The Abbey Medieval Festival

We are at the 24th Abbey Medieval festival.
Surrounded by the middle ages.  Steeped in workplace health and safety.  I enjoyed the knights storming the castle complete with safety goggles.
The day begins with checking the fuel level in the generators and the wiring of the PA systems.
A grand parade where local politicians make pronouncements. I enjoyed the MC's introduction where he explained that they had captured the politician. the poli sensibly have a very short speech and declared the day started.
All mannor of reenactment groups set up camp here.  They dress in period costume and sheep in old fashioned tents.  No rip stop nylon in 1500.  it looks like these people have a lot of fun and that they develop some close friendships.  Very communal.
Mind you I sense a problem wirh the medieval economy.  There are a lot of Lords and Ladies.  Knights in shiny armour. There are priests and clergy but as far as I can see no surfs, slaves, unemployed starving dogs bodies.  Perhaps our current political masters should investigate how to run such an economy.
Opening cerimony

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.Dan and Jemma in the foreground.  Derek in the tent running the PA system.

Back stage

Some kid had a bit of a fit and suddenly this Medieval lady produced a two way radio.  A thousand years before it was invented.  Mind you the speaker stacks in the back ground seem equally out of time.