Blasts from the Past!
Our famous Classical Greek to modern era multi-period living history show, now at
Broadlands, Hampshire
SO51 9ZDJust off the M27, o
n the A3090 Romsey by-pass, ½ mile from Romsey town centre.Blasts from the Past is back! Enjoy living history from the ancient world to the space race - re-enactments, battles, skirmishes and displays - music and song - entertainments - have a go activities - fascinating historical crafts
Don't
miss this spectacular living history event! Formally held at Cliveden,
Buckinghamshire, Blasts from the Past has now moved to its new,
enlarged and extremely picturesque location at
Broadlands, the home of
the late Earl Mountbatten of Burma, at Romsey, Hampshire. Many thousands
of visitors are expected to enjoy exploring several different performance and living
history areas, with huge amounts to see and do! For a flavour of things to come, click for over 1000 photos of
our 2007 show by
Red Zebra Photo, Images2view
or
actiontake1.
Click the link for frequently asked questions
700 participants from amongst Britain's very best historical groups will present a continuous programme of exciting displays plus ongoing living history including arms, armour, weaponry, warriors and soldiers through the ages; multi-era living history encampments; battles, skirmishes and shoot outs; equestrian skills; military vehicles and much more. Non-military displays include everyday life through the ages, cooking, fashion, crafts and even a NASA spaceman! Visitors can enjoy children's entertainments including interactive displays, and a chance to train as "medieval men-at-arms" a In fact, there is so much to choose from, with around 50 timed displays and activities per day and several happening simultaneously in different areas, that we recommend that visitors consider coming on both days to enjoy it all!
Plus Battle of Britain Memorial Flight flypasts - Lancaster bomber (Saturday); Dakota, Spitfire or Hurricane (Sunday)
The Performers
Classical Greek - The Hoplite Association (C5th BC warriors, battle tactics and encampment)
Roman era - The Vicus (Gladiatorial combat, soldiers, Britons and encampments)
Dark ages
- Weorod
(C7th Germanic warriors, battle tactics and encampment)
Early Medieval: Jorvik Vikingr (Viking warriors, encampment and combat)
Medieval - The Albini Household (encampment, knights and combat), Hellequin (mounted knights and equestrian skills-at-arms), Dragons of Wye-Tel Puppet Theatre (puppet shows) and the Knights Hospitaller Association (encampment and have a go archery).
Tudor - Fahnlein Uri (C16th German mercenaries), The Tudor Group (English militia and skills-at-arms at the time of the Spanish Armada) and Earley Days (children's dressing up and have a go activites).
C17th - The English Civil War Society (musketeers, pikemen, artillery, battle tactics and encampments), History Re-enactment Workshop (Restoration era coffee shop) and Warhorse (Polish winged hussars).
C18th - The Association of Crown Forces 1776 (American War of Independence redcoats and encampment), Lace Wars (Jacobites and redcoats 1745-46, battles and encampments) and New France & Old England (French and Indian wars 1755-63, battles and encampments)
Regency/Napoleonic - The Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards, 1815, The 2nd (Queens Royal) Regiment of Foot, 2nd Battalion 95th Rifles and 62eme Regiment d'Infanterie de Ligne (French and British infantry, encampments and battle tactics) and Farthingale (civilians)
American Civil War
- The
American Eagle Society
(Confederate army camp and "bushwackers"), The Southern Skirmish Association
(battles, parades and encampments) and 9th
New York Volunteer Cavalry
(Union cavalry).
American West - The Wyoming Wild Bunch (Cowboys, native Americans, shoot outs and encampments)
Victorian - The Die Hard Company (redcoats on home service, displays and encampment); The Anglo-Zulu War Society (descendants of Zulu war veterans); Grymm Tooms Travelling Museum ("Victorian exhibits") and Skinners Horse (Indian Raj era equestrian displays).
Edwardian - The Antarctic Adventurers (Polar explorers)
World War One - Croix de Guerre and the 1914-21 Society (soldiers and weaponry)
1930s - La Columna (Spanish Civil War volunteers and encampment)
World War Two - World War Two Living History Association (Allies and Germans in Normandy 1944, encampments, field fortifications, vehicles and battles), Panzer Fusilier Regiment Grossdeutschland (Eastern Front German infantry and encampment), Hands on History (aspects of the Home Front including Lady Mountbatten's knitting circle), History Horse (Burma campaign mule), Military Equipment Collectors (British soldiers and equipment) Ancient Wisdom (Battle of Britain and Mr Punch versus Adolf Hitler); 2nd Tales (British casualty dressing station), Za Oberonu (Russian soldiers on campaign) and 43rd Reconnaissance Regiment (The Gloucester Regiment) Living History Group (British reconnaissance troops).
Vietnam era - 5th Special Forces Group, 3rd Mobile Strike Force 1966
and
Rolling Thunder (vehicles, equipment and camps)
1980s-modern era - Forces 80 and Past Regiments (vehicles, equipment and camps)
Space Race - Ancient Wisdom (see photo- the story of the space race including the little known but true story of the 1938 British moon shot project)
Pre-1970 vehicles and owners are warmly welcome to set up a static display at this event, so long as you agree to abide by our terms and conditions of participation.
Re-enactment groups and other performers: If you are interested in taking part in a future Blasts from the Past or our other events, please contact us for further details and click the link for our Standard terms and conditions for participation.
Timetable of displays and activities
|
Time |
Activity |
Performers |
Where |
|
11 |
Living history commences |
All |
Encampments |
|
11.30 |
Redcoats and Jacobites |
Lace Wars, with New France & Old England |
Battlefield |
|
|
Medieval hunting games on horseback |
Hellequinn |
Arena |
|
|
Roman Gladiatorial combat |
The Vicus |
Mini Arena |
|
|
Mr Punch versus Adolf Hitler |
Ancient Wisdom |
Entertainments & Activities area |
|
Noon |
WWII uniforms, equipment and firepower |
The World War Two Living History Association |
Battlefield |
|
|
English Civil War drill display |
The English Civil War Society |
Arena |
|
|
Roman themed kids’ workshop |
Robin Price, author of Spartapuss |
Mogzilla tent, historic market |
|
12.30 |
Tudor skills-at-arms (including sharp arrows and blades!) |
The Tudor Group |
Arena |
|
|
Redcoats of the American War of Independence |
The Association of Crown Forces 1776 |
Mini Arena |
|
|
Wild West drama and shootout |
The Wyoming Wild Bunch |
Wild West encampment |
|
|
Roman life and crafts |
The Vicus |
Roman encampment |
|
|
George and the Dragon |
Dragons of Wye-ten Puppet Theatre |
Entertainments & Activities area |
|
12.40 |
American Civil War cavalry |
The 9th New York Volunteer Cavalry |
Battlefield |
|
1 |
American Civil War skirmish |
The Southern Skirmish Association |
Battlefield |
|
|
Medieval combat |
The Albini Household |
Arena |
|
|
Dark age warriors |
Weorod and Jorvik Vikingr |
Mini Arena |
|
|
Dunkirk and the Battle of Britain |
Ancient Wisdom |
Entertainments & Activities area |
|
1.30 |
Classical Greek warriors |
The Hoplite Association |
Battlefield |
|
|
1880s Indian Raj equestrian show |
Skinners’ Horse |
Arena |
|
|
Tudor skills-at-arms |
The Tudor Group |
Mini Arena |
|
2 |
Napoleonic skirmish |
The Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards 1815, 2nd (Queens) Regiment of Foot, 2nd Battalion 95th Rifles and 62eme Regiment d’infanterie de Ligne |
Battlefield |
|
|
Vietnam Firebase – US howitzer firings. |
Rolling Thunder |
Arena |
|
|
Early C16th German mercenaries |
Fahnlein Uri |
Mini arena |
|
|
Mr Punch versus Adolf Hitler |
Ancient Wisdom |
Entertainments & Activities area |
|
2.30 |
The last rebels – Confederate soldiers and “bushwackers”, spring 1865 |
The American Eagle Society |
Battlefield |
|
|
English Civil War battle |
The English Civil War Society |
Arena |
|
|
All about WWII make do and mend |
Hands on History |
Hands on History marquee |
|
|
Roman themed kids’ workshop |
Robin Price, author of Spartapuss |
Mogzilla tent, historic market |
|
2.45 |
Roman fashion, arms & armour and combat |
The Vicus |
Mini Arena |
|
3 |
French & Indian Wars skirmish |
New France & Old England, with Lace Wars |
Battlefield |
|
|
Medieval combat |
The Albini household |
Arena |
|
|
Alefreck the Brave |
Dragons of Wye-ten Puppet Theatre |
Entertainments & Activities area |
|
|
Gunfight at the O.K. Coral |
The Wyoming Wild Bunch |
Wild West encampment |
|
3.15 (Sat only) |
Lancaster bomber flypast |
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight |
Overhead |
|
3.30 |
Victorian Redcoats |
The Die Hard Company |
Battlefield |
|
|
Medieval jousting and skills-at-arms |
Hellequinn |
Arena |
|
|
American War of Independence cannon drill |
The Association of Crown Forces 1776 |
Mini Arena |
|
|
Man on the Moon |
Ancient Wisdom |
Entertainments & Activities area |
|
4 |
WWII battle |
The World War Two Living History Association |
Battlefield |
|
|
Meet Polish Winged Hussars |
Warhorse |
Arena |
|
|
Tudor skills-at-arms (including sharp blades!) |
The Tudor Group |
Mini Arena |
|
4.05 (Sun only) |
Dakota, Spitfire and Hurricane flypasts |
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight |
Overhead |
|
4.20 |
American Civil War battle |
The Southern Skirmish Association |
Battlefield |
|
|
Living history continues |
All |
All areas |
|
5 |
Event ends |
All |
All areas |
Ongoing displays and activities
In addition to the timed displays above, don’t miss the extensive living history displays, from most of the above groups plus:
Catapult games and have a go archery (a small fee applies), in the Entertainments & Activities
In addition to enjoying the huge array of living history and arena based displays, you can browse through the wares offered by first class historical traders, within their tented historical market. Fascinating, absorbing and full of superb reproduction and other items you won't readily find in the shops, including pottery, leather goods, ironware, glassware, muskets, swords, bows and arrows, furs, jewellery, cloth, buttons, hats, uniforms, plus gifts, rocks and crystals, children's toys, games and dressing up sets, books, DVDs and even an opportunity to put on period costume for a family portrait.
Historical traders are invited to click for details of trading opportunities at this and other EventPlan shows
Admission prices
At £10 Adult and £5 child, its a bargain day out to a great show!
Important Health and Safety information – please note
· In the unlikely event of an emergency, please stay calm and follow instructions given over public address systems and by stewards.
· Historical displays can be dangerous. They can feature real weaponry and explosions! Do not cross tape barriers at any time unless invited to as part of a “have a go” activity!
· Battles and skirmishes can be noisy so you may wish to move small children and pets away from arenas during these displays. Keep dogs on a lead at all times.
· Stand well clear of the horses, which although friendly can kick and bite!
· All children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
· Take care not to trip, slip or fall on site. Beware of uneven ground and tent guy lines.
· Keep clear of camp fires. These are real and often cooking hot food. Don’t touch!
· Do not - and do not let your children - pick anything up in the living history areas unless specifically invited to do so by the re-enactors. The weapons and cooking knives are real and can be dangerous in untrained hands!
· Do not discard burning cigarettes if the ground is dry.
· Litter can kill the animals that live and graze here – please take all your litter home.
· Please beware of moving vehicles, in the car park and within C20th living history areas.
Broadlands is on the A3090 Romsey by-pass, ½ mile from Romsey town centre. The M27 motorway runs 3 miles from Broadlands providing excellent motorway and trunk road links in all directions - Central London is only 2 hours from Broadlands via the M3 and M27 motorways. Drivers should leave the M27 motorway at Junction 3 if approaching from the North and East, or Junction 2 if approaching from the West, and follow the signs to Broadlands.
A brief history of re-enactment
Interested in how and why re-enactment has become so popular in recent years? Click on the link to read a history of re-enactment.
Other events 2010
Click here for details of many other historical events organised by EventPlan during 2010.
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Updated 4 August 2010