No different to any other hobby its not a life style its escapism if anything.Cries of "It's only a hobby" are just blinds. We all know it's not. It's a lifestyle
maybe because people in this country just dont have the spare cash and need to sell their expensive toysVehicles are being sold abroad
I would factor in a couple of reasonsOverseas trips are becoming more popular
1. The cost of cheap flights a weekend looking around europe on a jollys is roughly the same as a weekend battling at a private battle in the UK
2. The lack and loss of winter battles over the years groups have moved on and looked at other ways to fill in the winter months.
When i frst started out the american groups were the ones the Uk groups looked up to aspired too. then imho the UK scene overtook reenactment over the pond and a european reenactment was in its infancy due to laws or not something you talked about or reenacted etc etc now barriers are been taken down and the european groups i would say have over moved into pole position.
Didnt realise it was a competion or a pissing contest if you likeAnd at the moment I don't think we are winning
I would say Uk reenactment is very healthy at the moment more shows, some private battles overseas trips plenty of vendors offering better uniforms and equipment compared the the good old days of converted Swedish.
IMHO the only couple of downsides to the hobby in the UK presently are the fuel costs and the weapon hire costs