I loved using the Historyfile series , the best aspect was that they recreated the characters, rather like reenactment, giving life and personality. I am lucky in that I currently work with two reenactment groups: The Newcastle Garrison Living History Group, and The Time Bandits Living History Group.

My latest collaboration with The Newcastle Garrison Living History Group, can be seen in the report on The Great Civil War in The Tees Valley

I have worked with The Time Bandits Living History Group  since 2005, when John Sadler spoke to The Durham Branch of the Historical Association, he was speaking on The Border Reivers, but was dressed as a Great War Highlander, making a lasting impression on me (and a number of our rather elderly members) as he swung the claymore about as he spoke. Both John and Rosie Serdiville became regular speakers to the branch, usually headlining in our annual Christmas buffet.

Time Bandits are a group of local historians who use costume, drama and comedy to educate and entertain.  We cover a wide range of periods from the Stone Age to the 1970’s and work with all age ranges.   We are currently involved in preparing fun online history sessions for families doing home schooling but we’re always happy to come up with a tailor made package for special occasions.  

You can contact them at  timebanditsuk@gmail.com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TimeBanditsLivingHistory/

My eldest in Year Four he has just begun to study The Anglo-Saxons and The Vikings, living where we do gives us fantastic opportunities for local History studies. He has already visited Jarrow Hall  or Bedes’s World,  I still  find myself using it’s old title.

Ceasing the opportunity, using the Peaham2000 time travelling app  we have managed to arrange for JJ to interview Hild, Abbess of Whitby. Click on the images below to see the recording. sadly Youtube stipulated that it must be in two parts.

 

 

Hild of Whitby (614–680) is a Saint, she was the founding Abbess of the monastery at Whitby. The Double Monastery became so renowned that it was chosen as the venue for the Synod of Whitby; where the disputes between Celtic and Roman Christianity in Britain was discussed and some resolved. Hild is seen as an important figure in Anglo-Saxon England, she is recognised mostly  for the wisdom of her advice.

JJ researched Hild, with some guidance, then drew up the questions himself, the recording of the interview was  May 2020/May 680

A special thank you to Rosie Serdiville, from The Time Bandits, for being so supportive.