Go West!

American history comes to life as members of the British Westerners Association enjoy a taste of the old Wild West. By Kate Chapman.

Traditional Wild West re-enactment camps, quick draw shoot-outs, lassoing and axe-throwing competitions are among the activities enjoyed by a group with a shared passion for all aspects of American history.

The British Westerners Association (BWA) was formed in 1973 when 30 western history enthusiasts – whose interests covered the 1700s pioneers to the American Civil War, the emergence of the Wild West gunslingers through to modern day ranching and rodeo – joined together to share their mutual love of the subject. It is now one of the UK’s longest running western associations, hosting two large round-ups every year, which for the past two decades have been held at the Anglia Motel in Fleet Hargate, near Holbeach.

Today, there are more than 150 members, of all ages, who regularly get together to recreate historical camps and take part in traditional western activities, while encouraging more people to learn about the time period.

“Back in the 1970s there were a lot of people interested in the old Wild West, some had been to America while others were interested in different periods of American history, from the pioneers moving across the country right through to the modern-day rodeo,” explains BWA vice-chairman Karl Crawford.

“We cover all aspects, I’ve always been fascinated by the American Civil War myself, how the early outlaw cowboys such as Frank and Jesse James emerged after the war.

“A lot of these young men had no other skills – the war had ended, jobs were few and far between, so they did what they knew they were good at.

“Other members of the group, my wife included, like making all the different outfits from the period. They enjoy the historical research and make all their own clothes based on this work.

“People join because they like history, are interested in old movies or are into genealogy. A lot of people have families that emigrated in the early pioneer days, so we have some members who like those research aspects too. Each member has their own different passions.”

Round-ups
BWA round-ups – which take place in April and August, with the next scheduled for 14th to 17th August – promise western-style fun and games for all ages. Karl says these larger-scale events attract between 100 and 150 members, with many setting up authentic tented towns, while others prefer a little more luxury, choosing to stay in motorhomes and other modern accommodation.

“Our members are all ages – my grandson is one, and my daughter was just a week old when she attended her first round-up. We also have people into their 80s, as well as a couple of founding members still attending round-ups.

“The events are great fun – everybody looks out for each other, there’s a real family feel to them,” adds Karl, who lives in Spilsby. “Many members have period-style authentic tents, predominantly white canvas, either box tents or A-frame. Others prefer something more modern, and we tend to set these up away from the main camp.

“All eras are represented, and we do everything as authentically as possible including cooking on open fires and stoves.

“My wife’s camp is themed around early lady/family pioneers – she has everything, such as an early Victorian double-bed and wardrobes, the prized possessions that a family would take when moving out to the west to start a new life.

“On the other side, a lot of group members representing the early cowboys and outlaws just sleep by the fires under a bit of a tarp or canvas. In the past we’ve had people within our American communities create a school too, where all the kids join together for an authentic lesson, it’s great fun.

“We create personas and all have our own names, that’s part of the theatrical, re-enactment side to it, and that stays with us whenever we’re at camp.

“Our Ma, who has been a member since the early 1980s, comes from Preston – she’s everyone’s Grandma when she comes down, while I’m known as Marmite! There are three or four generations from the same families involved – we’re a real family orientated organisation.”

Creative crafting
During round-up everyone sets up camp and gathers for food cooked around the open campfire before enjoying country music, singing and dancing. Karl says members source as many original items as they can, but if something’s not available they’ll make variations, as close to the original as possible, and help each other out with items.

“There’s a wide interest in the creation and craft of authentic and period items, and not just within the western association. A lot of our members are leatherworkers, and some like blacksmithing, it helps keep some of these traditions alive,” adds Karl, who regularly produces a varied magazine for association members.

“Round-ups are great fun, and a chance to come together, as some people won’t have seen each other for the best part of a year. It’s a chance for people to get to know each other, we have a bit of western dance, and some old civil war dances. The next day we set up a lot of different games – these are mostly for fun, but we do award trophies for the Saturday members’ competitions.

“We do everything from roping to archery, knife and Tomahawk throwing, Indian arrows and even ‘Woolly bashing’, which is a big old cowboy pillow fight, where we use big sacks full of duck down pillows to try and knock each other off a plank! It’s great fun!”

Other activities include a traditional Wild West quick draw shoot-out to determine the fastest “replica” gun and there are activities for children to hone their skills, including lassoing, using hula hoops attached to ropes, and plastic Tomahawk throwing.

The camp is rounded off with live country music on the Saturday evening accompanied by more games and dancing. Other rounds have taken place in Stoke, Telford and Birmingham while smaller get-togethers are hosted around the country, including those by the Turkey Creek Renegades, a contingent of mainly Lincolnshire based members, who meet at Church Farm Museum, in Skegness.

Karl added: “We hold one or two small events here during the year – it’s a public museum, so it’s a great opportunity for other people to come along and see what we’re doing, see what the association is all about.

“We’ve been going 52 years and are currently recruiting some younger members onto committee to keep things going in the future. We’re always open to new members and offer various levels of membership including single, couple, family and business.”

For more information visit www.bwa73.co.uk

Photographs: The British Westerners Association

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