The final days of the Maldon in Winter Festival and the school holidays resulted in some interesting sights around Maldon. Visitors bustled amongst primary school portraits and kids of all ages rolled candle wax. Neon lights in glorious rainbow-coloured configurations danced across the facade of Maldon Hotel. And there was also the day of the Knight.

On Thursday 17 July, the mythical Knight in Shining Armour became a reality for participants in a drawing session with Greg Nash, who is a professional jouster from Kryall Castle (one of only two in Australia, guess where the other one works?). Greg explained that jousting is a genuine extreme sport with international competitions. His own armour exhibits the 14th Century style, with some personalised features. “I made it myself,” he said. “Because I could.” Normally squires help Greg to dress in the multiple layers required for full armour, including a padded jacket underneath, but in Maldon he was assisted by Melissa, who works at Sovereign Hill (“a couple of centuries ahead of Greg.”). The two of them enjoy historical and fantasy re-enactment, though Greg confessed that posing for the ‘Knight Drawing’ sessions were not made comfortable by the chain-link and heavy metal.

On Friday 18 July, in the cosy rear room of MANet Gallery, the constant hum of a hairdryer was a clear but puzzling clue that visitors were melting beeswax to roll it into aromatic candles. It was an activity arranged by Warral Honey and Maldon in Winter, with Warral’s Business Support Officer Kate cheerfully explaining the process. “It’s simple, it’s quick, they smell so good. You can’t really mess it up and if you do it’s easy to fix,” Kate said of this fantastic and fun activity. “It is getting the community involved and also being part of the community.”

Laurie and Lenny had a great time, fully focused on rolling their candles, and said they were planning to give them away as gifts.

This article appeared in the Tarrangower Times, 25 July 2025.