Summer Events Guide 2013

Each month, Military History Matters’s ‘On Manoeuvres’ section brings you details of Britain’s finest history-themed activities, from lecture days and air shows, to militaria fairs and re-enactments. With summer soon upon us, we take this opportunity to draw particular attention to six of the best indoor and outdoor events taking place over the coming months.

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Weetwood Hall

Weetwood Hall Conference Centre and Hotel is launching its First World War In Retrospect Conference from 28 July 2014 to 1 August 2014. This is to acknowledge the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War, and will be the first in a series of annual conferences based upon the First World War to be hosted at Weetwood Hall through to 2018. The five-day conference will cater for residential and non-residential participation, with all the accommodation, catering, and events included in the conference programme.

The conference has been planned – by Dr Peter Liddle, Conference Director, and Colonel Alan Roberts, Military Consultant – for like-minded enthusiasts and experts to listen, reflect, network, and acquire a fresh perspective.

All this and more is to be brought to the delegates at this imaginative conference by a team of talented men and women accustomed to sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm with audiences from a wide-ranging interest in the First World War.

Peter Chubb, Development Director for Weetwood Hall said, ‘I am inspired by what we have achieved in the researching and organising of the extensive programme, quality speakers, and events for our 2014 First World War Conference. Working with Dr Liddle and Colonel Roberts has been a most enjoyable experience.”’

WHEN: From 28th July 2014 to 1st August 2014 WHERE: Weetwood Hall, Conference Centre & Hotel, Otley Road, Leeds, LS16 5PS HOW MUCH: For information on prices, please visit the website. WEB: www.weetwood.co.uk/firstworldwar

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1940s Weekend

Experience the 1940s lifestyle as the Railway turns back the clock to wartime Britain. Enjoy flying displays by iconic wartime planes – the Hurricane and Spitfire from the Biggin Hill Heritage Hanger – singing by Lady Ella, a polished professional, delivering the sound of the with sophistication and a splash of fun, and dancing from the foot-tapping Cinque Ports Lindy Hoppers. Vintage vehicles and authentic costumes from the period and a 1940s village scene will be on view with wartime cookery demonstrations. Steam trains run all weekend, and your train ticket gains entry to the event and includes unlimited train travel.

WHEN: 18th & 19th May HOW MUCH: Adult £16.00, Senior £15.00, Child (3 – 15) £11.00, Family (2 adults 3 children or 1 adult and 4 children) £45.00 WHERE: Kent & East Sussex Railway, Tenterden Town Station, Station Road, Kent, Tenterden, TN30 6HE WEB: www.kesr.org.uk

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‘Pack Up Your Troubles’ – a Great War weekend

The Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment wearing appropriate military and civilian costume are camping at Tenterden! Authentic equipment displayed will include a General Service Wagon, Lewis Machine Gun Cart, and Water Cart. There will be a Casualty Reception Facility, Recruitment Hall, Period Photography, and Bell Tent encampment. Enjoy Tiger Moth flying displays, drills, demonstrations, and live music. Visitors can also take advantage of a full steam train service to visit the loving restored Cavell Van, built in 1919 and historically significant for conveying the remains of three war heroes: Nurse Edith Cavell, Captain Charles Fryatt and the Unknown Warrior.

WHEN: 29th & 30th June HOW MUCH: Adult £15.00, Senior £14.00, Child (3 – 15) £10.00, Family (2 adults & 3 children or 1 adult and 4 children) £42.00 WHERE: Kent & East Sussex Railway, Tenterden Town Station, Station Road, Kent, Tenterden, TN30 6HE WEB: www.kesr.org.uk

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Battle Proms

The UK’s premier picnic concert series, the Battle Proms, takes traditional picnic proms to new heights, with soul-stirring classical music, tear jerking Spitfire displays, cavalry, cannons, and a flag waving, sing-a-long finale of proms favourites with fantastic fireworks.

Starting at Burghley House in Lincolnshire on 6 July, and with five other stunning venues around the country to choose from (including Blenheim Palace and Highclere Castle, now better known as Downton Abbey), the Battle Proms is an exceptional night out not to be missed!

WHEN: 6 July 2013. Gates open 4.30pm. Concert ends approx 10.30pm WHERE: Burghley House, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 £JY Other venues: Blenheim Palace Oxfordshire, 13 July Hatfield House, Hertfordshire, 20 July Highclere Castle, Berkshire, 3 August Althorp Park, Northamptonshire, 10 August Ragley Hall, Warwickshire, 31 August HOW MUCH: Tickets: £31.50 until 30 April, £34 from 1 May, children (5-15) £16. 4 and under go free. If available, tickets are £39 on the gate WEB: Order online at www.battleproms.com PHONE: 01432 355 416 (box office)

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History Live!

On Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 July at History Live!, over 2,000 re-enactors and performers will bring Kelmarsh Hall in Northamptonshire to life with the sights and sounds of England through the ages. With thrilling set piece battles, spectacular displays of skill, atmospheric living history encampments, and the chance to get hands-on with history, the flagship English Heritage event promises to be as exciting as ever this year.

Highlights include gripping re-enactments of the Battle of Hastings and The Wars of the Roses, while Drop Zone D-Day sees paratroopers, tanks, and armoured vehicles put on a real spectacle of WWII colour and drama. Popular favourites making an appearance include the knights of the Grand Medieval Joust, as well as the bloodthirsty gladiators of Anglo-Roman Britain.

There will be talks with historical experts covering wide-ranging subjects from the Norman Conquest to the Battle of Bannockburn, as well as a food and drink court with a traditional carvery, a rare-breed barbecue, and a real ale bar. For tickets and info, call 0870 333 1183 or log onto www.historylive.com

WHEN: Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st July 2013 WHERE: Kelmarsh Hall, Harborough Rd Kelmarsh, Northamptonshire NN6 9LY HOW MUCH: Weekend tickets from £17.50 Adults (members) and £51.50 Family (members) WEB: www.historylive.com

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Military Odyssey

As Military Odyssey enters its 13th year the show continues to have re-enactment groups covering 2000 years of history and conflict. Visitors and serious collectors will also have the opportunity to browse hundreds of trader stalls.

See history come alive with Legio Secunda Augusta (Romans),The Hoplite (Ancient Greeks),Regia Anglorum, and the Knights of Draum (Celts, Vikings, Saxons and Normans). The WWI experience will be moving to a larger area and there will be WWII displays and major battles with tanks, aircraft, and plenty of bangs. Military vehicle owners will be doing a rolling display around the battlefield, and this year we have a large Vietnam contingent with displays and explosive battles, as well as modern desert bastion with weaponry and vehicles.

The event is the world’s largest of its type and great family entertainment for all ages.

So, if you and your family are interested in any period of History, then make a date to visit Military Odyssey.

WHEN: 24-26 August 2013, 9.30am-6pm WHERE: Kent Show Ground, Detling, Kent, ME14 3JF HOW MUCH: One-day ticket Adults £15.30, under-15s £9.30, Family ticket £45. Two-day ticket Adults £27.50, under-15s £16.75. Three-day ticket Adults £41.50, children £25 WEB: www.military-odyssey.com

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To see this article as it appeared in issue 33 of Military History Matters, click here.