Knights draw in a keen Middle Ages audience

THOUSANDS flocked to Sausmarez Manor on Saturday to get a glimpse of life in the Middle Ages. Proceeds from the Knights of Avalon's medieval fayre will go to the Sausmarez Manor Heritage Trust.

The Knights of Avalon is the charity arm of Tol Galen, a local medieval re-enactment and role play group.

'The charity has been dormant for about 15 years and, given the 1204 celebrations, we thought we could use our experience of role playing, sword fighting and archery to give enjoyment to the community,' said principal organiser Maggie Le Conte.

A similar event was held about 13 years ago at the same venue. Following a plea from manor owner Peter de Sausmarez, Mrs Le Conte said the time seemed right to repeat the exercise.

'I hoped originally to raise a couple of thousand pounds but we've had a far bigger turnout than I expected and the place has been busy all afternoon,' she said.

A wide range of entertainment was held throughout the day and culminated in a charity medieval banquet attended by more than 120 guests.

Mr de Sausmarez said the revenue was much needed to help maintain his historic home and he was grateful to the knights for its efforts.

'We are aiming to build up a capital sum large enough so that we can do the running maintenance off the income,' he said.

'Unfortunately, things keep cropping up that need doing which keep eating into the fund.'

Mr de Sausmarez was 'amazed' at the number of visitors.

'I suspect we must have had about five or six thousand by two o'clock and the car park has been really strained.

'It's fantastic to see people enjoying themselves and we've been so blessed with the weather.'

The large crowd would also help other attractions within the manor, he said, such as the dolls' house collection, coppersmith and tearooms.