BattlegroundYorkshire

Well here we are in 2013... and hopefully it's going to be a good year. Plans are in hand to continue with the Stamford Bridge Society and its promotion of the battle, and with the continued selling of the book and the new range of other items i have had produced. I will be adding an extra page on the site dedicated to promotional items and things for sale very soon, including A4 and A3 full colour posters, an exclusive limited edition set of A5 postcards and bookmarks and other items.

BattlegroundYorkshire will continue to expand this year also. I am beginning to undertake research on the next instalment of the series looking at either the Siege of York in 1644 or the Baedecker Raid on York in 1942. Depending on which is the most viable as an initial information leaflet / walking guide, (similiar to the Stamford Bridge one), i will then develop it into a personal guided tour and another book going into more detail with new illustrations as standard.

The late summer and winter was both exciting AND frustrating as far as the Battle of Stamford Bridge was concerned. In September we had the 2 day event in the village itself, (photos on photos page) and in October I was invited down to Waltham Abbey (photos on photos page also) to partake in the King Harolds Day event there. It was an excellent chance to advertise both the new Society and sell the new book at both events and we were blessed with excellent weather on both occasions. Crowds were good and very interested in what we were doing, the book and other items sold really well and we managed to get loads of new members interested in us. 2013 will be even better and bigger for both events and we hope to include new items on the agenda for the visitors at the Stamford event...watch this space or visit the Battle of Stamford Bridge website link.

In December we held a festive evening and fun quiz which went down really well, free food was even included... held a raffle too. We intend to hold more social evenings rather than just talks and regular society gatherings, this we hope will widen the interest as non-members are welcome to join the fun.

Our only downside was the terrible weather... we had planned our very first archaeological cooperation day looking at a stretch of old roman road near to Stamford Bridge in November. So i got all tooled up, packed my sarnies and filled my coffee flask, walking boots, waterproof jacket and rain hat all togged on, only to find the heavy rain had waterlogged the field. I half expected it but there was no point in even attempting to walk the field, the equipment would never had worked anyway in the half filled swimming pool. So we have planned for another drier day, hopefully very soon, but again its still waterlogged around this area and the clay based soil takes a long time to drain and firm out. We need a nice long dry spell and bright sunshine, then we can attempt another go at finding some new archaeological evidence that will help to piece together the story of 1066. So watch this space.....