The early days of the weekend celebrating Tolkien's life and work were called 'Fun at the Mill' and members of several amateur drama groups came together to contribute costumed readings in the

courtyard of Sarehole Mill.

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2003 saw the name changed to The Tolkien Weekend and the company presented Farmer Giles of Ham for the first time, in the courtyard of Sarehole Mill.

By 2004 regular members had formed Shire Productions and were now presenting excerpts from Tolkien's works in nearby Moseley Bog where Tolkien and his brother Hilary played as children.

    Tolkien 2005 saw Shelob lurking within Moseley Bog. 

The Company also presented Farmer Giles of Ham at Tolkien 2005, the international gathering for Tolkien fans held at Aston University in Birmingham.

In 2006 members of  Shire Productions  presented excerpts from The Hobbit on the field  at Sarehole Mill.  Although on the main field instead of Moseley Bog it was a wet weekend and very boggy nevertheless

 Riddles in the dark  Roast Mutton

2008 saw another change of name to The Middle Earth Weekend.     Shire Productions presented Beowulf in the Bog, otherwise known as The Abbreviated Beowulf.