Smugglers, pirates and medieval fun in Midhurst

DM16114063a.jpg Medieval Midhurst tourist event. Marek Klem of the Raven Tor living history group with James Bryant 1 and his sister Emilia 7.Photo by Derek Martin SUS-160430-214409008

On the special travel itinerary was a visit to Medieval Midhurst around the Market Square and inside the parish church and down at the Cowdray Ruins visitors were journeying back to the Georgian period.

Midhurst photographer Michael Chevis hosted his third Medieval Midhurst weekend on Saturday and Sunday with spectacular combat displays, a demonstration by the Bowmen of Petersfield on the slopes of St Ann’s Hill and a host of medieval peddlers and artisans demonstrating their wares around the square.

There were replica costumes, talks on medieval food, medieval drumming and a chance to learn about the use of medieval herbs.

DM16114051a.jpg Medieval Midhurst tourist event. Paul Ulson doing medieval style handwriting. Photo by Derek Martin SUS-160430-214344008

Michael came up with the idea of Medieval Midhurst in 2014 and with the help of rural towns co-ordinator Melanie Burgoyne and South Downs National Park area manager Bruce Middleton, as well as funding from Chichester District Council and the park, the event has grown.

“The idea was to promote the town,” said Michael, “and get the town square up and running to be used as it should be used as a local gathering point and I felt this was a good colourful, interesting and educational event.”

He said he would welcome sponsorship from businesses or individuals next year to help pay for the specialists entertainers at the event.

This year Peter and Gill Nightingale from the town’s museum sponsored a talk by a Long Bow specialist.

DM16114041a.jpg Medieval Midhurst tourist event. Mike Betteridge, archer. Photo by Derek Martin SUS-160430-214331008

At the Cowdray Ruins on Bank Holiday Monday there were some unusual visitors including the crew of The Mermaid, 18th century smugglers, pirates, and ne’er do wells alias members of the Raven Tor Living History Group who were invited by the Cowdray Estate to portray crafts, weapons and costume from the late Georgian period.

They brought history to life for the visitors to the Ruins.

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DM16114025a.jpg Medieval Midhurst tourist event. Georgina Hughes demonstrating Nal Binding, an early kind of knitting. Photo by Derek Martin SUS-160430-214318008

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