It might help to answer your question if you would define "educational benefit" in the context that you are using it. Transferable skills is one "benefit", which is why teachers like plenty of hands-on activities for younger children, to improve motor and hand-eye co-ordination s...

I and many others have been doing Living History school visits for 20+ years now. The in school day has value for preparation before a visit to a historic. It can also act as a substitute where there is no appropriate historic site within easy travelling distance of a particular school. With no trav...

Not long to go now to this year's MMITD, looking forward to it. Just to say that despite the damage done by the recent cloudburst, Wensleydale is still very much open to visitors so do support this event if possible.

The helmet looks as though it has a fitting for a nasal guard, suggesting the rim and visor are subsequent additions.

I was going to recommend John Boddy at Boroughbridge but a Google search shows the business was taken over and then shut down. However, the Google results also have a range of alternative suggestions for suppliers of oak, in particular.

Rent a Peasant is down sizing too. There's a clay oven, spit, grid iron and cauldron looking for new homes. NE England.

Just a follow up query for Brother Ranulf. How did John Lydgate spend so much time in the secular world? I understood he was a monk but he was a prolific author of secular works. I was involved in a production of Lydgate's Disguising at Hertford many years ago, written for the court of the young Hen...

Out of interest, how likely is it that your sword would get stolen? I have a lot of valuable kit but it's not the sort of stuff that can be sold down the pub, so I've never had any bother. I keep a lot of kit that's not used regularly in the attic. On top, or at the back of, a wardrobe might be good...

Looking forward to some retail therapy at the Viking markets on Saturday. I don't actually need anything, but one cannot have too many brooches, drop spindles and other small, pretty, shiny objects.
Anyone else going as a MOP?

I'm in Co. Durham so, out of interest, whereabouts in N. Yorks are you and where do you go dancing? I'm learning Playford dances with an English Folk Dance group. There was talk of a Playford Ball last summer but there wasn't enough interest for it to be viable. A costume Playford Ball is on my Buck...

Two options in the general NE England area. One is the ropeworks at Hawes, very friendly & helpful people. The other is the chap who makes halters with public participation at Masham Sheep Fair. His polypropylene halters are brilliant but I'm sure he could make this with natural fibre rope. Can'...

There's been a slight increase in spam getting through the filters on my email but nothing that isn't blindingly obvious and instantly deleted. If Paul Murphy is so keen on destroying this forum, would he care to recommend an alternative that does not involve Zuckerberg/ Facebook in any incarnation?...

Jorge Kelman, who used to post here as Gregory23b, still makes quill pens for school use as he buys the goose quill feathers from me. Find an old post by him and try a PM. If that gets no response, PM me and I'll give you his email address. I've plenty of quill feathers in stock @ 50p each, if you w...

It would be very helpful if traders who are going to be attending this event could inform us where they are likely to be situated. Couldn't find people/things I was looking for in Feb only to be told afterwards they were in another venue, not the unsatisfactory marquees with queues to get in and a c...

Sunday 11th November.
Tow Law Millennium Green 6pm (Co. Durham, NE England)
Band, Beacon, Readings, Names of Fallen
All Welcome

If you're really keen, there's a piper with fire engine & crew at the War Memorial 6am, proceeding down the main street, A68, to the War Graves in the cemetery.

Excellent news. Since you're booking Living History, will there be any objection to MOP in appropriate costume? Unsurprisingly, I was much warmer & more comfortable this year in costume than the previous year in modern clothes. Liked the deposit bar glasses with MMITD logo this year, and the opt...

This is an event that could do with more reminders on this forum. I went in costume this year, as a MOP, on the Sunday and spent a very happy afternoon between the bar and other free performance areas, listening to superb musicians with no electronic gadgetry playing period music in a castle and hap...

Have you thought of using an old charity shop sheepskin coat for this job?
I'm sure I've got one tucked away in the attic and could cut out relevant sized piece, price to be decided, if you can give the dimensions required.

I think you answered your question in your last sentence. I find I do each garment differently as there just seems to be a natural way to go, depending on the cloth and the garment being made. I was very heartened to see in the "Bumper Book of Vikings" aka the Haithabu/Hedeby site report, ...

I'm happy to talk to MOPS if they initiate the interaction, on an Enquire Within basis. What I don't do, because I don't like being on the receiving end, is the Ancient Mariner approach.
I have eyes to see and a civil tongue in my head, so I expect the same from my audience.

Definitely still twitching, both in the alive and bird watching senses. I have a quick browse through the topics daily, though I rarely log in. I've never engaged with Facebook & given the recent revelations about the mis-use of Facebook data, I'm very glad I haven't. So, this site is still a va...

The geese are moulting so I have fresh primary and secondary quill feathers suitable for pens, fletching, textile tools and all other historic uses of such feathers. Suggest 50p each but open to negotiation for bulk order.

Music and dance seem to be lacking.

I've got at least one I could sell. Please PM for details.

I would like to attend a Playford Ball being proposed for 17th August near Durham. The organisers would like participants in suitable costume and would like unattached ladies to provide themselves with gentlemen dancing partners. They explicitly do not want women dancing together. If there is a gent...

With respect to the good Brother, plenty of smallholders during the "Good Life" revival of the'70's/80's tawed their own skins using the egg & alum method. They can be made very soft and supple, just needs plenty of elbow grease. I still use goat skins I tawed back in the day. If you a...

There'll be some re-enactors at the Morpeth Gathering April 6th-8th. I believe Time Bandits from Newcastle are running the battle on Sat & Sun but there'll be musicians and costume living historians too.

If all else fails, I've one for hire. Green wool lined with dark green linen. Flower pot henin head dress in matching green with black. Dress is free size. Belt might need extra holes punched through. If you're interested I'll try & find camera for photos.

Certainly not dirt common. They crop up fairly regularly in the specialist cookery booksellers catalogues. Give a shout if you put it on Ebay.

Thanks everyone, Gwen has now made contact with her dad.