History comes alive at Gloucester (From Cotswold Journal)

Stepping back in time at festival

6:06pm Monday 20th August 2012 in News

Gloucester is gearing up for a special weekend of historical re-enactments during the forthcoming Gloucester History Festival, organised by Marketing Gloucester.

Gloucester Through the Ages, which takes place over the weekend of 1st and 2nd September 2012, offers the opportunity to soak up the sounds, sights and even smells of 2000 years of history in one spectacular weekend.

Featuring 300 performers dressed as historical characters, the Cathedral Green will host various living history encampments featuring fashion and food from different eras, and children can enjoy medieval games or try on helmets and armour.

Activities include a knights’ tournament, archery and weaponry displays, medieval dancing and 17th Century music and songs. Inside the Cathedral, visitors will encounter a young Henry VIII and Tudor courtiers.

Re-enactment groups in The Docks will range from Saxon, Viking and Roman groups to the 1940s group The Spitfires staging a fashion show and playing music from the Second World War era.

Spectators will also be able to see displays of Roman battle tactics, Viking combat as well as musket firing by Napoleonic Redcoat soldiers.

Three replica historic boats will sail around the Main Basin at Gloucester Docks – a 32 foot Viking Ship, a Royal Navy launch from the Napoleonic Wars, complete with musket and bow cannon (which will be fired) and also a WWII Mark 8 Cockleshell motorised canoe.

Details of all events, including a timetable, can be found at www.gloucesterhistoryfestival.co.uk The Gloucester History Festival takes place from 27th August to 9th September .