Doing our bit for
Sharpe at Christmas

Napoleonic Newsdesk


The setting of Danesfield House Hotel on the leafy escarpments overlooking the Thames Valley between Marlow and Henley was the setting for one of the NA's more unusual events of the season. Carlton Home Entertainment were holding a presentation of their range of new video releases for Christmas to the leading UK retail video software buyers. Included in the range is of course a number of new Sharpe releases. And the NA were invited to provide the pre dinner entertainment. Stoneapple Productions were the Sponsor and our thanks to Chris Clarke of the Sharpe Appreciation Society for the original contact.

From around 3.00pm, in the pouring rain, various members of the team started to drift in (Why were we all so early?). Mike Crawshaw duly arrived, trailer in tow with the pyrotechnics and cannon on board. After we managed to get his car to start and park him in the right position he and Hamish Macleod went into a huddle and the plan was hatched. The spectacular gardens of the hotel were confirmed as the battlefield.

At 6.00pm it stopped raining and the French disappeared into the bushes leaving the Brits to parade on the terrace and give the conference delegates the benefit of their knowledge of the period. The 95th and 60th Rifles formed the vanguard of the British division (Well done chaps an excellent turn out) supported by a strong contingent from the 1st Footguards, the 9th Norfolk and other representatives from the Line Brigade.

At the duly appointed time (Having crept back unnoticed to their positions) the French Cannon opened up and the British Brigade excused themselves from the assembled company in order to "See off this temporary nuisance". The outnumbered, yet gallant French forces led by the 45th and 46th ably supported by members of the Chasseurs in artillery mode, then advanced on the British Line. The Rifles fought their way through the ornamental gardens and hedges, eventually appearing on the open field. Mike's pyrotechnics, wonderfully placed sent bits of laurel hedge flying everywhere much to the delight of the onlookers. After exchanging fire for some 15 minutes the final British charge was irresistible.

After the final parade, it was time to mingle with the guests, an unusual cultural experience for many, as we chatted and shared a drink with the conference delegates (With the hotel waiters confusingly dressed in circa 1997 army uniforms with camouflage netting as a back drop - evidently "Soldier Soldier" is also among the Christmas video releases). And finally we provided a guard of honour as the guests (who thought we were wonderful - and so we are) moved into dinner.

Then it was time to pack up and go - and guess what? - it started to rain again. As they say, the sun always shines on the righteous and the NA.

A really successful event which did a lot of good for the image and reputation of the NA.

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