Talk set to bring Somerset Militia to life (From This is The West Country)

Talk set to bring Somerset Militia to life

7:00pm Tuesday 16th March 2010

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

THANKS to the Neroche scheme people are able to hear the fascinating history of a Somerset Militia group in the pub they used to frequent.

As part of the wide number of projects funded by the Neroche Scheme, local artist and historian Tim Staples has been researching the story of the Leigh Hill Military camp.

A few miles east from Wellington Monument, just past the Merry Harriers at Forches Corner, sits a solitary brick fireplace in the middle of an otherwise empty field.

This is all that remains of what was once the camp at Leigh Hill.

During the late 19th century, this field would have looked vastly different.

Up to 250 tents and some permanent buildings housed up to 1,900 men of all ranks from the Somerset Militia, who would descend on the area for a season of training and parading.

The militia was a part-time defensive force that could be called upon for the protection of the British Isles.

They were appointed from the local gentry or the regular army and were required to spend around 28 days a year training, which is what the Leigh Hill camp was used for.

During his talk Tim will tell people what he has discovered about day-to-day camp life including their training regime and what happened to them when they were caught mucking around or 'skylarking'.

The talk is on Wednesday, March 31 at the Merry Harriers near Clayhidon - the pub that was once 'the local' for the officers - and starts at 9pm.

To book your place to hear this fascinating story call the Neroche office on 01823-680846 - places are limited.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)