La Compagnia 2025 annual general meeting Sunday 9th March 2025
/Called to order at 11:08am, approx 24 members in the meeting on Discord
Agenda
Review of last year
Aurora did a quick review of the last year, including mentioning of new recruits, although we need some more with driving licences!
Elisabeth mentioned Amici Armis and what a great event it is.
Spring Dead and the Mark McMinney “reality TV show” - enough said….. 🙂
Deed of Alms was in the park for the first time since 2017, but it was the same day as pride which caused some traffic issues. Raised approx, $2,000 for West Neighbourhood House, and also some of that funding goes to the move of an Afghan family to Canada.
Red Knight - first time on the new site that is part of Scott’s property near Peterborough, Aurora mentioned the size of the site and how we wouldn’t to go over 100 people, but the event well very well, Sir Christian’s injury notwithstanding! The Chicago team stayed on site and cooked on site for the first time, and although it was a smaller team than previous years, Suzanne noted that less than 4 would not work, and so a bigger presence would aid in self sufficiency. They Chicago team has a large tent that remains on the site at Scott’s, to make things easier logistically.
Fall Hunt - Christian, 1870’s fall hunt, included period firearms and people in great kit for an excellent event.
Plataea 2024 - Giannis Kadoglu provided an overview of this event, to recreate a Greek Reenactment of this famous historical battle. Giannis made comments about the lack of assistance and understanding of local authorities and the local community and of course the record breaking heat of last summer. A good development is a number of articles and an academic lecture that have used the data from the event. Giannis also thinks there is more interest from the public. As such, the Plateans, the Greek arm of Hoplologia will be the body to proceed with further events in future. Christians comment on the ability to add to the academic discipline of classical Greek warfare
2025 Events
Amici Armis - HEMA workshop event in Sherbrooke, Quebec April 5th - 6th, 2025: Phillip is one of the organizers and joined to describe the event. There are only 25 places left out of 125 total. Phillip mentioned the organizing team can help find accommodations.
There was a question about loaner weapons for styles that are not practiced by everyone, and the response was some of the instructors will bring many, others are happy with substitutes, but please email the organizers to ask for specific workshops.
Already started to plan next years (2026) event, so if people want to submit proposals, please write to the organizing team.
Spring Deed, May 23rd to 26th, 2025: Sean spoke to the upcoming Deed of the May Queen, or kick of reenactment event, that focuses on archery. It was noted that the event site has a separate area for modern tents and medieval tentage. Sean noted that there is a Discord channel with details and they are also posted on the main Boarstooth.net website.
Deed of Alms, Bickford Park Toronto, July 6 2025:Jed briefed on the date and site, and the intent for the deed of alms.
Trail clearing event - related to Red Knight at that site near Peterborough. Aurora will figure out some date options and run a poll via the Discord channel. We may also put up the large mess tent to practice. Conversation during the meeting suggests this may occur in June.
Red Knight, the 10th event of this name! 21st to 25th August 2025 at the farm site outside Peterborough. See the Discord and the website for full programme details. Emphasis will be on more group fighting scenarios. Note the full weekend is Thursday to Monday!
Fall Hunt - TBD - Based on Geopolitical considerations the US location is not
Blanket Coat Project - Aurora briefed on the blanket coat project for Craig. The project creates large heavy wool coats for the unhoused of Toronto. Members can donate cash or time for sewing.
Italian events: Alessio briefed us on the regular reenactment of the Battle of Castagnaro. Every year the schedule is different, between early Feb and the end of March. Christian noted he would like to gather a team from Hoplologia for 2026 or 2027. Alessio went over the schedule of some of the past events, what happens on the saturday and the sunday. There was unfortunately no 2024 event, but this was hopefully just a one off. Accommodations are normally in B&B in Castagnaro, which is approx. 1 hour from Bolognia. Christian will liaise directly with Julia and Phillipo.
In person AGM for 2026: Dominique mentioned some early thoughts on having an in person AGM in Gatineau. Aurora mentioned an idea for a self catered medieval dinner, but so far there has been issues finding a site.
Finances: Currently $900 in the bank. Ref the Peterborough site, funds from the profit for the Red Knight event will be used to finance the plans to improve the site e.g. the plan to create a bathroom block. Aurora made a comment ref mess groups making requests for subsidising purchase of cooking equipment.
Officers: None of the current Officers have asked to submit their resignations:
Aurora Simson - Confirmed by membership
Christian Cameron - Confirmed by membership
Elisabeth Beattie - Confirmed by membership
Keight McLean - absent from the meeting
Chris Kerr - confirmed by membership
Aurora is looking for a volunteer to compile a list of armour vendors that members of the group of have worked with, the list to be compiled by the end of April. Maria volunteered.
Open Floor:
note - discord sound quality was generally not the best, so we’ll probably go back to zoom next year
