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Nigel Amies MA @nigela.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

I'm famous... sort of... 😆 Taken when presenting Corps of Military Police at Kent Life's WW2 Home Front last weekend, and 'published' by Peter Cosgrove!

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Reposted by Nigel Amies MA

LukeBMTB @lukebmtb.bsky.social · 13/10/2026

Today’s #BirdOfTheDay Alt theme is #LookingUp; any bird looking up/head raised Egret carrying out some pre flight checks. #birds #photography

Head and one wing of little egret, it's preening under the wing, looking up.

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Nigel Amies MA @nigela.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

I had a great weekend as a Military Policeman at the Kent Life Museum 1940s Home Front event with the Return from Dunkirk living history group. I met friends old and new and was impressed by the authenticity standards nature of all involved. Roll on next year! 🙂 Photos: Peter Cosgrove.

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Nigel Amies MA @nigela.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Yes, a good replica overall: some of the cockpit instruments came from an old Skoda car... 😆 It gathered a lot of interest throughout the weekend!

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Nigel Amies MA @nigela.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

A blast from the past: memories of guarding the 'crashed' replica Messerschmitt Me109 at Kirby Hall's 'History in Action' event, as a member of the Civil Defenders back in 2000! Happy days... 🙂 Photo: David Black.

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Nigel Amies MA @nigela.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

I'll be taking part in a Home Front living history event at Kent Life Museum, near Maidstone, this weekend with a group portraying the aftermath of Dunkirk in June 1940, when soldiers evacuated from France arrived home and had to be processed and returned to unit. www.facebook.com/share/p/19s4...

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Nigel Amies MA @nigela.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

My clever friend Vicki Swan has invented a new 'musical' card game: do have a look! 🙂 www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/musical-ca...

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Nigel Amies MA @nigela.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

I'm just back from presenting early medieval life at Hedingham Castle with Hands On The Past: the schoolchildren and staff were great to work with and there were many laughs amongst the learning! www.handsonthepast.net Photos: Westerings School

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Nigel Amies MA @nigela.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Back at beautiful Hedingham Castle for work today with Hands On The Past! We're presenting life in a castle in 1146 to local children: my 21st year of doing this... 🙂

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Nigel Amies MA @nigela.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

I had a great time 'in' 1553 at @kentwellhall.bsky.social over the weekend, shooting arrows, chatting with visitors and enjoying time with friends! Photo credits: (1) Andy Longhurst, (2) Sue Longhurst and (3) Mike Hill.

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Nigel Amies MA @nigela.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

I'm giving a public talk on 8th December 2026 at Ancient House Museum about the experience of the 9th East Norfolk Regiment in the First Anglo-Sikh War of 1845-46. My focus will be on the recollections of Private Baldwin, who fought against the Sikhs in the Punjab. www.facebook.com/share/p/19ca...

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Nigel Amies MA @nigela.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

All of this, of course, happened in WW1 and not WW2 as originally stated! #typo!

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Nigel Amies MA @nigela.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

4) ...I also met descendants of his colleagues Special Constables Fairhead (his daughter Jo Murrison) and King. Altogether a grand day at work!

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Nigel Amies MA @nigela.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

3) ...who showed me newspaper cuttings that he kept together with souvenirs - including the silver watch awarded to him (for his actions in helping to capture all 22 crew members), his warrant card and a lamp given to him by one of his prisoners.

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Nigel Amies MA @nigela.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

2) I was invited to the aptly named 'Zepfest' festival to present the story (in character) of Special Constable Edgar Nicholas, who was instrumental in arresting said crew following the crash. I had the privilege of meeting his great-grandson and family...

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Nigel Amies MA @nigela.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

1) It's 110 years ago since the German Zeppelin L33 was shot down, and crashed, at the village of Little Wigborough in Essex during WW2. The German naval crew survived, set fire to the aircraft and attempted to march the six miles to Colchester.

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Nigel Amies MA @nigela.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

I'll be taking part at this excellent 1553 Tudor living history event at @kentwellhall from Saturday until Monday! www.facebook.com/share/p/1F8M... Photo: Mike Hill.

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Nigel Amies MA @nigela.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

VAD 'nurse' Sian Hogarth has done it again: tried - unsuccessfully - to stop me talking by demonstrating how to treat a jaw injury: just as at Lynn Museum 7 years ago (2nd photo)! 😆 We all had a great day discussing WW1 and the Duleep Singh family with visitors at Ancient House Museum!!

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Nigel Amies MA @nigela.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

I hope all of my friends attending this weekend's 1940s event at Sheringham have a great time. I won't be there but my twin brother Paul will be, causing as much confusion as ever... 😆 So if anyone spots 'me' in a dog collar ... it isn't me! Have a good one Paul! nnrailway.co.uk/steam-back-t...

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Nigel Amies MA @nigela.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

2) First time there for us: met many like-minded people and heard some beautiful music performed by top musicians from around Europe and the Mediterranean, in the castle where Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned for six months in 1568, and the neighbouring church, also built in the late-14thC.

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Nigel Amies MA @nigela.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

1) Here are some photos from last weekend's excellent @medievalmusicinthedales festival at Castle Bolton Castle in north Yorkshire. Wonderful music from Europe, the Mediterranean and Middle East as well as closer to home, great company, lots of singing, dancing and joy! ...

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Nigel Amies MA @nigela.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

I'm pleased to be working at this free event at Ancient House Museum on Sunday 20 September, presenting the topic of Prince Frederick Duleep Singh's role in training British cavalry troops in France during WW1. facebook.com/events/s/her...

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Nigel Amies MA @nigela.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

My talk about the history of the Home Guard was very well-received at Holt Library today. Lots of questions, laughs and one song! 😆 www.nigelamieshistoricaleducation.com

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Nigel Amies MA @nigela.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Here's a recent photo from Ancient House Museum when I discussed the roles of Prince Frederick Duleep Singh and his sister Sophia during the First World War. Frederick trained cavalry troops with the British army in France and Sophia volunteered as a Voluntary Aid Detachment nurse here in the UK.

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Nigel Amies MA @nigela.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

I had an excellent time with Viking chums at Kentwell Hall's 'History Through The Ages' event over the weekend representing Anglo-Danes in 890ad: a wonderful bunch of friends and so many laughs! Thanks to the talented Mike Hill, Andy Longhurst and Sue Longhurst for (most of) these photos...

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Nigel Amies MA @nigela.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

I had a brilliant time at @folkeast last weekend! Highlights: @pressgangmutiny, @mirandasykesbass, @samkellysings, @magpiesmusicuk and @reemamusic as well as impromptu shanty sessions, great beer, excellent organisation, facilities and volunteers and, most of all, the very best company... 🙂

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Nigel Amies MA @nigela.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

I'm looking forward to presenting this talk on the topic of the Home Guard at Holt Library on 3 September 2026, 11am-12pm. One of my favourites subjects! See: norfolk.spydus.co.uk/cgi-bin/spyd... www.nigelamieshistoricaleducation.com

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Nigel Amies MA @nigela.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Apparently it's #WorldPhotographyDay which makes me think of the very talented and professional Harvey Mills, who has on several occasions photographed myself and colleagues on behalf of Zeitgeist Tours. Harvey is also the photographer for Operation Nightingale: www.gov.uk/guidance/ope...

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Nigel Amies MA @nigela.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Good news: the new Royal Marines Museum will open at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard on 24th October 2026! www.facebook.com/share/p/1BFc...

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Nigel Amies MA @nigela.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Now back from spending a week at at @kentwellhall.bsky.social: just brilliant!

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Nigel Amies MA @nigela.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

I had a very enjoyable time presenting WW1 trench life workshops to families at Ancient House Museum last Tuesday. www.nigelamieshistoricaleducation.com Photo: Harvey Mills.

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Nigel Amies MA @nigela.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

This small Tudor living history event is happening at Kentwell Hall from 8th-14th August: www.facebook.com/share/p/14mr...

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Nigel Amies MA @nigela.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

I'm looking forward to presenting these WW1 trench life sessions at Ancient House Museum on 11 August 2026! facebook.com/events/s/fir... www.nigelamieshistoricaleducation.com

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Nigel Amies MA @nigela.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

I had a brilliant 'visit' to the year 1716 at the weekend, as a Militia drummer attached to a section of Colonel Kerr's Dragoons at the excellent highwaymen and vagabonds event at Chiltern Open Air Museum - run by 'The Crew of the Phoenix' living history group! www.facebook.com/share/1EbSr6...

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Nigel Amies MA @nigela.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

'On duty' at No.10... 😆 Taken by the talented Paul Hurst in old King's Lynn a few years ago: first time our for my Victorian police uniform... it's been out and about a lot since then! www.nigelamieshistoricaleducation.com

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Reposted by Nigel Amies MA

KOJAMF🤘🖤🤘 @kojamf.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Deborah Sandidge Photography "This is where it all starts, a beautiful dance, an ancient ritual among the egrets. Courtship displays are designed to attract a mate and it’s hard not to notice this Great Egret’s long lacy breeding plumes as he bows and rises in an elegant display."

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Nigel Amies MA @nigela.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Here's some great feedback from the Essex Cultural Diversity Project team regarding the series of talks given last Saturday at Thetford; my own being focused on the experience of soldiers of the 9th East Norfolk Regiment in the Anglo-Sikh War of 1845-46. www.facebook.com/share/p/1Cog...

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Nigel Amies MA @nigela.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

I had a brilliant day working (as mounted Army Service Corps) at Ancient House Museum today on the topic of mounted soldiers who served in WW1, including Prince Frederick Duleep Singh, who spent time in France training cavalry troops as a major with the Norfolk Yeomanry.

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Nigel Amies MA @nigela.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

On Sunday I'll be discussing the role of Sophia Duleep Singh as a WW1 nurse at Ancient House Museum. For details re free activities and at the Mela/Punjabi Festival at Thetford Grammar school: see attached images and links for details... facebook.com/events/s/fes... essexcdp.com/event/ftap/

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Nigel Amies MA @nigela.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

I got my Tudor drum out yesterday for Armada filming in Mendlesham, Suffolk... I took part with the Suffolk Free Company - we did some archery, musketry and pike drill too. @sixteenthcgirl.bsky.social was a surprise 'guest', and a joy to work with! www.facebook.com/share/p/1Bce...

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Nigel Amies MA @nigela.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

I like this photo taken by portrait photographer Danny Jackson at Kentwell Hall last month. It had been a busy day, and was a great time to try out my new yew longbow and to sample some liquid refreshment! www.nigelamieshistoricaleducation.com

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Nigel Amies MA @nigela.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Yes indeed! British soldiers respected the Sikh gunners, in particular: the Sikh army had been trained by European and American officers prior to the first Anglo-Sikh War... Research the topic proved difficult, there being a research/knowledge 'gap' regarding this period. Thank you for reposting!

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Nigel Amies MA @nigela.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

For more details see: facebook.com/events/s/ang... All part of the excellent Festival of the Punjab!

facebook.com

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Nigel Amies MA @nigela.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

I'll soon be giving my public talk at Thetford Library (1pm) on 18 July about the experience of soldiers of the 9th East Norfolk Regiment fighting in the Sikh War of 1845-46. It will be based on a private letter from Private Baldwin to his cousin: printed afterwards in a book, pictured...

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Nigel Amies MA @nigela.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Here are photos from last weekend's 'Big History' event at Fort Nelson, where I was with the Time Will Tell Theatre team presenting ‘Beer, Bread & Battles’ - a look at feeding armies (and navies!) through the ages. We had some lovely audiences and much laughter! royalarmouries.org/fort-nelson

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