Civil war troops storm Wiltshire town (From Wiltshire Times)

Civil war troops storm Wiltshire town

12:14pm Tuesday 27th January 2009 in Latest News By Victoria Ashford

A FEW surprised onlookers watched on as English Civil War soldiers stormed Bradford on Avon firing muskets during a mock skirmish at the weekend.

Groups of people from the Sealed Knot society adorned costumes from the 17th century as part of an English Civil War re-enactment carried out by members of Henry Tillier’s Regiment in a bid to attract new members.

Shaun Dobson, landlord of the Three Horseshoes Pub in Frome Road, Bradford on Avon, hosted some of the group over the weekend.

He said: “It was great. People had a whale of a time. There were a lot of passers-by who didn’t know what was going on and a few shocked faces.”

The group marched through the town to the medieval Packhorse bridge, where they re-enacted the taking over of the bridge which crosses the river Avon.

Beth Christy, 19, of the Longfield estate in Trowbridge, is one of the regiment’s musketeers.

She said: “It was only a small gathering as we are still in the winter months but it was fun and we always have a good laugh.

“We were with really good friends and the regiment is like a family.”

The Sealed Knot was formed in 1968 by the late Brigadier Peter Young and has accumulated a membership of more than 5,000 people.

If you are interested in joining call 07967 697028 or go online to www.tilliers.co.uk