central scotland living history show july 10th and 11th 2010

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simon
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Location: livingston(i presume)

central scotland living history show july 10th and 11th 2010

Post by simon »

okay folks fresh from a meeting with the site owners and show promoters i can confirm that this event is a go...its the very first event like this the guys are hosting so it would be good to have your input...ww2 area is now being organised/adminned by myself , contact details are available so shout up...

we are looking at...period camping within your displays (fire pits/campfires permitted)...access to plastic camping area and facilities...static display areas...public battle on both saturday and sunday...i have been assured of stalls on the day...we have a forties hairstylist available on site...dj on throughout the day...party by reenactors for reenactors with entertainment on the saturday night...the site has a tremendous amount of potential and with a bit of graft could well develop in future years into a nice sized show for the northern reenactment scene, which lets face it can only be a good thing right?

to top all this and more there is on site a purpose built, log reinforced, historically accurate trench system incorporating; two bunkers (third under construction), two man firing slits, fire steps, stepped and ladder exits, the whole trench including approach trench is approximately 85m. we do require some extra german troops to man the trench and participate in the battles. groups and/individuals welcome but we dont want to get overloaded so spaces will go on a first come first served basis, usual rules on PLI applicable. please contact me for booking info if you are interested.
Der Dachs mit Dudelsack
---------------
FJ 39-45
Fallschirmjaeger Ang'
geoffpara

Re: central scotland living history show july 10th and 11th 2010

Post by geoffpara »

For those not familiar with the area the post code for the event is ML7 5TG and just south of Junction 5 of the M8 that runs between Glasgow and Edinburgh.

This is a very large site and the more that want to attend the show there is the option to just open more land in the same way that the Victory Show could accommodate increasing numbers.

The site is set in just short of 1,000 acres over which we have an almost free rein. The nearest habitation is some way off consisting of isolated farmhouses so could make for some interesting night exercises at future events having fewer restrictions.

There is quite an extensive German WW2 trench system developing on-site at Harthill for use at this show and later on for private battles. Troop bunkers are being included which will be advantageous for battles based on either Eastern Front or the Ardennes scenarios as when its snows up here it snows! It’s quite normal for there to be four feet of snow lying across the site so for Axis, US, Russian and British groups it’s an opportunity to take part in Living history events in the real thing wearing your winter gear. I’ve been taking some pictures as the trench system from when it was started which I’ll add over the next few weeks to give you an idea of what it looked like originally and how it is developing.

Simon Martin (kretafj@yahoo.com) is liaising with the WW2 groups, and
Ann Curran (Ag as in the previous post) is dealing with the entertainment and general enquiries.

We have invited some veterans to attend, both British and German, and look forward to discussing trench-life with them based on their respective experiences either as Tommies of Landser. It would be nice to see more attend.

Geoff
geoffpara

Re: central scotland living history show july 10th and 11th 2010

Post by geoffpara »

Work started some weeks ago now with Simon being the foreman of works and the chief architect. The first step was to mark out where the trench lines were to go. Then, lacking the Kompanie-sized workforce to dig it for us we had the mechanical digger do the back-breaking work for us. These pictures give you an idea of the site in the immediate area of the trench.
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Now the right flank with Simon overlooking a troop bunker leading from the trench.
Now the right flank with Simon overlooking a troop bunker leading from the trench.
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Looking out towards the left flank of the trench system
Looking out towards the left flank of the trench system
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Last edited by geoffpara on Sun May 30, 2010 3:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.
geoffpara

Re: central scotland living history show july 10th and 11th 2010

Post by geoffpara »

A closer look showing depth. The buildings in the background are all part of the site and available to play in.
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Ross and Simon in a fire bay off of the main trench system.
Ross and Simon in a fire bay off of the main trench system.
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Young Ross posing...
Young Ross posing...
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On the left flank... watching the front
On the left flank... watching the front
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andy d
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Joined: Sun Oct 22, 2006 6:46 pm
Location: Glasgow

Re: central scotland living history show july 10th and 11th 2010

Post by andy d »

I have to say, that this site is shaping up to be a stunning piece of work.
A huge amount of effort has already gone into the trench, and day by day, you can see it coming together.
It is bloody huge!!
geoffpara

Re: central scotland living history show july 10th and 11th 2010

Post by geoffpara »

Having outlined and then dug the trench you can now see the stakes going in that will support the trench walls. This was a bit of a pig as we had originally hoped that the peat was quite deep which would have made driving in the stakes quick and easy... however, that was the plan but reality was a bit different. The solution we adopted was using a bracing bar to the bottom of both posts and buried below ground level.
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Looking more like Agincourt or Crecy than a German trench!
Looking more like Agincourt or Crecy than a German trench!
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geoffpara

Re: central scotland living history show july 10th and 11th 2010

Post by geoffpara »

We wanted something realistic, after all it is a German trench so no sandbags. Fortunately, Martyn, through his contacts, found a supplier for log cuttings at a reasonable price. In the last picture you can just about see the bracing wire to the posts that are pegged outwards to take the strain and make sure no collapsed walls. Fortunately we have an ex-R.Engineer and an ex-Assault Pioneer in the group so we had the practical experience between us all.
Attachments
Getting the wood to the trench
Getting the wood to the trench
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The start of nearly 200m of lining the trench walls... a lot of wood!
The start of nearly 200m of lining the trench walls... a lot of wood!
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Fire trench
Fire trench
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simon
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Joined: Tue Oct 24, 2006 7:56 am
Location: livingston(i presume)

Re: central scotland living history show july 10th and 11th 2010

Post by simon »

the trench itself is generating quite a bit of interest and the show details are well in the process of being finalised.
with booking-in forms coming in from all round we are looking to set a deadline of friday 2nd of july for receipt of completed booking in forms and a final deadline of wednesday 7th of july for final details of names and vehicle registrations to come in to myself via email or post...shout up if you need further contact details guys! thanks.
Der Dachs mit Dudelsack
---------------
FJ 39-45
Fallschirmjaeger Ang'
geoffpara

Re: central scotland living history show july 10th and 11th 2010

Post by geoffpara »

A few more of the trench system as it was developing.
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geoffpara

Re: central scotland living history show july 10th and 11th 2010

Post by geoffpara »

When you get into the trench at one end and walk through it the distance seems a lot longer than it does from when you are standing outside looking down.
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geoffpara

Re: central scotland living history show july 10th and 11th 2010

Post by geoffpara »

Some pics of the first bunker and before we applied additional internal bracing to support the pressure on the walls that will be applied once it is back-filled and overhead cover applied.
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Sean
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Re: central scotland living history show july 10th and 11th 2010

Post by Sean »

Just brilliant!
'Gott Mitt Uns' - Yeah mate, got mittens too
rik
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Re: central scotland living history show july 10th and 11th 2010

Post by rik »

that is one good trench system :)
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andy d
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Re: central scotland living history show july 10th and 11th 2010

Post by andy d »

For all the sun worshippers among you - you should come up when we are workign on the trench, cos it's bloody hot every time we go up.
More sunburnt flesh than an Ibiza girls weekend.
simon
Posts: 990
Joined: Tue Oct 24, 2006 7:56 am
Location: livingston(i presume)

Re: central scotland living history show july 10th and 11th 2010

Post by simon »

We have made a few concessions to modern living the external walls of the bunkers are covered in black tyvek type material to reduce dampness. The main bunker(not shown) and the dressing station will have bunks fitted. It's early days but we hope to extend this year-on-year and undertake other projects which should improve the site for private battles and weekend tactical events. I know it's not perfect but a lot of work has gone into it and your positive feedback lets us know we're on the right track :wink: 8)
Der Dachs mit Dudelsack
---------------
FJ 39-45
Fallschirmjaeger Ang'
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