Events
Above: Anonymous AOAAer in suitable evening attire for Tewkesbury
The Academy hosts or attends several combat-based events throughout the year.
We also have a strong social side to the club, and dinners and picnics often involve a certain amount of period clothing, from Victorian to Viking.
(Well, we do teach historical swordplay, after all!)
Watch this space for news of forthcoming events.
A note about period costume
We are not a re-enactment society, but event organisers know us and we are invited to attend many period events. As a club, we need to limit our involvement to only two or three big events each year although individual members can attend as many events as they like.
We also have a strong social side to the club and we welcome partners and families to all our 'fun' gigs.
No student is under any pressure to buy extra-curricular period or cosplay clothing.
Calendar
Past events
Sandy Carnival
The Academy puts on a display (nearly) every year at Sandy Carnival with costumes suitable for the theme of the day. Our Jedi group was particularly well received. We've won the Walking Float four times in the years since we started the Sandy branch.
In 2022, we decided to come as ourselves, and fought two sets of display fights throughout the afternoon, wearing full fighting kit in blistering heat!
In 2023, we dressed as Pirates- and walked away with the senior trophy! Ghaaaarrr!!
Annual Dinner
We invite all Academy members and their partners to our dinner on or around Christmas or New Year.
We hope to be able to get together again this December.
Banquet
In 2024, we decided to renew the tradition of our annual banquet. Great afternoon of fun and games, including sword testing and bottle cutting; followed by a slap up feast as all attendees pitched in with a dish to share. After dinner, Maister Ross (posing as Alex Horne) led a Taskmaster-inspired series of games which involved paper planes, blowing ping pong balls around the table, and a hands-free banana eating competition.
