We have gone back and requested a quote just for liability (outside the rope) insurance.

Found out that the insurance industry in reacting to a couple of "major" claims over the past two seasons - 1) the Mich Ren Faire patron that was skewered by a sword that bounced off of a target and into the crowd; 2) another nondescribed patron injury; and 3) the injury to a knight that took a severe blow to the head (I hadn't heard of that one).

These coupled with all of the other reasons that both I and Jeff have mentioned have created one big insurance headache for us.

Jenn, we are all onboard for getting that group idea going.

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Break a Lance,

quote:

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3) the injury to a knight that took a severe blow to the head (I hadn't heard of that one).

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This last one, wonder if it was an equipment failure, improper tools for the job or task, etc...

I'm going to do some more digging and see what's available and make sure that it is a national coverage. One western group I've seen has "pillars" that cover different sorts of things: educational, "live fire" competition, and another type of display (can't remember it off the top of my head). We may be able to adapt what they've done and write the policy to cover the various aspects of what we do.

I'll let y'all know what I dig up.

Jenn

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Cheers,

Gordon

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Thanks Jenn!

Cheers,

Gordon

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Personally, I'm prepared to give up reenactment entirely rather than attend SCA events, but it seems that a goodly number of the former Red Co. are not as squeamish as I am.

How is the insurance situation affecting other reenactment groups? Is anyone else seeing an exodus in the direction of the SCA, or is this a local phenomenon?

Good question. Amazingly enough though I've actually had rather good luck with the equine folks in the local SCA "kingdom". They of course are not reenactors, but among my surprises was that they actually admit that, which is rather novel. They showed a great deal of enthusiasm for doing things other than in the "same old way", probably because the EQ folks really don't HAVE an old way to fall back on other than perhaps trying to do it historically. So I give these folks, at least, good marks for at least trying.

They still suffer overall from a lot of SCA-isms, but the fact that they proved happy to work with me on things showed a great deal of promise. But time will tell, and whoever ends up running things will, too. But in any event, they DO have good insurance, or so it seems, which is a VERY positive thing in my book.

Cheers,

Gordon

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I will be talking with Ann Basset about it tonight and will give everyone an update.

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Break a Lance,

quote:

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Originally posted by Ginevra:
How is the insurance situation affecting other reenactment groups? Is anyone else seeing an exodus in the direction of the SCA, or is this a local phenomenon?

Gwen

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I have to admit, the thought crossed my mind as they have the insurance ducks in a row.

There's definite limitations to doing LH within an SCA event. First of all, it'd be private events only, and not your typical public demo. Though, some SCA groups do public events, it's not the norm.

Now, the SCA has also recently approved "jousting", but I'm not entirely certain in what capacity, or whether or not it would be useful to an LH jouster. Events where equestrian is included at all tend to be few and far between, except in some lucky areas.

I've also heard that the SCA has approved some sort of practice with rebated steel. I'm not certain what that would include, but they can get touchy about things that aren't covered under the rules.

My comments reflect my own stupid opinions and do not reflect the management in any way, please don't blame them for my opinion.

Gwen

I have to agree with you on the first picture! Those guys have their act together! What is funny to me though is the second picture. The subject, Henrik Olsgaard, actually is one of the more together people in the SCA. A founder who usually is seen wandering around in hand sewn linen, and welded mail if he's armed. I have to say though the the plaid caprison et al is a monument to bad taste. Oh well. But usually he is a model which all too few of is fellows follow.

Cheers,

Gordon

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Gwen

quote:

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Personally, I'm prepared to give up reenactment entirely rather than attend SCA events

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not that i can compare a ren faire with the SCA, but with all of the trouble i had with the one back in Feb, i stayed home most of the time than deal with it all. there is something disheartening about going through pictures and seeing all of your hard work and research "enhanced" by the ren rats.

but photoshop can do wonders. and perrsonaly if i can go without my contacts, i do. makes evrthing a nice blur.

daniel

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Db

It's just a bite that I've spent 10 years assembling an awesome collection of uber cool camp stuff, my clothes are right...and I can't use any of it.

Heya Lloyd, what's the word?

Did Lisa get back to you yet? My wife has all the details and we did find insurance (underwritten by Lloyd's of London) at a decent price.

And as for the buildings, we are working on it too.....

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Break a Lance,

No I've not heard anything yet- it's too late to rescue our spring event this year but if we have insurance we can guarantee the site for next year. I await word with baited breath!

My solution to the building problem is to go somewhere where the buildings are there already. We have a wood frame "stable" that we use for local events, and a 2 story Medieval/Tudoresque building that we assemble and occupy for 2+ weeks at Pennsic every year. I can tell you first hand that putting up and taking down a building is a monumental PITA!! Although it is true that Jeff and I have often discussed that our Pennsic building would be cool for 3 couples to go in on- there's enough room for each couple to have a private 12X 10 "bedroom", as well as a 12X14 communal room. It takes 2 guys 2 days to assemble, and a crew about 6 hours to dismantle and store. We think it would be a perfect balance of labor investment vs. PITA factor for 6 people; any less than that and it would take too long to put up and take down to be worthwhile (in our opinion). If you're interested, email Jeff and ask him about it. It's a way cool design.

In any case, please let us know about the insurance please!

I remember those photo's from the link that Joram posted a few months ago. I was totally entranced, I'll tell you, and saved many of them to my hard drive just "because". Hard to find good photographs of men at arms riding through a mediaeval village, LOL! But even with the minor problems here and there (some sneakers noticed, etc.) the over all effect is GREAT! Your right though about the SCA in general. I couldn't possibly take a full diet of that, even though I thoroughly enjoy many of the people who are members. Too broad, and to half-vast for my taste.

Cheers, and good luck with the insurance!

Gordon

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quote:

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perrsonaly if i can go without my contacts, i do. makes evrthing a nice blur.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Ginevra:
[
If I go to an SCA event, this is what I see:

Note: URL Removed to prevent further issues. FS

[ 04-26-2005: Message edited by: Ginevra ][/B]

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ARGHHHHH, my eyes, my beautiful eyes!!!!! Gwen, how could you, now I need to gouge my eyes out with a spoon.

Although where we currrently live, Meridies, looks like it may show some hope!

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Gwen

quote:

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Originally posted by Ginevra:
I wish I could have more of a sense of humour about it. Dominic said he thought I should make Jeff a Plaid Mardi Gras Knight rig for the Scotland jousts as it would drive the locals wild. Toby weighed in with the question of whether the helmet was made from a shortbread tin.....
Gwen

[ 04-30-2005: Message edited by: Ginevra ]

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Now that is funny. We have a new guy here that I am training up and he has the 'Scottish syndrome'. I basically had to tell him there was no way in the world he was going to be wearing a kilt or have any plaid, checks, whatever upon his person.

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Like I said, as long as they're having fun (and they don't come to my events!)

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The thing that concerns me is that the SCA is so pervasive that soon their little joust groups will be popping up everywhere and joe public will simply think that what they do IS jousting. That horrifies me

I remember sitting next to a scadian and she was telling a reporter that she was wearing an exact copy of a 'female' knights armour from the early 14th century

I have also been lurking on a scadian joust lists and apparently hot pink vet wraps are ok to use as the riders colours are hot pink

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Cheers