Ian Fletcher Battlefield Tours

Agemus Agenda

The Waterloo Association

You might like to know that Ian Fletcher is now editor of The Waterloo Journal, the journal of the Waterloo Association. Published three times per year it contains several interesting articles and features, news and book reviews. The Journal underwent a complete revamp when ian took over and features articles by Andrew Roberts, Julian Spilsbury, Peter Snow, Nick Lipscombe, James Falkner, Hans and Gabriele Ebke and Rui Robolhos Felipe. A special article featured the artwork of Chris Collingwood, the military artist. Indeed, his paintings were reproduced in full colour across the Journal in spectacular style. Information on how to become a member can be found by contacting the membership secretary, Paul Brunyee. His email address is: paulbruntee@btinternet.com.

Ghosts of the Zulu War

A special two day weekend event is planned for 24th-25th March 2012 at The BLACK HORSE public house PLUCKLEY Kent. GHOSTS OF THE ZULU WAR will feature a large static exhibition, Victorian soldiers in living history displays, films, artifacts and trade stands. On the saturday evening there will be a ticketed dinner with a talk by author IAN KNIGHT. Details are to be finalized soon. Exhibition is free to all , dinner tickets approx. £45 each. Early booking is recommended. Tickets will be available in early January 2012. Enquiries should be sent to Bob Driver at: bobdriver.79@hotmail.co.uk. Tel.01634 221929
also theblackhorsepluckey@hotmail.co.uk tel.01233 841948 watch this site for updates.

Tour Updates

Waterloo 2015: NOW SOLD OUT
The trip to Waterloo for the 200th anniversary in 2015 has now completely sold out. Given that the brochure was only despatched on 3 September it means the tour sold out in just ten days, a record, certainly for IFBT. We are now operating a waiting list. No deposit is needed at this stage but should a place become available you will be required to pay the £100 deposit (which is a reduced deposit for this tour) immediately. Any such places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Napoleon and Russia
Anyone thinking of booking the Napoleon and Russia tour in September 2012 should be aware that half of our allocation has now been sold. Like Waterloo 2015, the tour is proving very popular and it is advised not to wait too long to book, otherwise you risk missing out like many will do for the Waterloo trip.

Badajoz 200th anniversary
We have a limited allocation of rooms for both these tours and places are now very limitd for the Ciudad Rodrigo tour. Rooms in Ciudad Rodrigo are very much at a premium in January. Once again, it is adviseable to get in quick or face disappointment. We have a larger allocation in Badajoz, but as it is easter, rooms have been snapped up pretty quickly and it is unlikely we will find more rooms available once our allocation is sold.

Countdown to Waterloo

2012 will see the continuation of the Peninsular War 200th anniversaries with visits to Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz, Salamanca and Burgos. The theme will, of course, continue over the next few years with everything leading inexorably to Waterloo in 2015. Between now and then we intend organising tours to Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz, Salamanca, Borodino, Leipzig, Vitoria, Maya, the Nivelle, Orthes, Toulouse, Montmirail, and Bayonne. These will be the key visits although others are being planned. Whether anyone will book the tours remains to be seen, of course, but as historians both Ian Fletcher and Julian Spilsbury certainly will be at these places, 'on the ground and on the day'. Hopefully, they'll have guests to join them but they'll be there anyway!

News

Ciudad Rodrigo 200th Anniversary

The siege of Ciudad Rodrigo in January 1812 was marked by heavy snow and bitterly cold weather, which is why we all packed hats and scarves for our 200th anniversary tour. You may well imagine our surprise, therefore, when temperatures hit 18 degrees on three of the four days of the tour. Indeed, clear blue skies and a brilliant sun made it feel more like spring than the middle of January. Only on 20 january was the weather cold and grey, and only then for the morning only. The event itself on the evening of 19 January was marked by a press conference in the town hall, attended by the guest of honour, Lord Douro, who is also the Duke of Ciudad Rodrigo, and by the IFBT party, thanks largely to Colonel Nick Lipscombe who represented HM as he always does at the anniversary events. A procession to the Lesser Breach followed where a plaque was unveiled by Lord Douro, timed to coincide with the actual assault. Fireworks were sent into the sky and a huge bonfire lit in front of the cathedral. Other events followed the next day including another procession, culminating in a ceremony in the Plaza Mayor. Our own tour included all of this as well as visits to Fuentes de Onoro, El Bodon, the Coa, Gallegos and Porto. A great four days and one of the best 200th anniversary events so far.

The IFBT Sorties

From March 2011 IFBT is introducing customised private tours covering northern France and Belgium by our resident english guide in France. This is in response to requests for guided tours, often of just a day's duration, of this easily accessible region. The duration, timing and subject of each tour is completely up to you, our guests, and with guiding costs starting at just £50 for a half day and £100 for a full day they represent tremendous value.  Tell me more