Going back in time as popular today as ever

From characters in costume wandering the battlements to demonstrations of how to use ancient weapons, crafts for youngsters, archery and dressing up, there was plenty to do for the crowds that flocked to the castle.

‘It’s been very busy,’ said Guernsey Museums’ access and learning manager Jo Dowding. ‘We’ve had visitors who’ve come in addition to cruise ship passengers who are just here for the day.’

Among the visitors was the Payne family, back on holiday in Guernsey and fans of the event itself. ‘We always come to Guernsey for our holiday and always come here for the Fete d’Etai,’ said Emma, who was with her husband Andy and sons Ben, 16 and Dan, 14.

All four are keen on the medieval period, and the boys both play a regular part in Live Action Role Play (larp) events at home.

They were eager to see the demonstration of medieval weapons techniques from Fete d’Etai regulars Tol Galen.

Group secretary Lucy Bourgaize said that as before they were giving away mock swords and shields for children, some of whom were able to try fighting the wooden dragon that had been built for the day and was looking somewhat the worse for the experience by the early afternoon.

Dragons also figured in the crafts section, where children were shown how to use a paper cup, crepe paper, cardboard and a straw to create a fire-breaking monster of their own.

Sisters Penny, 9, and Sally, 7, Ingles were with mum and dad Rachel and Ian, another family who had paid annual visits to the island and who had enjoyed the medieval event at the castle before.

‘We made these dragons ourselves,’ said Sally. ‘I made a crown and we did bow and arrow.’

The family had also seen the noonday gun fire for the first time: ‘It made me jump,’ said Penny.

Medieval history lovers the Buchanan family were regulars at the fete, too, with Beatrix, 6, wearing a costume that was a hand-me-down from her mum, Charlie.

‘We all went across to the Fete des Ramparts in Dinan this year too,’ said Mrs Buchanan.

‘I liked doing the archery, and we did some colouring and some viking runes.’

Making her first appearance at this event was Nicky Jee, aka wise woman Wigatha, who had set herself up in the herb garden to provide words of wisdom – literally, in that she offered a bag of stones for people to choose from each of which represented an ancient English word and she encouraged them to use it during the afternoon.

The Guernsey Press offered to do the same and use the word selected in this report, so hither it is.