STEP BACK IN TIME

Smell, taste  and watch history later this month as a medieval camp is set up in the grounds of Spalding’s Ayscoughfee Hall.

History re-enactors Four and Twenty Blackbirds will travel back through the centuries as they pitch their tents and stoke up the fires for a weekend celebrating our medieval heritage.

The group will gather on the South Lawn on July 30-31 to give demonstrations of medieval food preparation in addition to displays of trades from a bygone era.

Members will use historically accurate reproduction equipment to re-create the flavours of the past and share their knowledge skills, and passion for food and feasting in times past.

The centrepiece of the operation is the travelling kitchen, which enables the group to produce a wonderful variety of tasty, authentic dishes, and  the banqueting display.

They will be spitting beef, pork and possibly venison while there are some hands-on activities including butter churning, bread-making  and boulting – the medieval  method of producing flour.

Away from the kitchen there’ll be wood-turning, weaving, sewing and a falconer demonstrating his skills.

Julia Gant, of Four and Twenty Blackbirds, said: “This is a chance for people to explore that particular time period through food and take part in a whole range of interactive activities.

“Food was prepared to the highest standards and good manners and etiquette while dining were also very important;  it was not a case of men throwing the leftover bones over their shoulders when they had finished with it.”

There are about 20 members of the group aged from12 up to the 60s whose mission is to bring history to life and prove that  medieval  cookery is delicious and nutritious.

Councillor Howard Johnson, South Holland District Council Portfolio Holder for Property and Assets, said:   “It’s one thing to pick up a history book and read about times gone by but it’s even better to see it acted out in front of your eyes. That’s what the medieval camp is all about because Four and 20 Blackbirds literally eat, sleep and drink history. It will be a fascinating and enjoyable weekend.”