I’m pleased to announce the details of the next event at the ‘Antiquarian Academy’, on Sunday 16th September as part of this year’s Heritage Open Days Festival (so free entry!). Although this event continues the ‘Age of Austen’ series, the format and content will be a little different – as might be realized by the title: the ‘Time ‘Tec Taster Tournament’! As this is a bit of a mouth full (and as I may develop similar events in the future), this event also goes by the shorter title of ‘Seeking Sophie’. My 21st - century counterpart, Dr. Jarrett, talks about how and why she has developed this event (including a brief outline of the academic research that informs the approaches adopted) on her blog, here; so I shall here explain what participants should expect”
Readers might notice that this is a ‘taster’ event; it provides opportunities to experience aspects of the digital & multi-media educational tours that I am in the process of developing (or rather Dr, J. is on my behalf, as the technology is somewhat advanced for my time), which engage with the historic environment in absorbing and entertaining ways, while also providing opportunities to learn about and put into practice some of the methods used in archaeology.
Seeking Sophie blends fact and fiction (including some of Jane Austen’s characters, and local material and places) in a ‘history mystery’ set in the Regency era, which contestants (there will be a small prize for the winner) – aided by Mrs. Leach and a brave band of associates – can solve by pitting their wits against a gang of vile villains. This challenge is not for the faint-hearted – involving tales of heinous crimes including abduction & forced marriage; false imprisonment – potentially resulting in capital punishment; highway robbery & murder; and other dastardly deeds! But intended to amuse as well as educate, it won’t be too grisly! The incidents, characters, and some of the places portrayed are invented, but informed by real case studies, and through extensive archaeological historical research into crime & punishment; love & marriage; death & burial; travel & tourism; and other topics – which Mrs. Leach examines through various ‘Academy’ events.
The mission involves completion of several tasks. These include ‘decoding’ documents (in Derbyshire dialect for the braver contestants!) to reveals clues; listening to or reading witness testimony; and following a kidnapping carriage by musing over old maps; to determine the whereabouts of an heiress in dangerous company; and using archaeological techniques of detection to discover the secrets of a stolen hoard and buried body – and so set free fettered friends, and put an end to the rogues’ evil doings. But this is no typical heroine-rescue fantasy, for the theme of this year’s HOD festival is ‘Extraordinary Women’ – and fearless females play leading roles in this story!
Evidence – in the form of letters and notes between allies – will be shared online in the days leading up to the event, providing background information, and outlining the brief, and providing a challenge that may be completed before the workshop. Anyone may try their hand at online tasks, but in-it-to-win-it contestants (whose entries will be scrutinised by Mrs. L., to be considered for the prize) need to attend a single short (c. 15-minute) workshop at the HOD ‘Antiquarian Academy’ event. In order to enable more contestants take part, the ‘micro-lesson’ will be repeated several times during the event (at 6.30 pm, 6.50 pm, 7.10 pm & 7.30 pm).
Mrs. Leach will get contestants started on their quest (under her supervision & instruction) at a mini-workshop, using against-the-clock challenges to develop the basic archaeological skills needed to solve the case – including identifying ‘forensic’ evidence through artefact analysis, and interpreting ‘crime scene’ records. Completing the challenges reveals a code that permits access to the online case file and brief (contestants without internet access should contact Mrs. Leach after obtaining a ticket & at least 7 days before the event, to arrange access to hard copies of material, a small number only of which may be made available on request). Contestants may enter as individuals, or in a team (on a single ticket). If entering as a team, only one member attends the workshop; but the rest of the team are of course welcome to come along to see the displays (some of which may help them in their challenge).
After the session, contestants will continue the challenge in their own time, elsewhere, which may include gathering evidence in and around the town, and perhaps the county (though it may be possible to complete challenges using local knowledge & other information and resources, such as search engines, and Google Maps; but contestants will perhaps get more out of the challenges if venturing out ‘into the field’, encountering late Georgian routes and sites that are still with us today – including pubs!).
Contestants have a fortnight to submit their entries by email (submission of entries by post may be arranged prior to the HOD event). If there are several successfully completed entries, the winner wil be drawn. The prize for an individual winner will be a Regency-style miniature portrait; if a team wins, they will receive a group Regency-style silhouette portrait; in either case, this will require the individual or group to send in photo (instructions will be provided), or to come to the ‘Academy’ (by appointment) to have a photo taken. Individuals and groups taking part might instead (or as well) like to share photos taken during participation on the ‘Academy’ Facebook Page, Twitter, and / or this Blog, which might be used if winners.
Places are limited, so pre-booking is strongly advised: participation cannot otherwise be guaranteed (mailing-list members are given priority access to tickets: to join the list, see this page). If all the places are not filled prior to the event, it may be possible to take part on a first-come-first-serve basis; please do not arrive at the venue more than a few minutes before the event begins, or if intending to participate, after the start of the final session. Please note that there is only sufficient standing space at the venue for a small number of visitors, so visitors (including would-be contestants & teams) might have to wait outside for some time until the display space is clear, should the venue be full on arrival. (Benches will be provided; but it may not be possible to provide cover – so bring an umbrella in case of rain or hot sun; also note there are no public toilets or refreshments at this venue.)
The event is listed on the HOD website; and tickets will be available via the Eventbrite ticket page, here, or by contacting Mrs. Leach (using the details given on the HOD event page, here). Please note, receipt of (not application for) a ticket confirms participation in the 'tournament'; tickets not required for visitors not taking part as contestants.
The letters through which the story unfolds – and which contain clues to solve the mystery – will be posted here over the next few weeks, and postings notified via the mailing list, Facebook, or Twitter: readers can subscribe to this website or the mailing list, or follow on Twitter or Facebook so as not to miss out.
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