Civil war re-enactors from Colonel Robert Overton’s Regiment of Foote in Newark for Hercules Clay weekend
Civil war re-enactors will hold a two-day event over Hercules Clay weekend.
Hercules Clay was a governor of Newark during the English civil war, famously having a premonition of his home being destroyed and moving his family out just in time.
In thanks for his family’s safety, he left money to help the people of the town who were in need, creating a legacy of kindness and community support.
Colonel Robert Overton’s Regiment of Foote, a locally-based civil war re-enactment group, will be holding a living history event at Newark Civil War centre on Hercules Clay weekend, which is this coming weekend.
In addition to living history and military drills from the 1600s, the group will be making a donation to Newark Foodbank in honour of Hercules Clay and laying a commemorative wreath on the Sunday.
Group Member Tom Carson said: “The people of Newark are rightly proud of their town’s history, and we’re proud to honour that history with our event at the museum. Hercules Clay left a legacy long ago to help the disadvantaged of Newark, and its a privilege to honour his name and continue that legacy with a donation to the Trussel Trust.”
The traditional service to remember Hercules Clay will take place on Sunday in Newark Parish Church, starting at 11.15am.
The Mayor of Newark, Laurence Goff, and his guests, together with the local business community, led by Kevin Guthrie, chairman of Newark Business Club, will be escorted across to church from the town hall by members of the regiment.
The procession will take place at 11.05am.
The traditional elements of the Hercules Clay service, presenting a replica of the Clay Bible and the blessing of the bread for which a legacy was left, will still be included in the service.
The mission statement for the business club will also be presented.
At the end of the service, the regiment will also provide an escort for the Town Mayor and civic party back to the town hall. Once the party has been escorted back to the town hall, they will march back to the castle to continue their re-enactment event.
Everyone is invited to come and join in with this traditional service that dates back to 1644.
Tom said: “If local history interests you and you’re looking for a new social hobby, the group is always ready to welcome new recruits.”
The members of re-enactment group Colonel Robert Overton’s Regiment of foote, will be at the Civil War Centre on Saturday, from 10am to 5pm.
As part of the event, the National Civil War Centre is encouraging people to make donations to Newark's Foodbank. Any taking a donation on Saturday will get free entry to the museum.
Rhona Holloway, Newark and Sherwood District Council's portfolio holder for economic development and visitors, said: “It’s wonderful to see the legacy of kindness left by Hercules Clay still being felt to this day.
"With the cost-of-living crisis upon us, this spirit of generosity and goodwill is more important than ever and we are delighted to be repaying residents’ good deeds with free entry to the wonderful National Civil War Centre on this day for those bringing a donation.”
