Another great King Harold Day

Saturday’s King Harold Day was as good as last year - though many of the visitors and stallholders have said it was even better. The weather was kind to us for the sixth year running, although it was the coldest it has been, and got distinctly chilly towards the end of the afternoon.

The Household, a living history re-enactment group representing the Norman period, performed twice in the Arena. As their spokeswoman said in the commentary, “We are the wicked Normans and we have come to take over your little country.”

The Grinnigogs, a band of medieval musicians and performers, were as popular as last year, putting on a great show, with lots of audience participation. Our local group, Chingford Morris Men, danced and performed The Mummers’ Play.

A highlight of the day, much appreciated and photographed by everyone, was The Black Raven Knight and his trusty horse. The beautiful black horse, called Beau, was so well behaved, standing patiently while being admired by children. Beau is an experienced film and television performer, so is well used to crowds.

Epping Archers - with Have-a-Go Archery - had queues all day. Ray Sears said he has never had so much interest shown in his Photographic Collection of old Waltham Abbey. Waltham Abbey Historical Society were also well patronized; their Chairman, Chris Sumner, presiding benignly dressed as a monk, and frequently saying “Bless you my child”.

There were two lots of small animals. Lee Valley Park Farms brought a number, including rabbits, chickens and goats; and local resident, Jenny, brought her birds, squirrels, etc. Both lots had crowds round them all day, but were careful to warn that hand washing was necessary after touching the animals.

Everyone marvelled at the bees from Pebadale Apiaries in an observation hive. The two brightly painted traditional carts, pulled by magnificent heavy horses, were up and down the path by the stream all day, giving rides.

In the Craft Marquee, all the stalls were well attended, with crowds of children - and some adults - making clay animals as shown by Sally Macpherson, and willow crowns, taught by Lynn Saunders. Lynn’s attendance was kindly sponsored by the Community Development Department of Epping Forest District Council.

The Abbey Church had lots of visitors. Grenville Weltch led two tours of the Abbey, both with maximum numbers. People were keen to climb to the top of the Tower, and the bells rang out. Barbara Utting’s bread-making attracted a lot of attention.

Artwork by Waltham Abbey’s Schools was on display in the Lady Chapel, with the theme of “The Vikings and Norse Legends”. Schools taking part were Leverton Infant & Nursery; Leverton Junior; Waltham Holy Cross Junior; Hillhouse Primary; and Upshire Primary. Between them they put on a grand show of models of Viking longboats, Viking shields and helmets, and mosaic panels showing Norse gods and goddesses.

Lee Valley Regional Park had their Information Unit present, and their Schools and Youth team were providing children with drawing, colouring, making cardboard crowns, and cardboard door hangers. Again crowds were there all day.

Two very popular attractions were also arranged by Lee Valley Park. First there was the Community Scientist OPAL initiative, which gave people the chance to use microscopes to look at mosses and lichens from trees in the old Abbey Orchard. Then Hertfordshire Orchard Initiative provided an apple press and other equipment, which was actually worked by Lee Valley Park staff and volunteers. There were apples and pears to try, all from the old Abbey Orchard, and the apple juice and the pear juice produced by the press were outstanding - a quite different taste from that bought in cartons!

Face painting was as popular as ever, but so was the work of the Waltham Cross Detachment, Army Cadet Force, who painted horribly realistic wounds on children’s arms, legs and faces!

Kevin Bruton and the Red Squirrel Explorer Scouts, based in Waltham Abbey, built their medieval Trebuchet - a giant catapult - in the field behind the Abbey Church Centre, and used tennis balls as ammunition. The first idea of wet sponges was rejected as it was so cold! The trebuchet was a great attraction but sadly broke towards the end of the afternoon - just when the writer got time to have a look at it - and the pieces were packed away for another occasion.

The main highlights of the day were the Procession and Ceremony - At noon, the costumed performers and traders walked in procession from Epping Forest District Museum along Sun Street, through the Market Square and into the Abbey Churchyard, led by The Grinnigogs playing their medieval instruments, and by the Anglo Saxon Flag. Also walking in the procession were the special guests mentioned below at the Ceremony.

At the Harold Memorial Stone, a guard of honour was formed by the Waltham Cross Detachment, Army Cadet Force. A floral display was already on the Stone, donated by Abbey Flower Designs. Then fresh flowers were laid by our principal guests, the Vice Chairman of Epping Forest District Council, Cllr Mrs Anne Grigg, and the Mayor of Waltham Abbey, Cllr Ricki Gadsby, (who was accompanied by Mr Nick Gadsby). Mrs Eleanor Laing, Member of Parliament for Epping Forest, was also present. Then Chris Sumner, Chairman, laid flowers on behalf of Waltham Abbey Historical Society. For the second year running, an arrangement of the White Roses of Yorkshire was laid by Dave Giles, King Harold Day Vice Chairman, on behalf of Stamford Bridge Parish Council. Stamford Bridge, of course, being the battle which took place a couple of weeks before the Battle of Hastings, and in which Harold was victorious.

Afterwards the Rev’d Joyce Smith, from the Abbey Church, spoke in memory of King Harold and of present day Waltham Abbey. Then Steve Pollington spoke in the Old English language about another Anglo Saxon battle, that of Maldon.

Tricia Gurnett, Chairman of the King Harold Day Society, said, “Everyone seemed to have a great day, certainly all those taking part did. The King Harold Day Committee is grateful to all who came along and helped make the day so special. Our sincere appreciation goes to the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority and the Waltham Abbey Church for allowing us to use the beautiful Church and grounds, and to LVRPA again and to Waltham Abbey Town Council for their help and continued financial support. My personal thanks go to the King Harold Day Committee: Dave and Sheila Giles, Isabelle Perrichon, Paul Fury, Paul Parker, Danny Howley, Tony O’Connor and Nicola Jarmaine. Next year King Harold Day will be on Saturday 16^th October - put the date in your diary now!”