About us

Formed in 1991, NAReS is now recognised as the only national body to not only represent around 18,000 people who re-create history but also as the organisation working for the benefit of those who employ and watch such representations.

Our mission is to lead standards in safety and professionalism within historical re-enactment. We achieve this by acting as a liaison and negotiating body between government and other legislative bodies, those who implement such policies such as the Health and Safety Executive, Home Office and National Police Chiefs Council and those in the membership of NAReS.

We publish guidance on a wide range of relevant topics, hold conferences and act as a forum for re-enactment societies throughout the United Kingdom.

Our aims and objectives are fivefold:

  • To provide Codes of Practice

    to act as a framework for the safe, realistic and authentic recreation of all periods of history;

  • To advance and represent

    the interests of re-enactors of all periods of history;

  • To instigate and promote

    contact, and maintain liaison, with display organisers and Government bodies both British and foreign;

  • To keep the Associations's members

    informed of intended legislation or other information relevant to re-enactment;

  • To encourage and support contact

    between member societies and other bodies.

Since its formation, NAReS has been officially recognised as representative of re-enactment by government departments and bodies, the police (including The National Police Chiefs Council), and the armed services.

Your society's membership shows involvement, commitment and a willingness to comply with recognised standards.

To date, NAReS has been instrumental in a number of key issues which could have had crippling consequences on the re-enactment industry, including:
  • Gaining a legal definition of re-enactment in the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006;
  • Gaining a defence to purchasing a replica imitation firearm in the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006;
  • By consultation with ACPO, re-enactment is now recognised by as a legitimate reason for being granted a section 1 or 2 firearms certificate;
  • Providing invaluable consultation with regards to the legislation on samurai swords;
  • Consulted with the Health and Safety executive in relation to new legislation over the transport and storage of black powder
  • Gaining a defence for the purchasing and possession of knives and bladed weapons for use in re-enactment actives in The Offensive Weapons Act 2019;
  • Continuous monitoring of Legislation and Regulation changes affecting Weapons used in re-enactment, Equestrian Livestock and other animals used in re-enactment.