Ribchester II
Saturday 9th July 2005

Report & Photo's © Phil B

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Carvings at the entrance to the sport's field.

The number of people attending was the marked difference between this second Ribchester meet by the North West Forum Friends and the original 2003 Meet. Nine of us were prepared for the days events in and around the site of the Roman Fort of BREMETENACUM and once again the weather was very warm to say the least.

The day started, as it did last time around,with the walk to the village outskirts to see the Almshouses at Stydd. The Almshouses were endowed by a John Shireburn in 1726 for five persons, Roman Catholic widows or spinsters, to live separately with coals and allowances. Until recently these terms were strictly adhered to. Indeed they looked rather in need of a bit of maintainence and one couldn't help but feel that if the rules were still in place the present incumbents would ensure they'd look better.

It was then onto Stydd Chapel. Originally built in 1136 by the Knights Hospitallers of Wakefield it was endowed with 11 farms. It has a Norman doorway and windows on the north side and the south doorway is Early English with waterleaf on the capitals. Inside is a Jacobean pulpit with the remains of a canopy and there are also some rough oak benches against the wall. The chapel was restored in 1925 and is also undergoing restoration work in 2005 which was encouraging to see.

	Stydd Chapel		Cross Base

	Chancel Screen(?)		The Ceiling		The Carved Font

	Oak door with Iron Studs		Chancel screen with Pulpit behind		Lancet Window

The party then walked back to the village to see the Roman Bath-house. In the photo layout below I have tried to match up the view with what you would see if you were stood at each point of the plan.

Click on the signs for a large version

			Lunch was had in a local hostelry called the White Bull. This in itself has Roman connotations as the four pillars at the front are purported to be from the Roman Fort although the building itself is 17thC. Next to the columns is a mounting block used to aid patrons in getting on their horse in times past. After studying the menu decisions were made and food ordered - although it was a surprise that nobody ordered the Roman Special on the board - Dormice! (Altho' those on offer were spelt differently)

Our agenda for the afternoon started with a visit to the museum. Ribchester's museum was re-opened in 2002 after a refit and had changed little from two years ago. One point to note was the humidifier had been replaced with another hypocaust pile! Admission had increased by 50p but at £2.50 it is still a reasonable entry cost. From the museum we called at the Granaries and made sure that at least one photo was taken. It's funny really but they looked a little more substantial this time round.

		Two views of the Granaries.			Click on the sign for a large version

With the start time of the next show rapidly approaching it was agreed that we would call at the church later, so off to the field we went.
This was the tenth year that the Roman re-enactment group, LEGIO SECUNDA AUGUSTA, had come to Ribchester. After paying a small fee for admission we were able to look at the displays and suchlike along the perimeter and there actually seemed to be more present this time around than last. Various tents and small buildings held a variety of things from a Surgeons tent to what could only be described as a Fast-food joint!





It wasn't long before the display started and it was the Orator who opened proceedings this time round. It must be said that he was particularly noticeable this time round in that his nose was very Roman-like and as his speech progressed there was an increased likelihood he would shout "Fwee Wodewick!". Is it something about Latin speakers that makes them sound this way??


After the Orator we had the Legionary soldiers and the Auxilliary's march onto the display area. One of their number then went through the various differnt ranks and items of uniform that each wore. After this there was a display of marching with instructions in Latin and the finishing flourish was the weapons. One fired a bolt and the other fired a stone ball (but in the interest of safety an onion was used!). After the firing was over the Soldiers gave a salute and proceeded to leave the field.

	The Soldiers initial formations upon entering the field

	The Immunis		The Principalis		The Centurio		The Standard Bearer

		Swearing allegiance

	Firing the Weapons

	The Bolt Firing Ballista

	The Ball or 'Onion' Firing Ballista

	The Final Salute

It was 5pm before we returned to the car park and after a brief sojourn we all said our goodbyes and went our separate ways. Yet another wonderful meet for the NWFF and at least this time the weather in Ribchester was more bearable.

There now follows a selection of photo's of the people who went on this trip. Those of a nervous disposition please look away now.

	Fish & Chris(p's!!)		Wot U lookin' at??		"Wig Wam Bam"		Yes children, it's a tree

	No humus, you look nothing like a Dalek		Okay, who can do a rabbit??		Aw go on, this piece of gum to lie in the coffin...please?

	melter, Chris and Sue watch as Little'un takes a drink		The lunchbell rings and they're off!!

	Deja vu??		It's behind you Chris		At the third sunstroke the time will be...		"Where did you get that hat?"

	humus shows his darker side to young Deano		Sue's dismay show's as she realises someone's forgotton the picnic basket

	Now who's had the Communion Wine?		The Group takes a breather

	The Usual Suspects