Middle-earth Weekend 2012

From an item in ‘Amon Hen’, the bulletin of the national Tolkien Society:
The Middle-earth Weekend 2012 was held at Sarehole Mill in The Shire Country Park, Hall Green, Birmingham over two days in May. It was a great opportunity to meet old friends and make new ones. Vivienne Wilkes and the Middle-earth Weekend Planning Group brought together this mix of contemporary and historical elements and created an atmosphere redolent of the world of Middle-earth at the Mill and on the event field.
This year’s theme was ‘Celebrating 75 years of The Hobbit’ and visitors were treated to entertainments, activities, craft demonstrations, re-enactments, food, drink in the all-round hobbity surroundings that this part of the country possess.
The Tolkien Society was there as well in the Tolkien tent organised by Dave Corby of the Isengard Smial. The weather may not have brought the May sunshine; but the warmth of the hosts, and the enthusiasm of the visitors, served to brighten the whole experience.
The weekend is the culmination of months of work by the Shire Country Park Friends, the Birmingham Tolkien Group, Shire Productions and staff at Sarehole Mill. They rely on a dedicated group of volunteers both in the run-up to and over the weekend.  The regular features of recent events have been the marquees, on the recreation ground behind the mill.  These provide the covered venues for the following attractions:
Crafts, various artisans exhibiting and purveying their wares
Activities, usually themed, this year the theme was ‘Mirkwood Forest’
Performances, a variety of theatrical entertainments organised by Shire Productions
‘The Tolkien Tent’, an educational resource with representations from local historical groups, readings, quizzes and stalls.
More volunteers are needed for the Middle-earth weekend in 2013. To make next year’s weekend happen, the organisers need additional willing, enthusiastic and above all, committed volunteers. Preparations for the weekend start in the New Year and if you would like to make a contribution to the running of this unique event, please contact Viv Wilkes or Stevie Prior via middleearthweekend@gmail.com.