The Wild Wild West!

Delighted to be able to get back in the saddle and  help out at the Western Skills Festival I founded in 2015. I'll be helping run the Whip Cracking Competitions and workshops, with a new organising committee it's moved from Black Hills of Wales to the Plains of Northampton to a larger venue that will provide totally seperate Whip Cracking and Knife Throwing Ranges together with a whole host of fun and workshops in a full range of Western Skills. Thanks to the generosity of old and new whip cracking friends and makers across the world we will be offering a range of quality whips and training DVDs as prizes.

So shake off those winter blues and get yourself down to join in the fun and learn some new skills .   

WESTERN SKILLS FESTIVAL 2018 NORTHAMPTON UK ,

10TH AND 11TH FEBRUARY 2018

TWO DAYS OF RIP ROARIING FUN AND INSTRUCTION!

4th year running, bigger and better than ever before with a new larger venue.

• WHIP CRACKING WORKSHOPS, with free to use loaner whips and safety kit, for Beginners and Performance Workshop plus Competition Skills Workshops with the UK's only National and International Performance and Competition Champion.

WHIP CRACKING COMPETITIONS , ACCURACY , FAST DRAW, SKEET SHOOTING, CANDLE SNUFFING CASH PRIZE CHALLENGE. PRIZE WHIPS TO BE WON FROM THE LEADING WHIP MAKERS AROUND THE WORLD. PLUS SIMON MARTIN TUTORIAL DVDS AND RIC BOYD FALLS.

• KNIFE / AXE THROWING WORKSHOPS FOR ALL LEVELS WITH INTERNATIONAL LEVEL INSTRUCTORS .

• COME AND TRY THE BIG BROTHER AXES AND MEET THE TEACHERS.

• KNIFE THROWING COMPETITIONS WITH CASH PRIZES

• LASSO SPINNING AND TRICK ROPING

• GUN SPINNING

• EXPERT BULLRIDING TUTION AND COMPETITIONS.

• ARCHERY workshops for all

• INTRODUCTION TO NYLON WHIP PLAITING & MAKING CRACKERS

• INTRODUCTION TO LEATHERWORK

• ITEMS FOR SALE E.G. WHIPS / KNIVES / LEATHER SHEATHS

• SATURDAY EVENING PARTY WITH LINE DANCING (BRING YOUR OWN DRINK)

• INSTANT WHIP WORKSHOP (+£18 FOR MATERIALS BUT TAKE THE WHIP YOU'VE MADE HOME - LAST TICKET SALE FOR THIS 2nd FEB)

Just £50 for the whole weekend of fun or £68 with fabulous food

Day tickets £30 or £40 with food. Free tea and coffee!!

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR OR ON LINE , for more info please see: http://westernskillsfesti.wixsite.com/westernskillsuk

And it's a goodnight from him, and a goodnight from me...

The visits and appointments are all over for this year, time for us to buckle down and finish off that last minute packing, polish the sleigh and parctice our landing techniques, we'll be in your area very soon now and hope you are all receive what you wish for with good health and happiness for all.    

“Just the most fun and magical Santa we have seen, the house, gardens and Christmas Walk was superb. ”

— Mr & Mrs T Nesbit , Bath

On with the motley..

Traced back through the mists and myths of time, from Odin and the Norse Legends , Spirit of Christmas Past , the Dutch Sinterklaas and St Nicholas himself, the Green Santa embodies all the warm friendly elements of this special time of year.

He re-appeared this year at Bryngawr Country Park in a special bower, a real green alternative to the modern red Santa Claus, based on an original interpretation of past Christmases , perfect in this woodland glade or just as at home in a stately home, it was a charming start to Christmas celebrations. 

“It seems you have stolen the hearts of Bryngawr. An absolute joy, we were so pleased he could appear again and create such special magic in this special place. Everyone loves The Green Santa ! ”

— N E Events and Promotions Manager

A right Royal Affair !!

A great honour to be asked to provide a Christmas Circus Workshop again this year for the  hundreds of children attending The Royal Mint Christmas Party. It filled the biggest hall in one of the biggest Leisure Centres in Wales (Peter taught some of the centres' managers in his sport lecturing days so it was great to catch up with them as well.)  

““ A highlight of the event! the children and adults loved the range of activities and circus equipment and the care you took to ensure they all learned something they enjoyed so much.. ”

— "Liz" Chief Elf, The Royal Mint

" There's lovely you look!"

"Charlie Christmas " spread even more joy over November up in Tonypandy in the Rhondda Valleys, famous as the site of the first International Rugby match between England and Wales this once bustling mining town rang with christmas tunes and giggles galore as  Mr Bubbles as " Charlie Christmas", challenged the children and adults alike, to see who could make the most and biggest bubbles while he checked who had been naughty and who had been nice.    

“It’s such a fun interactive act , no wonder they love you ! ”

— "Bernie" Events Co-ordinator RCT

Let there be light!

Pontypridd Town Centre resounded to the sounds of Christmas tunes and happy laughter this November as Charlie Christmas rode his interactive Musical Christmas Bubble Workshop through the High Street, stopping often to gather a crowd, have a Christmas Quiz, check who's been good, give out prizes and make many many bubbles with the help of his Christmas Elves.  

“Just wanted to say an enormous Thank You! for coming along to the “Ponty Switching On”.

Everyone I spoke to loved Mr Bubbles as “ Charlie Christmas “ on his trike! It was so lovely to see you again and hopefully you are available so we can book you again for next year? ”

— Jan Fry Senior Executive Officer Pontypridd Town Council

"More Danger in The Lakes"

High Fellside Hall, a multi million pound manor farmhouse on the edge of The Lake District became the site of some dangerous goings on for a group of ten lifetime friends who wanted to stage a reunion with a difference.

Having seen the media training we did for the launch of new The Kingsman film , The Magnificent Seven and their friend Joel Hicks, their theme was " More Danger!" 

So we came up with a melange of circus skills, a ladle full of western skills, a large dollop of zombie apocalypse sauce, a pinch of secret agent skills and just a smidgen of downright silly fun stuff to make sure their weekend away was truly memorable.    

“The range of activities you trained us in, ticked boxes on my bucket list I didn’t even know existed” ”

— Michael Stevens Digital Entrepeneur and Chef

For your own " Taste of Danger" speak to the Head Chef of Fear on 07875 826773 , email ahandfulofhats.co.uk or have a burchers hook at out Workshop pages .. " You choose , We Stand and Deliver! 

“Thank you from the heart of my bottom for the fantastic weekend, everyone who can still speak from the screaming say they had a glorious time. ”

— Brian Gumbley Financier and head bean counter.

Whips crack and ducks quack!

Enormous fun working with the cast and crew of the popular science quiz programme " Duck Quacks Don't Echo" We had to teach the Presenter Lee Mack and his star guest Danny Baker  how to crack a whip , needless to say Danny had forgotten to mention that he had been hit by a whip whilst having a go as a young man and was terrified of them , needless to say he was a trouper and got there in the end .  

“You Sir! are a natural showman! It was an enormous pleasure and great fun to work with you, many thanks for all your efforts. ”

— Lee Mack , Presenter, Comedian, Actor

The whips used were 2 X 4ft " AHOH Workshop Wonders" custom built by Rufus Ruffcut in paracord to copy some of my original  green hide Australian bullwhips and 1 X 6ft Joe Strain bull whip previouly owned by the legendary Vince Bruce. 

Home on the Range

When the extraordinary Joel Hicks, actor, photographer, extreme athlete and fundraiser wanted to add to his skills , we were delighted to visit his 14 acre homestead in the rolling countryside of Leicester and gave him a day to remember of whip cracking, knife and axe throwing, fire eating and fie whip cracking. We then worked on those to a performance level so that he can spread the joy with his charity foundation http://www.alwayswithasmile.com/ 

A full range of circus , cowboy, and "more danger" workshops are available for individual and groups please see here for more details or phone 07875 826773 or email ahandfulofhats@gmail.com 

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Watch him in action : 

Fancy being a Dinosaur for us?

Well , I may not be in the first spring of youth, but there's no reason to make a point of it! I thought when Ruth from the BBCs Natural History Unit asked me , but when she explained, I had to say Yes! 

Especially as it meant working with the legendary TV presenter and adventurer Steve Backshall on his latest programme #DeadlyDinosaurs. The theory is that the mighty Diplodoccus may have used its gigantic tail as a whip like weapon. Could Steve be taught to crack a whip like a dinosaur and test it's destructive power? With up to five cameras in use including a high speed Dragon look out for the edition in April next year , we had fun, Steve had fun , Dippy had fun. Thanks Ruth.    

Brighton Bulldog Picnic

Well it was actually Lavant but every year the Bulldog Rescue and Rehousing Society hold an annual fundraising Fete and we were delighted to be asked to support this noble cause.

With bull dogs, pug and Frenchies as far as the eye could see Charlie Bubbles was kept busy making bulldogs, flowers, swords, teddy bears, and designer dogs for the happy campers 

"Here be Dragons!"

Captain Bloodknock manned the Recruiting Office to see who wanted to join the 3rd Battalion The Royal Dragonaires!. He put them through their paces to ensure they were brave enough, strong enough and pretty enough to help guard this proud nations' Dragons.

Two fun shows were finished off by assisting the talented Mr Russell Wells in a Dragon Balloon Modelling Workshop that saw hundreds of children and adults alike making the longest mobile dragon sculpture in Wales. What fun was had!  The Dragons Tail of Fire! The Popadum Machine Gun, The Sword Fight of Doom! The Dragon Egg and Spoon Race , " How to call a Dragon" The Dance of a Thousand Dragon Tails! were just a few of the unique parts of this especially written show for Margam Parks Dragons Quest Day           

“Brilliant show at Margam Park today, the children loved it, especially the whip of fire! ”

— Richard James Allen

Wowing them in Worcester!

A wonderful workshop of wonders in the wilds of Worcester saw A Handful of Hats working with that esteemed corporate circus entertainer Thomas Trilby to deliver a day long jamboree of juggling, stilts, spinning plates, hat manipulation, diablo and a downright joyous day of fun .   

Captain Bloodknock goes potty at Ponty Lido!

Celebrating the 90th birthday of The National Lido of Wales saw Captain Bloodknock playing out the role of the Lidos' very first Baths Supervisor.. (which was quite appropriate and even funnier as Peter taught a number of the pools' existing managers whilst he was the senior sports management lecturer at Barry College :-) ) Dressed in his finest, he entertained the queues all day with period banter, stiff warnings about their behaviour and appalling dress sense....  plus a bit of magic and balloon modelling he learnt on his travels.. dontcha you know! He even took the opportunity to visit his old regiment, though why the chaps thought it was a laughing matter was beyond him! 

Circus Pony Workshops in Pontyclun

The local community have recently revived an old tradition of a traditional Village Fete in the popular hamlet of Pontyclun and have added some original twists and additions that have proved very popular. Dog shows, Childrens Games, craft burger kitchen and german sausage stall, fairground rides, picnics, a wonderful range of musical entertainment, side shows and stalls of unique local produce plus of course our very own A Handful of Hats Circus Workshop of Wonders with bi-lingual tutors and unique activities and circus skills. .   

“The children and adults had a wonderful time and thoroughly enjoyed your quality entertainment and unique teaching style ! :-) Thank you so much and can we please book you for next year? ”

— Thomas Smith Attraction Co-ordinator

"Let's go fly a kite! "

Porthcawls Summer Carnival is renowned for its' colourful Parade and it was an honour to be asked to head up this years celebration of Musical Entertainment with Flying Officer Kite and his Magnificent Musical Magical Bubblicious almost Flying Machine.  

The parade which lasts an hour and runs along the coast was topped of by a very well attended Circus Workshop at the Carnival Grounds , made all the better by a young lady who joined us last year, was so inspired by that years workshop, she promptly bought herself a unicycle and taught herself how to ride it,. we added to her skills with teaching her four ball juggling, plate spinning, hat manipulation and poi.. a happy young lady ...     

Cowboys in Cornbury! The Wild West comes to Woodstock!

Pecan Petes' Wild West  Show and Wandering Workshop Show of Wonders pulled up in this sleepy Cotsworld town this summer and set the place alight with razzle dazzle displays of gun twirling, whip cracking, roping, lasso spinning , horse racing, cowboy magic and other such tom foolery.  

“Is that moustache real? Is that gun real? Is that a real horse? Can I have your autograph?”

— Pollyanna of Andover..

Ding dong the bells are going to chime!

Will you marry us? well we couldn't say no could we? Especially as it was to be an Alice in Wonderland Wedding in deepest Dorset, and with all the guest in their best party frocks it was the perfect setting . Congratulations to Sam and Lizzy McEvilly for a glorious day and many thanks for the kind words.   

“Thank you so much, it meant the world to me and Lizzy and our day wouldn’t have been every bit as wornderful as it was without your presence, ceremony, guidance, direction and showmanship, you are an amazing and wonderful man.”

— Sam and Lizzy McEvilly Dorset

And of course in addition to the Meet and Greet, Handfasting Ceremony and Toastmastering we had to have a bit of a Mad Hatter show didn't we!   

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