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Old Bedford Village |
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Tentative Information for Attendees
Billeting | Food Plans | Local Eateries | Event Schedule
Basically this is for general information and for our first timer event attendees at Old Bedford Village for the BN Grande Tactique.
Billeting All troops are assigned sleeping quarters by the billeting officer (Ken Hall). YOU will need to provide your personal sleeing gear.There is a tavern on the grounds that is open providing light
meals (soup, sandwiches, drinks), a bakery with bread and cookies
and a ice cream parlor. My unit, the 15th Hussars, brings 5-6 camp
followers who will make soup and bread for the mid day meal on both days,
for the entire encampment as a courtesy (plus helps keeping things on
schedule), plus morning coffee startng at 6:30 am. It is served out
of the Clouse House.
You are responsible for your own breakfast and dinner both days. Last year, because of weather conditions, the
ladies prepared a dinner in the Tavern on Saturday night for everyone and charged a small fee. Since our numbers are very much up from last year for this event (last count in the 60 +range)so that is not so pratical this year.
However the suggestion has been made that everyone
interested could bring a pot latch dish (covered or dutch oven-
enough to share) and we could do the same type of meal on Saturday evening
again. Unit commanders need to send me their input on this idea.
Additonally, if you are cooking your meals, most cabins have
fireplaces (or stoves- though heating them so you can cook on
them in July may make the cabin unbearable) and ground fire pits or
braizers are permitted.
If you are eating out, there are several standard resturants within a very short distance of the village (a mile or so). There are also two period dining establishments in the Bedford area. Jean Bonnet's Tavern, about 10 min. out of town on RT. 30 West, a 1750's Tavern, and The Golden Eagle located in downtown Bedford, again on RT 30 West. This building dates from 1812. Both love having reenactors in and neither require reservations.
Friday, July 11
9:00 am - 9:00 pm Registration at the Visitor's Center. After 7:00 pm – self registration.
Units proceed to assigned quarters. No vehicles are allowed in the Village between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm.
9:00 pm Officer/Unit Commanders/Civilian Representatives Call at the Clouse House (#8). Port and Cheese courtesy of 15th Hussars.Saturday, July 12
6:30 am Reveille in the Cavalry Camp.
Coffee available at the Shoop House (#10) for the encampment courtesy of Hussar Saddlery.
Cavalry conducts stable call. (Grain, water and groom).
7:00 am Reveille in the Infantry's Quarters
7:00 am – 8:30 am Breakfast in unit's quarters
8:30 am Morning reports due at Coalition/French HQs
9:00 am – 10:30 am Unit drillsCavalry – Mounted skill at arms demonstration – location to be announced.
Infantry - Light and Line demonstrations according to national drill – location to be announced.10:30 am Officers/Unit Commanders Call – Walk through for tactical. Meet in Village Square.
11:00 am – 11:30 am Morning tactical
12:00 noon – 1:00 pm Soup/bread available for the encampment at Shoop House (#10) courtesy of Hussar Saddlery.
1:00 pm Officers/ Unit Commanders Call – Walk through for tactical. Location to be announced.
1:30 pm Unit's form for Tactical and march to positions.
2:00 pm – 2:30 pm Tactical
3:00 pm Ladies' Tea
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm Soldier's Life in the Village – Fatigue details, pay call.
5:00 pm Village closes to the public
5:30 pm Brigade Napoleon Annual Meeting in Christ's Church
6:30 pm Dinner
8:00 pm Tavern Opens
Regency Dance on the Green behind the tavern. (Will be held inside if inclement weather.)Sunday, July 13
6:30 am Reveille in the Cavalry Camp.
Coffee available at the Shoop House (#10) for the encampment courtesy of Hussar Saddlery.
Cavalry conducts stable call. (Grain, water and groom).
7:00 am Reveille in the Infantry's Quarters
7:00 am –9:00 am Breakfast in unit's quarters
9:00 am Morning reports due at Coalition/French HQs
9:15 am Units form and march to the church for services.
9:30 am – 10:00 am Church service
10:00 am – 12:00 noon Unit drillsCavalry – Mounted skill at arms demonstration – location to be announced.
Infantry - Light and Line demonstrations according to national drill – location to be announced.12:00 noon – 1:00 pm Soup/bread available for the encampment at
Shoop House (#10) courtesy of Hussar Saddlery.
1:00 pm Officers/ Unit Commanders Call – Walk through for tactical. Location to be announced.
1:30 pm Unit's form for Tactical and march to positions.
2:00 pm – 2:30 pm Tactical
2:30 pm Final Parade through the Village.
Final Formation in Village Square. (Troops packed may depart).
3:00 pm Soldier's Life in the Village – Fatigue details.
3.30 pm Officer's Duel in Village Square.
5:00 pm Village closes to the public. Vehicles allowed in.
Units/individuals are welcomed to stay over until Monday. Please note, Village is closed to vehicles after 9:00 am on Monday.
Unit Commanders are responsible for inspection of their quarters
before leaving. Please see Event Coordinator or Provost before you
depart.
Quartering assignments will be posted at the registration table.
Note concerning furniture in the buildings. All housing has
furniture which is usable (EXCEPT THE BEDS
AND MATRESSES. THESE ARE EXTREMELY FRAGILE AND CANNOT BE USED).
Bring your own bedding and any additional camp furniture that you may
need. Please put all moved furniture back in place before you
leave. All quarters have working stoves or fireplaces. Be extremely
careful with fire, most of these houses date before the first quarter
of the 19th century. NO UNATTENDED FLAMES or candles left burning at
night.
Modern restrooms (no showers) are available both in the village and in the Visitor's Center.
Each unit must appoint a Safety Officer who will conduct individual
unit weapon inspections before taking the field. Designate this
individual on the morning report.
Two Provost Officers, designated by black arm bands, will be
appointed by the Event Coordinator. They will have full authority in
all camps.
Cavalry Specifics:
1. All horses must have a negative Coggins before being unloaded
at the site.
2. Cavalry needs to bring hay and grain. The horses will be on
picket line in the lower pasture when not being used. They will not
be free to graze.
3. When on the picket line, horses will be under guard. All
cavalry must be prepared to do guard rotation.
Civilian impressions – during public hours in the Village, civilians
will portray Saxon citizen from the town of Halle. Interaction with
the troops and the public is encouraged.
Medical Emergency – Report immediately to the Event Coordinator or
Provost. Medical kit will be in the Clouse House. Please note at
registration if you are medically qualified to assist.
I hope this answers most questions for first timers but if you have others or something you need to talk to me specifically about, don't hestitate to call me directly at call (330) 360-8640.