Step back in time with living history in Wales

But for some repeating the past is less something to be avoided and more of a hobby.

Living History, also known as re-enactment, involves participants dressing up in authentic hand-made costumes, complete with props and other equipment, to depict a specific period in time through battle re-enactments, displays and other activities.

Enthusiasts throw themselves into the hobby, spending hours slaving over authentic clothing costumes and equipment, with attention paid to the tiniest details - even buttons or stitches must be period-accurate.

Visitors to Raglan Castle this weekend can get a first-hand taste of Living History as the venue hosts a two-day event showcasing what life was like for the Vikings.

The event will include displays and hands-on activities including cooking and basket weaving workshops, while youngsters will be able to try their hands at archery.

Alan Rogers of Caerphilly has been involved in Living History for around 25 years and is one of the founding members of the 41st Foot Re-Enactment Society, which portrays a Welsh Napoleonic-era regiment, which was based in Canada during the early 19th century, with a specific focus on the 1812 war between America and the UK.

The 57-year-old said he had first become interested in the time period when he was at school.

"My interest started in 1972 when I was at Lewis Boys Grammar School in Pengam and our history teacher took us to Cardiff to see the film Waterloo," he said.

"Then I started to get involved in war games with toy soldiers and the like.

"Later I joined a re-enactment group and eventually formed my own in 2002."

His hobby even led to Mr Rogers, an aeronautical engineer by day, being introduced to the Queen when she presented new colours to The Royal Welsh regiment in Cardiff last year.

"They wanted the entrance tunnel to be lined with people in uniform from across history so I arranged that," he said.

The group takes part in a number of demonstrations, including drills and live firing exercises.

But some of the activities are a little more intense.

Mr Rogers said: "We've just come back from an immersion event in France, where you have to live exactly as they did in the time period.

"Everything we had to eat for the two days we had to carry while we marched 25km.

"We were enacting the events after the Battle of Waterloo when the French army was retreating - it was fascinating."

Authentic costumes are an important part of Living History, and Mr Rogers said ensuring the clothes were up to scratch is an important part of the hobby.

"I make a lot of the uniforms at the kit," he said.

"I've got a little workshop in what used to be the garage.

"But there are a lot of traders out there - metalwork is a pain but we buy it all from Canada.

"I do have some original weapons like an original sword and pistol, although I don't often use them in case they get damaged."

The group has members from Caerphilly, Cardiff, Swansea and further afield with ages ranging from 60 to early 20s, but Mr Rogers said membership had dwindled in recent years.

"At the moment we are quite small," he said.

"At one point we had 50 or 60 members, but at the moment we are down to the teens.

"I put it down to the recession - unfortunately that tends to hit hobbies.

"And some of the original guys are getting older.

"It's a challenge to recruit new members, but we've just landed a few new guys from Newtown."

But he said he would encourage anyone with an interest in any part of history to get involved.

"I enjoy every part of it," he said.

"I do a lot of research into the regiment and I enjoy making the uniform to requirements.

"The whole thing is just awesome.

"My wife calls it my obsession."

Anyone who isn't as keen on military-style re-enactments can get involved as well.

Emma Ross takes part in events as a medieval apothecary with re-enactment group the Cardiff Castle Garrison.

The 35-year-old from Cardiff, who is a business analyst in her day job, said she had first got involved in Living History about ten years ago after visiting events attended by other re-enactment groups.

But she said she had been interested in history from a young age.

"The thing that tipped it for me was when I was seven I was given a brochure for the Yorvik Viking Centre (in York)," she said.

"The pictures in the book really sparked my imagination."

She said she takes part in demonstrations and talks and was particularly interested in the decade around 1370, a time of great upheaval and societal change.

"I've studied herbal medicine and I am a qualified aromatherapist so I know what the plants can do and I can make things which are not harmful," she said.

"Some people come along and expect me to be a medical expert so I have to make it clear it's all for entertainment."

Like Mr Rogers, Ms Ross said her costume was a big part of her hobby.

"Re-enactors get quite excited about cloth," she said.

"It has to be authentic so we need to find the right sort of cloth like wool or linen which won't burst into flames by a fire.

"A lot of the more modern clothes are synthetic so that's no good.

"There's a medieval market two times a year in the Midlands so I go up there to buy things as well."

She said the best first step for anyone interested in getting involved in Living History was to look online.

"A lot of people start out looking on the internet on forums and get a feel for the sort of times they want to be representing," she said.

"Or you can talk to people at events to find out more."

But don't be surprised if your friends find it a bit baffling, she added.

"At work it's a bit of curiosity," she said.

Tickets to this weekend's Viking event at Raglan Castle are £6 per adult and £4.20 for children, students and adults over 60.

For more information or to book tickets call 01291 690 228.

To find out more about the 41st Foot Re-enactment society visit 41st-foot.co.uk or call Mr Rogers on 07988 720265.

For more information on the Cardiff Castle Garrison visit cardiffcastlegarrison.wordpress.com.