So where were you when you heard the news of Diana's demise? It's like she's become this nation's JFK so I thought I would ask. I was running a French and Indian war event at Chatsworth House as part of their Country Fayre - it's on this weekend if you are looking for something fun - it's what US reenactor's call a Dog and Pony show - mass bands, dog agility, horse jumping all in an arena, surrounded by the panoply of country sideshows, hot air balloons, hurdle-making etc. Anyway the Sunday morning we got the news but the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire who were close relatives still rightly decided the show must go on after a minute's silence. Arena displays are a bit of a nightmare for reenactors - no period atmosphere, no bushes or trees to run around - with even large numbers of 'troops' it can still look and feel really naff and I had been worried about it for weeks. So on we marched, our banners draped with black ribbons and the commanders wearing black armbands. Then, from out of nowhere the sky became as black as night - we all looked nervously at each other - what's going on? Then a bolt of lighning and a deluge and when I say deluge it was the most heavy downpour I have ever experienced - soon the muzzle flashes from the muskets which had been for a while illuminating the gloom like fireworks ceased due to the wet and we had to concede defeat and march off through what was by then ankle deep water in the arena. Within minutes people at the Fayre including my son were literally swimming in lakes two feet deep - it was phenomenal.
That night as the last of the punters' cars had been dragged through the mud Stewart, our French commander played host in his marquee to a drinking session and we digested the days events. I remember glancing down to a corner of his tent where there was a copy of the previous day's Sun newspaper, hitherto hidden away from the public. On the front page it had candid photos of Dodi Fayed and Diana on Jetskis with a pretty hostile text about her relationship, with, if I remember, implications that she was being disgraceful - she was going to be hounded about this affair there was no doubt. Strange how the media's tone changed in such a short time after the crash. I remember feeling strangely sad about the whole affair - unusual as I'm not a monarchist or tabloid reader, Diana fan or anything but it just seemed so typical for someone to be crushed by the media and then used to sell even more bloody papers after the dirty deed - it seemed so hypocritical and wrong. Oversentimental? Maybe - cars crash and people die in those accidents every day and it doesn't make the news unless it's someone famous - if you want a conspiracy that could be it - hiding the death toll on our roads - killing more than handguns by a long way. Drive safely gentle readers - and I mean that sincerely.
That night as the last of the punters' cars had been dragged through the mud Stewart, our French commander played host in his marquee to a drinking session and we digested the days events. I remember glancing down to a corner of his tent where there was a copy of the previous day's Sun newspaper, hitherto hidden away from the public. On the front page it had candid photos of Dodi Fayed and Diana on Jetskis with a pretty hostile text about her relationship, with, if I remember, implications that she was being disgraceful - she was going to be hounded about this affair there was no doubt. Strange how the media's tone changed in such a short time after the crash. I remember feeling strangely sad about the whole affair - unusual as I'm not a monarchist or tabloid reader, Diana fan or anything but it just seemed so typical for someone to be crushed by the media and then used to sell even more bloody papers after the dirty deed - it seemed so hypocritical and wrong. Oversentimental? Maybe - cars crash and people die in those accidents every day and it doesn't make the news unless it's someone famous - if you want a conspiracy that could be it - hiding the death toll on our roads - killing more than handguns by a long way. Drive safely gentle readers - and I mean that sincerely.