Strong Orchard Skirmish

Strong Orchard Skirmish is the newest HEMA sparring and social event. Hosted by Wardens of the Tor a HEMA club from Plymouth in the South West of England, this event will take place at the Strong Orchard kindly enabled by the beautiful family run and award winning Dorset Nectar Cider and Windward Brewery. The event will take place across two days and will feature pitched battles and team games, involving large scale line battles with synthetic weapons and shields in full HEMA gear. Games will include: Battle Lines! Team death match style pitched battle between two armies, limited lives, the team with the last fighters standing wins. Capture the flag! Teams will fight over two flags representing an age old HEMA faction rivalry to settle the dispute... Probably. Siege! Fight over a small fortification. endless waves of attackers on respawn rules will try to kill all the defenders who have limited lives. Can they hold out? Defenders join the attackers upon death swelling their numbers. Teams swap sides after each round. Lunch! Purchase fine food from Oliver's kitchen, order in or cook for yourselves! A friendly tournament will be organised for all who wish to take part. The tourney shall be steel longsword with a casual rule set, the finalists from which will compete in a deed of arms! Each pair will do battle in three separate weapon classes, spear, weapon and shield then finally longsword once more. Medals and prizes to the victors, sponsored by the HEMA shop! Free sparring will be an option throughout the event with allocated times in the evening on Saturday and Sunday. Exact timetabling will be announced nearer to the event. The Orchard boasts full camping facilities including showers and toilets. A bar where one can purchase all manner of hot and cold drinks of the soft and alcoholic variety. Fire wood and fire pits will be available though we recommend you bring your own fire bowl and wood if you can. Saturday evening will see the orchard become a live music venue as the local band Simply Chaos plays a set, so you can grab a drink, visit Oliver's kitchen for a meal and relax until late. Strong Orchard is located a short drive from many large supermarkets and there is even a local pub in walking distance if you want to stretch your legs and a change in scenery. Though with the orchard being 15 acres and having all the facilities one might want for a social event you may never want to leave! Bring a tent and all appropriate camping gear for a warm summer, your HEMA kit and your selves! I look forward to seeing you all there. I promise an awesome weekend. Stay safe on the path. Joshua Strong-Yates Atreides HEMA