It’s time for the very first Meet the Member of the year and what better way to start a new year than with a new Member! Meet James, who joined as a temporary member for a battle last year and liked it’s so much he’s coming back as a full member for 2016. Huzzah!
Name: James Baugh
Age: 30
Rank/Role in the Regiment: Aspiring Pikeman
21st Century Occupation: Business Analyst
How long have you been in the regiment and what was your first event? I joined the Regiment as a full member this year however my first event with Newcastle’s was Newark last year which was great fun!
Why did you decide to join? I have been involved in re-enactment for the last 16 years and have done a number of periods around the world. Upon returning to the UK I always wanted to have a go at the English Civil War period. I was involved in Cavalry re-enactment but I’ve always been an infantryman at heart, a friend of the regiment recommended I give it a go with Newcastle’s and here I am!
What was your favourite event and why? My favourite event with Newcastle’s is limited to Newark thus far but it was a pretty great event. I think the best event I ever did was a Maori War event for Armistice Day in New Zealand. I can remember a cracking battle and then heading into town for the night and partying through to morning. I got lost (after a great night!) and was found by some South African tourists about 40km away from the event in full dress Uniform. They kindly dropped me off in time for the Dawn service though the whole way back they thought I played the trumpet in a brass band… must have been the red coat…!
What is your favourite part of being in Newcastle’s? So far it’s been the tremendous community spirit I see from everyone in the group, the willingness to get stuck in and be inclusive of all others. I know from experience this is massively important and Newcastle’s leads the way from what I’ve seen.
If you’re not spending the weekend re-enacting, what else are you up to? Doing multiple periods means my kit store can sometimes be overflowing much to the chagrin of my partner Lisa. I now spend my weekends when not re-enacting hiding my re-enacting purchases from Lisa and and dodging the ridicule from my friend Mark Bentham-Hill, the Waller’s Cavalry Regimental Commanding Officer, who reckons I never use any of my gear! When not doing any of that I’m generally under the thumb working on the house.
After a hard day battling, what is your tipple of choice? For me it’s a stiff Bourbon (served with ice of course), my favourite is Woodfords Reserve.
We’re looking forward to having James join us for the upcoming season and see him becoming one of the gang! If this has inspired you to come and give this quirky but rewarding hobby a go, then head to our Getting Stuck In page to find out how!