As you will see, apart from the cover and the caption competition we have tried to avoide mentioning Xmas in this issue. This does not stem from some Puritan inspired rant or desire to save coal and food as it was in earlier times, but really is an attempt to provide an island of sanity and calm midst the gluttony, debauchery and then stupour of the Christmas period. We also think that magazines festooned with Holly, mistletoe and cartoons of Father Xmas look pretty silly when you come to browse through them again on the Beach in July !! .......... Not forgetting the fact that we didn't have any seasonal articles - but that's beside the point!

We don't know what most of you thought, but the last issue was was of the best so far. We have reverted to the standard 24 page format for this, so hope that it is just as varied and interesting. Les Prince's article on C17th document lettering is the first of what we hope will be an irregular series on how to go about researching the Civil War. Most areas have Record Offices or large libraries in which you can practice before going on to the main collections further afield. Much of the material we receive is not in print elsewhere, thus local items can help complete a wider national picture. So if you have any saga or tips on how to go about researching the War let us know.

MINI-MUSTERS (to steal a phrase from the re-enactment societies) has been instigated to enourage people to have a go, and to be used a a weapon against those who say they are too inexperienced to write. Duncan is 12. So we are looking for one page articles of an interesting and basic nature. We should add that Keith Raynor's Terribly Obscure Battle is a first time effort. We seem to be covering enough subjects to keep all of you happy most of the time, but the largest demand is for articles of a Wargames nature. We would hope that Terribly Obscure Battles; Colours & Cornets and the pieces on coat colours etc would be of help to those painting and assembling model armies with which to re-fight Civil War encounters. We are both wargamers and hope to be able to satisfy this demand. Really, if you are interested in this aspect you should be a Member of the PIKE & SHOT SOCIETY. They have a bi-monthly magazine which regularly has ECU articles; battles; tips etc. For anyone interested in the military side of the C17th, whether Civil War or Campaigns abroad, it is well worth subscribing to. We will leave the more technical side of Wargames information to that Society and carry on devoting our limited space to more general military matters .... though the very infrequent article may slip in!!!

Those of you fortunate to receive Anglia Television might like to know that in the New Year a series on EAST ANGLIA AND THE CIVIL WAR will be shown. The ECWS re-enactment society were present for some of the filming so it promises to be a good mix of historical information and action. Find someone in the Area with a video now !!!

In Bristol in Late Februarythere is a LIVING HISTORY SYMPOSIUM. There will be several talks on all aspects of Civil and military items and life during the War. Anyone interested should contact R S Peachy, 38 Belle Vue Crescent, Clifton wood, Bristol. Numbers are limited.

With complete faith in the Post Office, we are sure that this will reach you in time to contribute to a HAPPY CHRISTMAS

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