Battle For Black Cat Medieval Festival & Market Traders Warning Orders

Hear ye, hear ye, hear ye, 

Swindon's own Medieval Festival and Market is nearly here. Battle For Black Cat Medieval Festival and Market 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 trading team and we hope that you leave us with your purses full of silver and a smile from enjoying a great weekend. 

Please read the following warning orders to help make your weekend a success.

Site Plan

To help you navigate the site while your with us please see a view of the site.

When you arrive one of our team will help you find a pitch to set up in the market square. There are close to facilities and will have good access for the public.

Setting up Stalls 

Stalls have been divided into modern and historical trade sections. When you arrive you will be directed to your pitch and where to set up. Please set up your stall with minimal space between your stall and your stall neighbour. 

It is the responsibility of the trader to ensure that the sale of items restricted by age by law is upheld by the individual trader.

Food and Drink

When you arrive you will be directed to your pitch and where to set up.

Please can we request that food waste and general waste is kept sperate and where possible waste is disposed of appropriately and recycled where possible.

It is the responsibility of the trader to ensure that the sale of items restricted by age by law is upheld by the individual trader.

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. 

Please arrive through the Black Cat Archery entrance gate and follow the driveway down to the event field.

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. Please ensure you arrive with sufficient time to set up your stall and have vehicle relocated to the carpark before the public arrive.

When departing please do not pack down your stall until 4pm at the earliest and be mindful that members of the public may still be on site until 5pm so please take care when taking down shelters, gazebo's and tents. 

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

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.

Rubbish and waste

Please can we ask that any rubbish or waste your stall 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 waist removal. 

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 or within the market area unless in the Living History or Historical Trading area.

The modern camping 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. 

Fires and Camp Cooking

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 bowls 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.

Cooking using gas is permitted in modern camping areas.

Parking 

Day parking and overnight parking is available in the assigned parking area. 

We ask that you do not park vans or cars behind your stall on the field unless it is critical to your stall or products.

Where possible please park in the designated parking area.

Security

Outside of show times the event will be off limits to the public. It is however the responsibility of the individual traders to ensure the safety and security of their stock and stall. If possible at night we would recommend locking items away in cars or vans where possible.

Neither the event or the event team takes any responsibility for lost, damaged or theft the could occur.

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 & Issues

In the unlikely event of any issues or concerns regarding members of the public, other traders, re-enactors or any other persons please bring this to the attention of the site staff. We will address any issues directly with impacted parties and resolve issues as quickly as possible.

If there are any safeguarding issues or concerns regarding any children under the age of 18 or vulnerable adults please bring this to the attention of our staff as soon as it is safe to do so.

In the event of serious action needing to be taken this may result in removal from site and being asked not to return or involvement from the police if required.

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 

Chris Berry 

Many thanks

BCB Team