Photographs by Shona Wall.
When organisers warned there would be “loud bangs” at Caistor Goes Medieval, they were true to their word.
The sound of canon-fire shook the grounds of South Street Park on Saturday and Sunday (July 4 and 5, 2015) as period re-enactment groups demonstrated their skills.
While the display was noisy, visitors were delighted with the entertainment, weather, and venue.
Weaponry including canon, early handguns and archery was demonstrated by the English Free Company. Alan Caine, the chairman of the Caistor Goes committee, was invited to light at least one of the canon’s fuses.
Other period re-enactments featured the Knights of Skirbeck, whose display included unchoreographed fight scenes with swords and poleaxes. The Knights demonstrated the “strike points” used in battle. Some of the armour weighed more than five stone.
Ben Owen gave a falconry display and De Mowbray taught visitors to dance in Medieval style. The Earthbound Misfits added their juggling skills and staged a jousting contest – on unicycles. The Misfits and MisFire put on an exciting fire dare-devil display as Saturday night’s finale.
There was free face painting, Medieval-style cakes from the Arts and Heritage Centre, wool spinning displays, and Splat A Rat from the Town Twinning Association. Some brave people tried the stocks for size. Caistor and District Lions Club sold refreshments.
The weather was hot and sunny, with only a brief shower of rain at about 3pm on Sunday.
Master of Ceremonies: William Smith
Visitors could come and go without restrictions throughout the weekend, but the park was always busy and the children’s play equipment was very well-used.
Sponsorship and support for the weekend came the National Lottery, Caistor Town Council, West Lindsey District Council, Community Chest, Quickline Communications, The Forge Advertising & Design, Caistor Post Office, Tesco at Market Rasen. I love Caistor & The Wolds, Mr and Mrs Waterman, Mr and Mrs Robey, Caistor Running Club, and a team of volunteers.