Society Training Weekend 2026
Chetwynd Deer Park
Friday 3rd-Monday 6th April
Newport
Shropshire
TF10 8EU
A 200 acre private estate, which is split in half by a sandstone ridge (Scaur). It ise a grade 2, historic park and garden with both wooded areas and also large areas of park land. On the estate, there are approximately 100 wild deer which are enclosed by a 6ft fence.
Lots of open space for combat training/archery, open woodland for playing in plus indoor space (the Lodge) for indoor activities.
Fires should be on on raised fire boxes or in the two spaces available for communal fires.
There are stand pipes from the mains mains supply set around the lower half of park.
Ample car parking, alcohol is allowed on site, and smoking/vaping is allowed on site (please clean up any butts etc)
Facilities
There are no indoor bunk spaces available. There is a small kitchen within the lodge which has a hot water boiler, microwave, fridge, toaster but no oven. There are no brick toilets – we will hire portaloos. There is no café.
There is space for caravans and campers with no height restrictions. Electricity is available at The Lodge and by the poolside in the park.
Dogs are allowed on leads - note, a farmer rents the land for sheep grazing so watch if these are sited close to us.
Rubbish removal will be provided.
Please also note there are restrictions with amplified music.
We will have access to the lake and are able to bring coracles for use here.
Amenities near Newport /// "What Three Words"
Princess Royal Hospital ~10 miles. Apley Castle, Telford, TF1 6TF. A&E ///flicked.boardroom.pillows
Bridgnorth Community Hospital, ~22 miles. North Gate, Bridgnorth WV16 4EU. Minor Injuries Unit ///bleaching.crossing.unscrew
Newport Retail Park ~ 3 miles. Newport TF10 7BX BP Filling Station, ///yachting.just.scrap Aldi, ///statement.spring.trend Lidl, ///bicker.dwarf.keyboards McDonalds, ///petrified.sliders.claw Subway, ///surfed.tributes.sticks Greggs, ///give.scary.chainsaw
Jones’s Fish & Chips, Newport ~1.4 miles ///tuxedos.fenced.trapdoor
Hoo Zoo & Dinosaur World ~7 Miles Worth pre-booking if you are planning to visit. Hoo, Hadley, Telford TF6 6DJ. ///koala.crawling.playfully
Royal Air Force Museum Midlands ~12 miles Free entry. Small fee for parking. Lysander Ave, Cosford, Shifnal TF11 8UP. ///pounce.pave.vowing
Timetable
Currently work in progress - please keep checking.
Overall
Training - Saturday, Sunday & Monday (probably morning only)
9:00am - 10:00am Meetings 10:00am - 11:15am Morning session 1 11:15am - 11:30am Short Break 11:30am - 1:00pm Morning session 2 1:00pm - 2:00pm Lunch Break 2:00pm - 3:15pm Afternoon session 1 3:15am - 3:30am Short Break 3:30pm - 4:30pm Afternoon session 2
Specific Days
FRIDAY
8:00pm DARF pub quiz Marquee
SATURDAY
9:00am - 10:00am Officer Meetings :-
• Combat meetings on training fields
• 9:30 am RAT and group acting officers meeting
• First Aiders training -
• Short Hersirs meeting after RTT meeting
9:45am - 10:00am Missiles
• All missile trainers to meet on the range: Missiles trainers meeting.
10:00am - 11:15am Morning session 1 :-
• Combat Training on training field
• Missiles warmup and training on range: All weapons
• 10:00 am LHE Team meeting - Northumbria Camp
• 10:30 am LHE test surgeries - Northumbria Camp
• 11:00 am Register for all LHE tests for Saturday and Sunday - Northumbria Camp
• 10:00 am Crafts demo -
• Acting - Youth Theatre Workshop (8 years old and up)
• First Aiders training
• Youth Combat training 13->16 Years
11:15am - 11:30am Short Break
11:30am - 1:00pm Morning session 2 :-
• Combat Training on training field
• Missiles training: all weapons
• LHE Skills Tests - assemble at Northumbria Camp
• Kiddie Vike. Training for organisers
• Crafts demo -
• Acting 11:30 Workshop: Voice and Projection
• Acting 12:15 Bitesize - Beginners Improv
• Acting 12:40 Bitesize - Emotion in Motion
• First Aiders training
• PA training session - Equipment Orientation
1:00pm - 2:00pm Lunch break
1:15pm Acting Meeting for Group Acting Officers, Group Leaders and RATS
2:00pm - 3:15pm Afternoon session 1 :-
• Combat Training/Testing on main field
• Missiles training or tests, where candidates are ready.
• Junior Missiles training. Some equipment available
• LHE Skills Tests - assemble at Northumbria Camp
• Crafts demo -
• Acting 2:10 Bitesize - Drama Games
• Acting 2:30 Workshop - Active Improv
• First Aiders training - cafe
• Battle Captain session
• 14:00-15:00 kit clinics, Kitten and AO training and general authenticity advice, location TBC (may change to 13:30 to 14:30, hats and tests depending)
3:15am - 3:30am Short Break
3:30pm - 4:30pm Afternoon session 2 :-
• Missiles training / testing, continued
• LHE History Tests - bring a pen and clipboard - Northumbria Camp
• Crafts demo
• Acting 3:35 Workshop - Physical Contact Training
• Acting 4:10 Bitesize - Active Voice
• First Aiders training
4:00pm - 6:00pm Combat - Alley Brawl - training field
6:30pm - 7:30pm ALTHING - Marquee
(lost property will be displayed during the Althing - if you have any please bring it to the hall)
SUNDAY
09:00am - 10:00am Meetings
• First Aiders training
09:30am - 11:30am Kit checks (location TBC)
09:30 - Missiles, independent warm-up on missiles range
09:30 - 12 noon Safeguarding meeting/training
09:45am - Mini Hersir Meeting to recap and finalise assignments.
10:00am - 11:15am Morning session 1 :-
• ALL WARRIORS - Battle and free fights.
• Missiles to join with all warriors for battle and free fight OR continued training on range.
• PA "on the mic" session
• Missiles display training: all weapons
• LHE Surgeries (if required - please book on Saturday) - Northumbria Camp
• LHE Skills Tests (if required - please book on Saturday) - assemble at Northumbria Camp
• 10:30 - Crafts demo -
• Acting 10:10 Workshop - Voice & Projection
• Acting 10:45 Bitesize - Beginners Improv
• Acting 11:00 Bitesize - Emotion in Motion
• First Aiders training
• Youth Combat Training 13->16 Years
11.00 am Easter Egg Hunt for children under 12 and their supervising bigger person. This is a scavenger-style hunt with a variety of edible and non-edible goodies, and will take place (location tbc) at 11am on the Sunday. Just as it has been in previous years the hunt is open to all members aged 12 and under but a spot MUST be pre-booked. To book your place please email vikingsyouthcoordinator@gmail.com with the child's name, age, group and any allergies. There are 15 spaces and they are first come first served. This isn't a babysitting service so all children participating need to be accompanied by a responsible grown up or big person.
11:15am - 11:30am Short Break
11:30am - 1:00pm Morning session 2 :-
• Combat Testing. Larger scale fighting and fun.
• Missiles assessments / continued participation in larger scale fighting.
• LHE Skills Tests (if required - please book on Saturday) - assemble at Northumbria Camp
• Crafts demo -
• Acting 11:35 Bitesize - Drama Games
• Acting 12:00 Workshop - Active Improv
• Acting 12:40 Bitesize - Active Voice
• First Aiders training
• PA training session - at marquee
12:30pm - 2:30pm Bring and Buy main hall, Auction in aid of DARF, (any unclaimed lost property will be sold in aid of DARF)
1:00pm - 2:00pm Lunch break
2:00pm - 3:15pm Afternoon session 1 :-
• Combat testing (if req.) .... or else more training/Combat games.
• Missiles: Continued missiles assessments or range training
• LHE History Tests (if required - please book on Saturday) - bring a pen and clipboard - Northumbria Camp
• Crafts demos -
• Acting 2:10 Workshop - Physical Contact Training
• Acting 2:45 Bitesize - Subject to be announced
• First Aiders training
3:15am - 3:30am Short Break
3:30pm - 4:30pm Afternoon session 2 :-
• Combat Competitions
• Missiles training or play
• LHE Team Debrief Meeting - Northumbria Camp
• Basic Acting Tests
• First Aiders training
5:00pm
• Golden Javelin competition Missiles area
MONDAY