holiday destinations, has staged the second of a series of four re-enactment shows for families and history lovers from all over the region.
Ancient History Alive! looked back in time to bring the past to life. The show – now in its 7th year – focused on Ancient History from the Celts to the Romans and all the way through history to the Early Anglo-Saxon period. Different encampments of the early civilizations were staged to demonstrate how one was replaced by another. The show told of how The Celts were a collection of tribes with origins in central Europe who shared a similar language, religious beliefs and traditions and culture. They spread through western Europe via migration and clashed with the Romans who killed them in their thousands; and the fighting continued when the Anglo-Saxon mercenaries invaded and settled in various groups in different areas of the country.
Various social and cultural activities from this period in history were featured during the event in ‘Have a Go’ sessions as experts were on hand to instruct visitors on the different crafts and skills of the times and there were breath-taking displays of horsemanship during the weekend as re-enactors took to their steeds.
Said Stonham Barns Events Manager Fraser Carson, ‘This show was the re-work of a classic popular historical show formerly known as History Alive. This year it had a new focus and energy. It provided visitors with the opportunity to see the warriors and citizens of these ancient and most brutal times. Both adults and children found this an educational and highly entertaining event with plenty of action across the two days to keep it interesting.’
‘We introduced some new groups to the show with more Romans than ever and an amazing horse display featuring the Knights of Albion.’
‘The crowd really got behind the re-enactors which made it a truly engaging day for all. It was a resounding success with visitors, traders and re-enactors alike and we look forward to making it bigger and better next year.’
