Northwest Vision and Media, create the bigger picture
Lancashire Enjoys Medieval Times
RICHARD Timson is every inch a Knight in Shining Armour. Dressed in medieval attire and in full command of his trusty steed, he parades around the arena at Camelot Theme Park, in Lancashire, and has his audience enthralled, watching his every move.
But that is just the day job. For when Richard isn’t in his full regalia, he’s at the head of his business empire, Medieval World, which he runs with wife Sue from offices close to Camelot, in Chorley.
And this month, Richard’s company has been chosen as Facility of the Month for Northwest Vision and Media, which works on behalf of the region’s film, TV and digital media industry.
“It’s great to be recognised for the work we do, and to be named Facility of the Month,” says Richard. “We’ve been in the business for 35 years, and it’s quite a specialised field, but you can never just sit back and relax. We’re constantly looking at new ways of improving what we do and what we offer,” he adds.
Medieval World currently has three sides to the business. “We produce and perform live shows for Camelot Theme Park and Warwick Castle, we have a costume department which designs and makes costumes for our shows as well as for film and TV productions and we manufacture props for medieval shows,” explains Richard.
From September, there’ll be a fourth dimension added – Knight School. “We’ll offer intensive, one or two-week horse-riding training, mainly to actors who need to be able to ride for a film or TV role, but we’ll also train members of the public, too,” adds Richard.
Rarely will Richard allow an opportunity to pass him by. That’s always been his mantra.
“After I left school I went to do my horse society exams and the guy I was working for at the time used to go to medieval practice nights in Nottingham. I went along one night, and was hooked,” says Richard, who has since devoted his entire career to horses, and all they can do.
From filmwork, TV, themed events, advertising and publicity, if horses are involved, then so too is Richard and his team.
“In 1972 I was offered a season in a castle in North Wales, and from there I toured the States, South Africa and Spain with my jousting show, then returned to tour castles in this country,” he explains. In 1988 he decided to base himself at Camelot Theme Park.
“The company has grown and evolved and is much more diverse now, than when I started,” says Richard. “Over time I found some things worked, some trends come and go. Today, we’re dedicated to the entertainment world, film, TV and leisure.
“A lot of production companies seem to think that if they need anything to do with horses and stunts then they have to go south to get it, but they don’t. We’re here with a wealth of experience in Lancashire, and we can supply all their needs.”
Richard has previously supplied horses and riders to Paramount, 20th Century Fox, Granada and Yorkshire TV.
His team of riders currently has four members who are trained stunt men, and they’re often asked to double for actors who need to be seen riding – or falling – from a horse. When they’re not working for film or TV, Richard’s team and 18 horses are still kept busy. “We stage jousting tournaments, Wild West displays, gladiator fights, Roman battles, Arabian knight shows, anything to do with horses, we can provide,” he says.
With the launch of Knight School, Richard is hoping for even more exposure of his craft. “We have a wealth of talent within our teams, and I’m keen to pass on our knowledge,” he says.
“I think people have always been infatuated with knights and medieval traditions, so our shows always attract an excellent response from audiences. From a single steed performing right on cue, to a corral of horses and skilled riders performing in an international movie production, we can do it all,” says Richard.
As he strides around the arena at Camelot, acting as King
Arthur, Richard and his crew completely captivate the crowd. From
trick riding and stunts, to jousting and jesters, Medieval World
takes centre stage – but it’s the horses which steal
the show.
Contact Medieval Times
Richard Timson
E: richard.timson@medievalworld.co.uk
T: 01257 452900
