Roundheads seek refreshment ahead of re-enactment battles in Otley

ENGLISH Civil War enthusiasts are set to invade Otley next month to recreate a famous episode in the town's history.
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About 200 enthusiasts From the English Civil War Society will be in the town on Saturday, July 2, and Sunday, July 3.

In 1644, Oliver Cromwell’s Roundhead troops were on their way to the siege of York, and the subsequent battle of Marston Moor, when they camped in the Wharfe Valley.

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The troops descended on Otley and reputedly drank The Black Bull inn dry.

Bob Brook, who is the secretary of the Otley Pub Club, contacted members of the English Civil War Society’s re-enactment organisation last year and invited them to the West Yorkshire town.

He said: “They were so impressed by the story, the pub and by Otley itself, that they wanted to come back in large numbers in the summer to recreate that event in the town’s history. Otley Pub Club has now put arrangements in place for them to do just that, and so Roundheads will once again be in Otley in force.”

The Civil War enthusiasts will be attempting to once again drink the Black Bull dry from 7pm on July 2.

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Re-enactment battles will be staged by Robert Overton’s Regiment of Foote and friends from The English Civil War Society at Wharfemeadows Park, Otley, from 2pm to 4pm on both days. There will also be living history displays.