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A Visit to the Flea Market

By Traci Moore

You’ve heard of stories being one for the books...well this one is literally for and about books. As we made our way through the flea market where various tables laden with military gaming paraphernalia, collectables, figurines and yes--books, were displayed, we met one very interesting individual. We stopped at this bookseller’s table to look at the many history books he had for sale. As we were perusing the titles, he said, “Now I only have one book for women in my collection--and it’s a children's book.” Myriam and I gave each other a sidelong glance. He went on to talk about the book’s merits and then stopped himself at one point, saying to both of us, “Do you read history?” You could almost physically hear us biting our tongues.

“Why yes, yes we do,” we answered. Another sidelong glance. “Well then, I don’t carry books for women usually. It’s mostly the men who come to these things.” Okay, that was it for me and I said, “Well in this case, my husband is here with me--instead of the other way around.” Surprised, he asked, “Are you a gamer?” I smiled sweetly and said no, and that my partner, pointing to Myriam, and I were here to support The Sharpe Experience. He seemed a little taken aback until we said, “The series based on the Napoleonic Wars?” A hint of recognition. “Mmmph,” he rumbled. “I don’t have any books on that with me.” 

...You don’t say? Maybe next time. And maybe toss in a few more for women while you’re at it. Separate history books designed solely for women and children... I think he’s making his job much harder than it needs to be.

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And a Trip to the Exhibition Hall

By Myriam Lechuga

We also had great fun in the fabulous Exhibition Hall.  Never before had we seen so many miniature soldiers, horses, weapons, flags, castles, houses, and anything else you can think of all under one roof.  As we were leaving my eye caught a large display of back issues of “Military Illustrated” and staring back at us from each one was Richard Sharpe. Traci and I looked at all the magazines, for research purposes of course, and I decided to purchase two of them, with articles by Richard Moore.  As I was paying, the gentleman in charge helpfully informed us that back in the day ‘girls’ used to think the man on the cover was sort of handsome.  Well, yeah. You could say that, even to this day!

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Something’s... Different...?

By Traci Moore

As Myriam and I looked around the various rooms there was something we were trying to put our finger on. Something that just didn’t seem normal. What was it? It was a hotel, much like any other, a convention for military gaming enthusiasts with swarms of people about all holding their bags given them at the entrance, leafing through brochures as they traversed the floors and hallways, looking for the special gaming events or seminars being given. And then of course there were the tight knit groups of people hunched over large game boards filled with miniature soldiers from every conceivable war known to man and perhaps a few aliens. So what was different?

Our Sharpe Experience ended appropriately enough with a battle – Sharpe’s Battle.  What a treat to watch this most famous episode in a tent full of fellow Sharpe fans. Our hearts soared as the entire audience spontaneously started singing “Over the Hills and Far Away.” Jason and Tim were the perfect hosts, and Jason cheerfully answered audience questions at the end.

Make sure to watch for PBS’ showing early next year, 2010 on WGBH for Sharpe’s Peril, a brand new episode in the Sharpe Series!

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Sharpe Props and Memorabilia on Display

Seeing some of the actual items used in Sharpe was pretty darn exciting, Richard Moore ~  sent some of the props for Sharpe series including the infamous Knock Volley Gun used by Sgt. Patrick Harper. The thing weighed 17 lbs! It was quite a challenge to get a grip on it and hold it up even for a photo. Also there was a map used by Sean Bean,  pencil marks and arrows clearly drawn and well remembered from the Waterloo episode.

Many of the items on display were from Tim Harwood’s personal collection and some were acquired from Richard Rutherford Moore ~ the chief military and technical advisor to the Sharpe Series. And there was Rifleman Harry who kept an eye on Mr. Knock at all times. Items on display included the Baker Rifle, swords, every day items like pipes and eating utensils, various 95th Rifles uniforms, Sharpe related books, autographs, photos, and much more.   Displays also featured the Sharpe Appreciation Society, and artist Garry Cartwright.  Jason Salkey also contributed photos and other items to the exhibit. 

Myriam speaks:

In April I had seen news about Historicon 2009 and The Sharpe Experience on one of the fan forums.  Traci and I discussed how we could get involved in this first ever US Sharpe Event and offer our help through Sharpe Pointe. I found the website for Historicon and sent an e-mail to Convention Director Bob Giglio.   We were soon in contact with the head guru of The Sharpe Experience, Tim Harwood.  Tim, an Englishman by birth, an avid re-enactor and now a transplanted Floridian met with us initially via a conference call.  We greatly enjoyed chatting about his vision for the Experience,  Jason Salkey’s participation, and offering our own ideas on getting the word out to US fans.  Soon a link to Sharpe Pointe was generously added to the Historicon website.

Through the next few months Traci and I worked with Tim to create our own Historicon/Sharpe Experience page on Sharpe Pointe. We continued working together to get the word out to fans as the magic July date approached. That is how and why Traci from the West Coast, and  Myriam from the East Coast, met up in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on a bright and sunny mid-July day.

Meeting for the first time at the Sharpe Experience: L, Myriam Lechuga, Ctr, Founder of the Sharpe Experience, Tim Harwood, R, Traci Moore, Rifleman Harry

Photos/Slide Show

The Sharpe Experience was a big success, both days we were there, many people came to visit and learn about Sharpe firsthand from someone who had been there. There were several re-enactors dressed as 95th Riflemen and not even the toughest leader in the British Army could find fault with their kit—they were scrubbed and ready with every detail in place. They offered information the the many visitors to the Experience, answered questions and posed for photographs, all looking every inch the proper Rifleman.

Members of the US 95th Rifles Re-enactment Unit from Pennsylvania were standing picket throughout the weekend.  Lee Brenneison (representing Sharpe’s own ‘Sweet William’ Frederickson) was there resplendent in his uniform and eye patch, and also brought his own collection of swords, pistol, rifle and a period shaving kit and spectacles!  

Ah. Was that the smell of testosterone in the air? Few women were around, no matter which direction we looked. Very Few. Nearly non-existent. There were some die-hards, a few in tow with their significant male others, and one or two  who seemed shackled to their mate’s obsession for miniature war gaming...but all in all, not much of a representation of our gender. It seems Historicon attracts mostly older males, intense males, precise males, intelligent males, many of whom carried tape measures or rulers (let’s not forget each guest bag given out came with a complimentary tape measure, just in case we were seized with the urge to measure something--anything!)  But clearly Myriam and I were in the minority.

But that was okay. After all, we were here to help support The Sharpe Experience, the brainchild of Tim Harwood. We were here to help promote a series largely unknown in the US but with any luck that soon may change.  In 2005 Sharpe had a quick airing of its 14 previous episodes on BBC America followed by the newest installment in the series, the first new episode in 14 years, Sharpe’s Challenge.  Now, with the first Sharpe Experience to appear in North America being promoted by Historicon, combined with the premiere airing of the 16th episode in the Sharpe Series, Sharpe’s Peril, early next year on PBS, Sharpe may finally be on its way to getting the exposure it deserves on the other side of the pond. 

Background artwork by Garry Cartwright