Napoleonic Newsdesk
Sharpe’s Convention 2001
by Paul Chamberlain
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In April of this year, I attended the Annual Convention of the Sharpe Appreciation Society, having recently become a member. This event was very enjoyable, both from the talks and displays, and the chance to meet with old friends from the Napoleonic world. The Sharpe Appreciation Society was formed in 1996 by Chris Clarke (its secretary), in conjunction with Richard Rutherford-Moore and Bernard Cornwell and the producers of the Sharpe films, Muir Sutherland and Malcolm Craddock, all of who still take a very keen interest in this organisation. It was formed to further interest in the Richard Sharpe character and adventures in the books written by Bernard Cornwell, and to encourage fans of these books to meet, share their interests, and further study into the period in which the Sharpe books are set. By July 2000, the Society (abbreviated to SAS) had a membership of 1,500 worldwide, which is a big achievement for any organisation that has been in existence for only five years. This shows the interest that exists in the Sharpe character (both books and TV films) and the success of the SAS in furthering that interest. The society organises trips to battlefields with a Sharpe connection, such as Waterloo and the Peninsular sites, visits to Napoleonic sites in the UK that have a Sharpe connection, and an Annual Convention. April 2001 saw this annual event being staged at Ealing Town Hall, London, and over 400 members attended. The proceedings began with Bernard Cornwell giving a very entertaining talk on how he came to write the latest in the Sharpe adventures, namely Sharpe’s Prey (published in hardback by HarperCollins). This story is set in 1807 during the attack on Copenhagen, and fans will be pleased to know that there will be another story involving our hero, but this may not be written for a year or two, and may see Sharpe back in the Peninsula. Throughout the day, there was ample opportunity for fans to purchase the new book and get it signed by the author, as well as meeting some of the cast from the Sharpe TV films. The afternoon saw drill displays by the 2nd Battalion 95th Rifles Re-enactment Group and the Royal Green Jackets Cadets, followed by Peter Goodwin (Keeper and Curator of HMS Victory) presenting an illustrated talk on the famous ship. This presentation was included to describe a battleship of the time, as it featured in the last Sharpe book - Sharpe’s Trafalgar. The day finished with a Question/Answer panel comprised of the author, Producers and actors.
Members also had a chance to meet Richard Rutherford-Moore and see some of the weapons used in the films, purchase Sharpe merchandise, and visit the display stand of First in the Field, an organisation that portrays camp and campaign life in the Peninsula from 1808 to 1814. The Sharpe Appreciation Society publishes an A4 newsletter containing news, views and articles relating to the character and the period. Recent articles have included Pills and Potions From Bygone Days, the SAS activities around the world, equipment carried by the 95th Rifles, updates on the actors from the films, plus anecdotes and news relating to the Sharpe books. They also have a Portugal Peninsular War Tour planned for 5th to 12th September 2001, led by Richard Rutherford-Moore. The SAS Road show will also be appearing at the Tractor Rally and Village Fete, Hoveringham, Notts. On 12th August for those of you who live nearby. Membership costs £8 individual or £10 family, and for this you get a bimonthly newsletter plus a chance to take part in the activities organised by the SAS. The Convention was interesting and very enjoyable, the numbers present show just how popular the Sharpe books are, and how the Sharpe Appreciation Society successfully promotes interest in the character and the period. For details, contact The Sharpe Appreciation Society, PO Box 14, Lowdham, Nottingham, NG14 7HU. Sharpe Query Line Tel: 0115 966 5405 Email: sharpe@southessex.co.uk Website: www.southessex.co.uk More Napoelonic Newsdesk
The Peninsular and Waterloo Campaigns - One-day Seminar A Desperate Business: Wellington, the British Army and the Waterloo Campaign Napoleon Bonaparte: England’s Prisoner Book News from Greenhill Back to Table of Contents -- First Empire #60 Back to First Empire List of Issues Back to MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 2001 by First Empire. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com |
Bernard Cornwell addressing the SAS Convention, with the recreated colours of the South Essex on display behind hime. The good news is that Sharpe will march again! (Picture © Steve Green).
Sharpe and Harper have a friendly chat with Obadiah Hakeswill. One of the strengths of the TV films was the convincing and well-acted roles of the ‘guest villains’, in the case played by Pete Postlethwaite. (Picture © Tony Nutley and Carlton Television)