Battle For Black Cat Medieval Festival and Market Re-enactors Warning Orders

Hear ye, hear ye, hear ye,

Swindon's own Medieval Festival and Market is nearly here. Battle For Black Cat is about to begin.

I hope you are as excited as we are to be taking part in what we hope is the best year yet.

We are truly proud that you have joined our re-enactment team and we hope that leave us with great memories and a smile from enjoying a great weekend.

Please read the following warning orders and ensure all members of your household or club are aware of these rules.

Site Plan

To help you navigate the site and set up please see a handy view of the site for the weekend.

Re-enactors Event Timetable

Battlefield Time Table

The battle will commence at 4pm. Muster will be at 3:30pm and we ask all combatants to be at muster by 3:45pm at the latest for weapons check and briefing.

Contacting Event Team

During Event Hours - 9am-5pm - Please use the walkie talkie that will be held at the entrance desk to contact event organisers. The event team will be visible throughout the event.

Out of Hours - 5pm-10am - Out of hours a event team member will be on call. Please dial 07985 288454.

Please reserve calling this number unless it is an emergency.

Insurance

Each group or individual must have appropriate insurance for the activities they do.

Each group or individual must provide a copy of their current Public Liability insurance before attending. If you are insured as individuals rather than as a group, the group leader must provide a schedule of policy numbers for members and confirm that everyone attending is covered.

Please have a copy of insurance policies to hand as required.

Risk Statement Regarding Battlefield and Contact Fighting

It shall be the responsibility of each participant to ensure as far as reasonably practical that the Health and Safety and Welfare of Themselves, Fellow Participants and Members Of The Public is maintained at all times throughout the event.

All participants shall be aware there is a risk of personal bodily injury involved in Contact Based Re-enactment. By entering into Tournaments, Battle and other forms of Contact activities each participant accepts personal risk for themselves and hold no responsibility to the event, event organisers or fellow re-enactors in the event of a personal injury.

Commanders Meeting

A commander from each household that is taking part in the battle re-enactment must attend the Commanders meeting.

During this meeting details of the battle will be discussed, safety announcements and any concerns are to be addressed.

If any problems or concerns arise from conduct on the battlefield that cannot wait until the following day's commanders meeting, please ensure this is communicated to your household commander and raised with either Chris Fox or John Mackney as soon as possible.

Please do not approach other households or individuals regarding conduct issues and leave this up to the event team to address.

In the unlikely event of serious misconduct or unsafe behaviour final action will be decided by the event team.

Weapons and Equipment

It is the responsibility of the commander for each household to check the safety and condition of all weapons, bows and equipment being used on the battlefield.

This includes checking weapons for burs, chips and sharp edges. Please ensure all weapons and equipment is safe and suitable for use on the battlefield.

Pre battlefield weapon checks will also be conducted by martials, any weapons deemed unsafe by a martial, must not be taken into the battlefield.

Use of Maces and Flails

Under no circumstances must a mace or a flail be brought onto the battlefield. These weapons are not permitted to be used in combat under any circumstances. Possession of these weapons found during muster the owner/ user will be asked to surrender the item to a martial or return it to their camp. Anyone found in possession of these items on the battlefield, even for decorative purposes will be removed from the battle for the duration.

Exception Apply if a mace head is used as a butt stop or counterweight at the end of a pole weapon, under no circumstances must this be used in combat as a bludgeoning weapon and anyone doing so will be removed from the battlefield for the duration.

Battlefield Competency

In order to safely take the field and partake in simulated combat all participants will be expected to have a basic level of competency. This competency includes but is not limited too: Safe use of weapons chosen to use on the battlefield, safe use of shields and armour, understanding and demonstrating safe practices to maintain the safety of themselves and other participants, follow all commands given to them by martials and the battle organisers and insuring the safety of the public.

Although there is no recognised standard to measure competency it is deemed the responsibility of the attending club or group to uphold competency standards, individuals must also be able to explain how they meet competency levels if requested by the event team. This may include training undertaken privately or experience at other battles and events.

A refresher competency will be available at the event, please speak to the event organisers to find out how you can take this refresher.

If you are asked to leave the battlefield due to unsafe practice on the Saturday you must take this refresher on the Sunday and be deemed competent before being permitted to take the field on the Sunday.

If you have a concern regarding an individual or a groups competency please address this in private with the event team and not raise it in the public setting of the commanders meeting or address it directly with the individual or club directly and bring this to the attention of the event team, they will address this with the individual or group.

Battlefield and Competition Arrows

Only arrows provided by the event team will be permitted on the battlefield and to be used in the archery competition.

No personal arrows are permitted to be used on the battlefield or competition.

Please ensure risk statement is understood before attending the battle.

Archers Competency

All archers must pass competency to be permitted to take part in the battle.

Competency will take place Saturday and Sunday at 11am. If an archer passes competency on the Saturday they will be deemed competent for the duration of the event and are not required to retake it again on the Sunday.

If an archer fails competency on the Saturday they may retake competency again on the Sunday.

No archer may take to the battlefield without passing competency.

When competency is passed you will be provided with a ribbon that must be attached to your bow to prove you have successfully passed competency. If this ribbon is lossed or damaged please speak to one of the Black Cat team.

Archery Range

Black Cat Archery operates a fully functioning outdoor archery range and woodland archery course that can be used by reenactors before the hours of 09:30am and after the hours of 05:00pm.

The cost to use this service is £5 per person and is operated via a honesty box.

Unfortunately due to availability we are unable at this time to lease any equipment.

Archery Competition

If you wish to take part in the archery competition. Entry fee is £2 per person to enter. The Prize pot will be awarded to the winner as well as other prizes.

In the event of disqualification, entry fees are non refundable.

If you are taking part in the archery competition please ensure you are in the main arena by 11:am to register. Late arrivals may not be permitted to enter.

Archers may enter the archery competition without completing the archery competency, however if an archer is deemed unsafe or poses a danger to the public, other archers or themselves they may be disqualified and asked to leave the completion area.

Knights Tournament

If you wish to take part in the Knights Tournament. Entry fee is £2 per person to enter. The Prize pot will be awarded to the winner as well as other prizes.

In the event of disqualification, entry fees are non refundable.

If you are taking part in the Knights Tournament please ensure you are in the main arena by 11:30am with your entrance fee. Late arrivals may not be permitted to enter. The tournament will be limited to 16 combatants only and will be closed for entry once the capacity has been reached. Please speak to Spider or one of our team if you wish to entre the Knights Tournament.

Please ensure risk statement is understood before entering the Tournament.

Arrivals and Departures

The site is open for traders and re-enactors to arrive from 1pm on the Friday. A member of the team will be on site to direct you and provide any information you require.

If you are arriving on either the Saturday or Sunday morning we enforce a strict no vehicle movement policy between the hours of 9:30am until 5pm.

When departing please do not pack down your living history camp until 4pm and be mindful that members of the public may still be on site until 5pm so please take care when taking down shelters and tents.

There is to be no vehicle movement on the field until 5pm (unless in the event of an emergency).

Site Map

Living History Camp

Living history camps will be located in the blue semicircles. Please set up in the appropriate section with minimal space between your camp and your camp neighbours. Space is limited so please be mindful and respectful of space available. When you arrive you will be directed to your camps location.

Fires

Open fires are only permitted in the Living History Camps and Historical Market areas.

Absolutely no open fires are permitted in the modern camping area or in the modern Market areas.

Wood will not be provided unless you have purchased it from us before hand. You are welcome to bring your own firewood.

Current risk due to ongoing dry weather

As we have been experiencing ongoing dry weather there is a heightened risk from fire. Because of this if you have an open fire (in permitted areas only) you must ensure that it is supervised at all times. Any fire found unsupervised will be extinguished.

A full fire bucket must be within camp and the areas under and around fire pits and fire pits must be kept moist to avoid the risk from falling embers catching and spreading.

Please, please, please do not let fires burn out over night, fires must be completely out before being left overnight.

Fires are only permitted in the living history camps. No open fires to be lit in modern/ plastic camping areas.

Fires are permitted but these must be raised off the ground and precautions must be taken to avoid scorching the grass (dampened boards beneath the fire pits please).

Ashes must only be disposed of in the approved bins.

Please bring sufficient firewood for the duration of the event as we are unable to supply firewood.

Fire buckets will be placed around the site. In the event of a fire emergency please ensure you are aware of the location of your nearest fire point. In the event of an emergency please contact one of the event team.

Cooking using gas is permitted in modern camping areas.

Plastic / Modern Camping

A modern camping area has been set up for traders and re-enactors if required.

No open fires are permitted within the modern camping area at any time.

This area is accessible for Tents, Caravans and Motor Homes.

Please ensure that your camp is set up within the marked areas. For Fire, Access and Health & Safety reasons please do not exceed the stated boundaries that will be marked out on the ground. If for some reason you need additional space please speak to one of our team.

Any camp that is blocking an access path may be asked to relocate.

Please be courteous towards your fellow campers.

First Aid

A first aid point is located on your site map. St John's is there to assist with any emergency situations involving visitors.

If either the event team or St John's first aid team is responding to an incident please let them manage the situation.

It is also a requirement that all re-enactment households have a designated first aider and a first aid kit they have access to.

Children and Animals

During the event and after show times there dangers and risks as well as horses and dangerous equipment. Please ensure that children are supervised at all times and Dogs remain on a leash at all times.

Safeguarding & Camp issues.

In the unlikely event there is an issue, concern or problem surrounding the conduct or behaviour of a Reenactor / Trader/ Member of Staff during the event this should be bought to the attention of event organiser. (All captains will have his mobile number) for him to take appropriate action.

This should be done as soon as possible and when safe to do so. We will discuss the concern with impacted parties, record all outcomes and interactions and action as we see appropriate.

If the actions of any member of a group bring their group, the event or others into disrepute they may be asked to leave the event and they may not be asked to return.

In the event of a safeguarding concern (actions, behaviour, comments or any situation that raises concerns relating to those under 18, vulnerable adults or an adults interaction with those under 18) these should be reported to the event team immediately.

Safeguarding concerns are treated with the highest level of severity and may require/ lead to police involvement.

Each group must adhere to their own safeguarding policies however the event team MUST be made aware of any concerns and these concerns will be dealt with by the event team in the appropriate manner.

Facilities

Water stations and toilets are strategically located around the event field as well as in the designated camping area. All water stations are drinking water safe.

Please ensure that toilet facilities are left in a clean and tidy manner. Please do not remove rolls of toilet paper from the toilets.

Rubbish and Waste

Please can we ask that any rubbish or waste your camp produces is taken away by you.

We have a small skip on site that is for public visitors waist only. We appreciate your support with managing your own waste removal.

Please can we ask that food waste and general waste is bagged separately and recycling takes place where appropriate.

Parking

Day parking and overnight parking is available.

Please do not park in Living History areas or in the plastic/ modern campsite unless you are sleeping in a motorhome in the plastic/ modern campsite.

Photography and Drones

By attending this event you give your permission for photos and video that may be captured to be used by the event organisers in on-line social media and advertising.

The use of drones is prohibited unless prior agreement has been authorised by the event team.

We look forward to seeing you soon and if you have any questions please don't hesitate to email us or any problems or questions on the day please speak to either:

John Mackney

Chris Fox

Many thanks

B4BC Team