AFRA is a constantly evolving project. From it’s inception in 1998 as a small group of re-enactors portraying German Soldiers of WWII it grew into a well established Association of individuals. These individuals undertook a wide variety of German portrayals and the diversity added to what they did. AFRA continued to develop and expand its remit until in the Autumn of 2007 the decision was made to open the membership to ALL Living Historians and Re-enactors covering the 20th Century.

This was done to enable more people to come together, free of the restraints placed upon them by individual group loyalty or prejudice. To enable people to be valued for who they are rather than what they do. With recent legislation and possibly more to come, AFRA is there to give solid information, guidance and support to ordinary law abiding people, engaged in a wonderful and colourful hobby. AFRA gives so that people are free to concentrate on what interests them most – The weekend pursuit of their hobby and the research and effort that makes it all worthwhile.

Already AFRA has established a relationship with the relevant department and persons within the Home Office and this will serve to ensure accurate communications and a healthy dialogue between re-enactors and Government. There is a need for a recognised body and steadily, AFRA will build upon the initial contact to deepen and strengthen this. The VCR Bill brought a raft of legislation that AFRA quickly disseminated and put into place healthy defences. Already we have tested the procedures for buying Realistic Imitation Firearms and they are holding good. Legitimate people have nothing to fear and AFRA will ensure you are well informed and safe.

AFRA is not intrusive. The Association does not have any input or control over groups. It merely serves members who may or may not be part of those groups. Individuals can particularly benefit from membership as for the first time they can be part of a bona fide organisation that legitimises their portrayal. AFRA works with a wide range of people to enhance what we do. Organisers, Vehicle owners, Film, TV, Museums, Venues. We have our finger on the pulse and we know the patient is healthy.

ABOUT MEMBERSHIP

All persons aged 16 or above actively engaged in relevant aspects of Living History or Re-enactment of the period specified are able to apply for membership. AFRA is not about GROUPS. Groups do not join AFRA. People however, do. Your group may apply to be affiliated to the association should it decide to recommend its members join the Association unanimously. Membership runs from Jan 1 to Dec 31 of the year. At present it costs £15.00 per annum and for this the member gets:

Admittance to a Members Area of the Website.
Admittance to the Members Forum
Access to the Events Section where they may inform the Association of their intent to attend a show on the calendar.
Access to the Risk Assessment Section where they may compile an online Risk Assessment to qualify for the relevant insurance.
Comprehensive Insurance Cover for Living History/re-enactment activities.

(This includes – Third Party Public Liability Insurance, Theft cover from, to and at an event, Theft cover of items stored securely at home. Member to Member cover. Cover for Vehicles when not covered by the Road Traffic Act (in an arena or behind a rope on a display) Personal accident Cover.*)

*some of these components are subject to conditions and have limits and excesses. The excess should be paid by the individual making the claim) Activities covered include Static Display, Interaction with the Public, Firepower Displays, Battle Recreation/re-enactment Displays, use of Pyrotechnics, Firearms, cartridges, Cannons and Black Powder, operating on, in or near a vehicle, Living History events.

Membership also means inclusion into a rapidly growing network of like minded people keen to build a new 21st Century hobby. To cast out the old attitudes, practice and prejudices that have held us back for so long. AFRA will also offer weekends, courses, experiences and opportunities to improve, share, learn and educate both within the membership and outside to a wider audience. We intend to run safety courses on firearms and pyrotechnics. We intend to facilitate the holding of weekend events where fieldcraft can be practiced, uniform and equipment knowledge can be shared. Visits are planned and it is hoped that members will come forward with projects they want us to help them realise.

ABOUT THE FUTURE

Who knows? The future is uncertain but by no means doom and gloom. Outside of actual re-enactment, events are becoming more and varied. New demands are being placed upon the community and AFRA will rise to meet the challenges and issues they bring. AFRA hopes to bring fresh life to the hobby. It is far from stale but there are many new things to be injected into it and many old things to be rediscovered. One thing AFRA has NEVER done and never will – is STAND STILL. We recognised and seize new ideas and best practice. We work for ourselves and the membership to constantly improve. We listen. We understand. We work.

2008 will see an expansion of AFRA. We believe this is evidence of the faith people are putting in us. We also believe it is because this is the way to go. No power. No big say in group affairs. Just commitment and the desire to see the hobby strengthen and grow. Why has no other organisation managed this rapid growth in 25 years? Why hasn’t this been put into action before today? That doesn’t matter – what matters is – NOW there is a body that represents you - without favour or prejudice. A body that says – the individual is the key. Groups can and have fended for themselves for a long time. So long may they continue. Individuals united under one banner will achieve so much more – and many of you are thinking along the same lines. Together we will see 2008 change the face of re-enactment for the better.

AFRA will continue to do this and will provide bigger and better experiences for a wider range of people. There are no closed doors in AFRA – AFRA is for the individual and it is for the whole hobby. The only person who stops you walking through that door is yourself.