Skirmish Magazine

17/01/2025

Check out this offer from for eating out this month!

Something worth shouting about this January, treat yourself with our fantastic offer. Buy 1 main meal and get 1 half price!

(Offer available Monday-Thursday all day throughout January. Cheapest meal half price. Management has the right to remove the offer at any time.)

13/12/2024

Ingenuity at it's best!

In 550 AD, the Byzantine Empire was desperate for silk, the must-have fabric of the era. But China had a firm grip on silk production, and the Persians weren’t making it easy to trade along the Silk Road. Emperor Justinian I decided to take matters into his own hands, hatching a daring plan to smuggle silk worms right out of China.

Two monks were sent on this undercover mission, armed with hollow walking sticks. Inside these sticks, they hid silk worms and mulberry leaves, managing to sneak past the Persian-controlled trade routes undetected. When they returned to the empire, those tiny stowaways laid the foundation for a homegrown silk industry.

This new silk production was a game-changer. The Byzantines no longer needed to import the expensive fabric, turning their own workshops into economic powerhouses. For the next 600 years, silk helped keep the empire's economy thriving, all thanks to some crafty monks and a handful of worms.

13/12/2024

The humble potato - who knew?

In 1787, France didn’t think much of potatoes. They were considered fit only for animals, and many people believed they were too hard for humans to digest. The French were skeptical of the crop, even though it was already a staple in other parts of Europe. At the time, many feared it could cause illness, and it was often seen as a lower-class food. But one man, a pharmacist named Antoine-Augustin Parmentier, knew the potato had more potential.

Parmentier wasn’t about to let these misconceptions stop him. To show people how valuable potatoes could be, he set up a two-acre farm to grow them. But he didn’t stop there—he also placed armed guards around the farm to make it seem like something very precious was being protected. The idea worked. People saw the guards and assumed the potatoes were worth stealing. So, they began sneaking in at night to take some, thinking they were getting something rare and important.

Thanks to this clever trick, the potato gained popularity, and over time, people began to see its true value as a food source. Parmentier’s actions helped change the perception of the potato in France, turning it into the common and nutritious crop we know today. His clever tactics showed how even a simple food could become a symbol of innovation and resourcefulness.

13/12/2024

The history of the Jamestown brewing industry started in the 17th Century

10/12/2024

Check out this advanced ticket offer - a great gift for the family, and a brilliant day out!

16/11/2024

Busy day at the Artisans and Reenactors Market today. See you all tomorrow between 10am and 5pm

14/11/2024

A NEW Sharpe series book has been written! Check out this post by the author!

1811. Cadiz is under siege – the last city standing in France’s conquest of Spain. Captain Richard Sharpe must navigate the spymasters and murderous factions within its walls – and see off deadly threats from more than one enemy.

SHARPE’S FURY (2006) is based on the real events of the winter of 1811 that led to the extraordinary victory of Barossa.

12/11/2024

If you are visiting both markets this weekend, be aware of this small diversion on the Fosse Way, just North of the Artisans and Reenactors Market

I have just been informed of a road closure if you are coming from the north/Coventry/Rugby area. If you put in the Artisan and Re-enactors Market in Google maps or Waze the diversion route is already in place.

𝐆𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞
We are conveniently located at the centre of the national motorway network with the M1, M6, M40, M42, M45 and M69 all within easy reach.

The venue is located on the junction of the A425 and B4455 Fosse Way.

The Visitor Entrance is off the Southam Road (A425). The postcode for this entrance is CV31 1FE.

The Fosse Way Entrance is for exhibitor use only (CV31 1XN). Please do not enter the site from this entrance as this is strictly for exhibitor use only and you will be turned around and asked to use the main road network to access the visitor car park from the clearly signed Southam Road Entrance.

Our venue directional signage will direct you to the visitor entrance when you approach the venue so please follow this and not your sat nav instructions when you arrive at the venue.

Drive times…
Birmingham – 45 minutes
London – 1 hour 30 minutes
Manchester – 1 hour 45 minutes
Liverpool – 2 hours
Bristol – 2 hours
Leeds – 2 hours 15 minutes

𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝟐,𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐯𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞 (𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐫 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐤).

𝐁𝐲 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧
The nearest train station is Leamington Spa with direct links from London and Birmingham available.

The venue is a 10 minute taxi ride or short bus journey from the station.

𝐁𝐲 𝐁𝐮𝐬
The WEC is serviced by the local Stagecoach bus service 63. Call Stagecoach on 0870 608 2608 for further details or see here to plan your journey.

From the railway station the nearest stop for route 63 is Leamington Parish Church which is a 5 minute walk from the station.

The nearest point to the WEC is the “Radford Semele/Fosse Way Roundabout”. This is at the bottom of the Radford Hill and from here it is a 5-10 minute walk to the venue. Please be aware this is alongside the Fosse Way which is a fast moving road with no footpath.

𝐁𝐲 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐞 (Just checking to see how many of you have read this far) 😀
Birmingham International, the largest airport in the Midlands, is only 30 minutes away with direct rail links to Birmingham, Coventry and Leamington Spa.

12/11/2024

Busy weekend coming up!

Packing the car ready for the weekend! Thursday evening I'll be marking out ready for 6:30am set up for the traders, sitemap and set up information has gone out to the traders. I think we are nearly good to go! With over 110 traders - record breaking year the most traders we have ever had.

Please share and spread the word for this wonderful market!

10/11/2024

We will be in our usual pitch next week at the Artisans and Reenactors Market . Lookout for our new banner, and pop in to ask about show offers.

10/11/2024

If you are a Film, theatre or TV production company needing historical authentic replicas for your latest historical or fantasy production, The Artisan and Re-enactors Market is the place to be! You can buy costumes/Material/Accessories, and all manner of Props and set dressing.

15/16/17th November 2024.

Warwickshire Event Centre - CV31 1FE.
Card and Cash accepted. Cashback also available along with receipts.

https://www.armarket.uk/trader-list/

Advanced tickets available now (ARM absorbs the booking fee so no extra charge to you)
https://www.armarket.uk/tickets/

09/11/2024

Come and find out about our future plans, and maybe pick up some past back issues. Check out www.skirmishmagazine.com

02/11/2024

There are a couple of trading pitches that have become available due to last minute health issues with a couple of people. If you want to find out more, email from the show website at https://www.armarket.uk/traders-application/

If you are a Film, theatre or TV production company needing historical authentic replicas for your latest historical or fantasy production, The Artisan and Re-enactors Market is the place to be! You can buy costumes/Material/Accessories, and all manner of Props and set dressing.

15/16/17th November 2024.

Warwickshire Event Centre - CV31 1FE.
Card and Cash accepted. Cashback also available along with receipts.

https://www.armarket.uk/trader-list/

Advanced tickets available now (ARM absorbs the booking fee so no extra charge to you)
https://www.armarket.uk/tickets/