The Greatest Military Show on Earth- and it is on our very Doorstep at Hythe.
This year the War & Peace Revival will be at it’s permanent site on the old Folkestone Racecourse (RAF Westernhanger during the War) and will be a five day event, staged from 22 – 26 July 2015. The show is so massive it is impossible to see everything in one day. To give a taste of some of the things visitors will be able to see we include pictures and articles from the 2013 and 2014 events.
Some of the Highlights of 2014
Rex Cadman’s new venue proved an outstanding success in 2013. The easy access from the all parts of the UK and Continent made the event a sure fire success and the excellent grandstand, buildings, facilities and large acreage inherited from the old Folkestone Racecourse have been adapted with ease to make the site into an open air theatre with few equals anywhere in the world.
The Channel Tunnel car and lorry terminal is just a couple of miles from the site and the Port of Dover is just a few miles down the A20. The High Speed Train stopped at Westernhanger Station, which adjoins the site, on the War & Peace weekend.
There are good rail and coach services from all over the mainland to Folkestone, Hythe and Ashford. All adjacent towns have excellent hotel accommodation and there are many public attractions in the area to enhance a long or short term holiday.
The 2013 Revival was outstanding, how could it possibly be bettered in 2014?
Rex Cadman always seems to achieve the impossible year on year. Looking through the list of events included in the 2014 show gives a clue. There were features more packed into the event than ever before, even bigger and better attractions, battle re-enactment, demonstrations. More entertainers, more vehicle exhibits and extra trade stands made for an amazing spectacle The 2014 event commemorated the Centenary year of the First World War and to mark this momentous occasion, Rex Cadman commissioned a bronze statute Bearing the insignia of East Kent’s The Buffs, the 9 foot tall soldier is advancing through the trenches, bayonet drawn and ready for action.
The Victory Marquee
The Victory Marquee, hosted by comedian Viv the Spiv, introduced “A feast of frolics and fun, a mass of music and mirth, a cart load of comedy, a barrel of burlesque and a double dose of dance served up every day”.
In addition to the regular programme, there were surprise appearances by special guests, including well known cast members from the popular television series ‘Allo ‘Allo! and on Saturday at 2pm, the famed Military Wives Choir from Shorncliffe performed to a packed audience.
2014 performers include the Swingtime Sweethearts, Adam Hoffman, Luna Nightingale, Madeline Brown, Sincerely Yours, Scott Elvis, the Peekaboos and many others.
The Jive Aces “the world’s hardest working band” were back. “That’s Show Business”, every afternoon at The Victory Marquee featured Viv the Spiv, the “Compere with a wink in his eye, a witty joke on the end of his tongue and a dodgy deal up his sleeve! Be entertained but don’t fall for his cockney charm!”
The Swingtime Sweethearts, Annie and LeArna, Miss Kitten Von Mew – Recalling the vintage days of vaudeville, Kitten served up a delightful cocktail of family-friendly burlesque and song.
Magician Adam Hoffman, Luna Nightingale, Madeline Brown and Scott Elvis, a brilliant Elvis impersonator popped up in Bars, Theatres and open air spontaneous performances around the showground.
Sincerely Yours, a mother and daughter duo, Jeanette and Tiffany were very popular in this year’s show.
Then there were ‘The Peekaboos, “From the Can Can to a novel routine featuring lots of balloons, these girls take a hilarious and cheeky swipe at the world of vintage burlesque. All done, of course, in the best possible taste!”
Gypsy John and Karen performed dance routines from the 1930s and 1940s.
Evening entertainment for those staying onsite overnight included:
Wednesday – 8pm to midnight ~ “Good Morning Vietnam”
Thursday – 8pm to midnight ~ Rock and Roll, Jive and Stroll
Friday 18th July 2014 7.30pm to 1.00am~ An evening with the Jive Aces in the Victory Marquee. Tickets £15 per person. An eagerly awaited event is the special Friday Night Dance. Plus Kitten Von Mew in cabaret.
Saturday 19th July 2014 7.30pm to 1.00am ~ John Miller and his Orchestra ~ in the Victory Marquee. Tickets £25 per person.
The John Miller Orchestra – formerly The Herb Miller Orchestra – is the only Big Band performing the music of Glenn Miller with direct family links to the great man himself, in the form of John Miller, his nephew. In the Miller family, there were three brothers and a sister. In order of appearance they were Dean, Glenn, Herb and Irene. Herb was John’s father which makes Glenn, John’s uncle. Herb Miller developed his musical talent very much under the guidance of his elder brother Glenn, and went on to form various bands in America. Herb’s budding career was cut short by a stint in the Army at Fort Ord California where, after his discharge, he settled in Pacific Grove on the Southern tip of the Monterey Bay. There, to great acclaim, he taught music in several schools and, being a practical man, personally built a house big enough to rehearse a big band in and, probably secondarily, raise his four children. Music was always the main driving force, focal point and ultimate aim of Herb Miller. Many years after the disappearance of Glenn, Herb was given the opportunity and decided he wanted to recreate the Miller Magic and form an orchestra to play the music of his brother. Herb had worked in America for many years with his son John. John started playing bass with his father’s band at the tender age of 15 and shortly thereafter, in addition, became the band’s singer. Nepotism was alive and well in the Miller family. Herb’s oldest daughter came into the band on piano, his youngest son, in time, joined the trumpet section and the baby of the family, Janet, started singing at 12. When they decided to form the Herb Miller Orchestra in Great Britian John became his business partner, and the featured singer with the band. John and Herb built an organisation which now contains some of the best musicians in the country. There are still two of the original members that have been with the band for 32 years and the rest range in service time from 30 years down to 12 years with the odd “newcomer” with only 4 or 5 years on the roster.
“John is the nephew of Glenn Miller so can rightly claim to be the true inheritor of the famed “Miller” sound and fans of the Big Band era loved his performance which included a period inspired meal and a 1940s floor show and featured the best of song and dance, a jive competition and swing music from a trio of top DJs, Terry Elliott, Gypsy John and Jeff’s Two-Tone Boogie”.
The Vintage Marquee
The Vintage Marquee brought together Vintage activities and entertainment. Including music, dance lessons, fashion shows, hair and make-up demonstrations, style advice, pin-up photography and related activities each afternoon!
Miss Maybe, actress and burlesque performer hosted the daily event which also included a free make-over and best-dressed competitions.
Free evening entertainment is only available for wristband holders. Don’t miss out on the fabulous atmosphere as the sun goes down. Public camping is available so you can stay on site and make the most of this five-day spectacular!
Evening entertainment for those staying onsite overnight (free for wristbands holders) includes:
Wednesday 8pm to midnight ~ “That’s Show Business”
Thursday 8 pm to midnight ~ “The Vintage Showcase”
Friday 7.30 -10.30pm ~ “Keep The Home Fires Burning”
Friday 10.30pm to midnight ~ “Buttons, Bows, Bodices, Bloomers and Bottoms” (over 16s only)
Saturday 8pm to 11pm ~ “Keep The Home Fires Burning”
Saturday 11pm to 12.30am ~ “Buttons, Bows, Bodices, Bloomers and Bottoms” (over 16s only)
Ginger’s Bar and Marquee
Continuing for 2014 is “Ginger’s” Bar and Marquee. Always popular with re-enactors at War and Peace , this provides A mix of live tribute bands and popular DJ music.
Wednesday 16th July 2014 – Burst
Thursday 17th July 2014 – M’larki
Friday 18th July 2014 – The Kingsdown Band
Saturday 19th July 2014 – The New Notes
Convoys 2014
Wednesday 16th July – Monty’s Pride – All types of WWII British and Commonwealth Vehicles
Thursday 17th July – Dannatt’s Convoy – All types of Post War Vehicles
Friday 18th July – Patton’s Parade – All types of WWII American Vehicles
Saturday 19th July – Reo Thunder – All types of Reos
Last year convoys assembled in the Main Arena at 18.30pm for 19.00pm departure. The 10 mile route went through Hythe, along the seafront to Seabrook then back past Hythe to the Racecourse. Rubber tracks Iike half tracks and scimitars took part if road legal but tanks could not partake due to the route. Route to be confirmed for 2014.
Book Signing
Book signing and the opportunity to have conversations with authors have long been a feature of War and Peace. They were back again this year.
Displays
There were many displays including tanks, artillery, armoured and amphibious vehicles, cars, Jeeps, bicycles and motorbikes, emergency and commercial vehicles plus many others.
Living History scenes provided a unique picture of life in conflict with depictions from WW1 to the present – British soldiers living in trenches, GIs in Vietnam, Russians relaxing with an accordion after a hard day in battle, or Germans plotting their next moves! At all times the re-enactors adhered to a strict moral code in their displays.
For modellers, an extensive display of some top class models was presented in the Airfix Model World Hall, attracting enthusiasts from around the world. The craftsmen were always willing to share their knowledge and experience. For modellers, The War and Peace Revival is a unique opportunity to see the full-sized versions of their models just by walking outside!
Aircraft
The War and Peace Battle of Britain Experience was a prominent exhibit with its full-sized replica Spitfire, Hurricane and Me 109. Attended by a superb group of RAF and ATA re-enactors who gave incredible authenticity, these planes have attended many air shows and events the year and the Spitfire has been used as an educational tool in schools, accompanied by a genuine WW2 Spitfire pilot.
Ginger’s Motorcycle Ride-out
Friday 18th July 2014
Leaving in front of Main Grandstand at 11am.
All ages of Motorcycles exhibiting at The War and Peace Revival show were invited to join in on this popular event.
They cruised in convoy at a leisurely pace through the country lanes surrounding the Racecourse and stopped at a local pub for a light lunch and refreshments.
Tank & Helicopter Rides
Tank and Helicopter rides returned to the 2014 event. They were a popular feature of the show with all age groups.
Vintage Funfair
The War and Peace Revival would not be complete without a Vintage Funfair. Today’s children got the same thrills as did their parents and grandparents in the 50’s and 60’s.
Arena Action
Arena actions started at 10am each morning and was viewd by many thousands before finishing at around five pm. each day.
Vintage Village
For those who wanted a little more glamour in their lives, there was plenty of style in the Vintage Village – a dedicated area showed what life was like away from the barracks and the battlefield. Home Front re-enactors and demonstrators demonstrated the hardships endured by both men and women left behind. Civilian vehicles, peace-time activities and re-enactors all combined to create a vision of the social backdrop against which several 20th Century wars were fought.
Trade Stalls
Trade stalls gave collectors and shoppers the opportunity to browse through marquees packed full of treasures including militaria, antiquities, vehicle parts, books, memorabilia, clothing and uniforms and all manner of essential finds for the discerning enthusiast – everything from a shirt button to a tank!
Vintage Market Place
The fabulous Vintage Market Place where visitors shopped till they dropped among original vintage and retro clothing, home-wares and memorabilia boutiques. This was also the place for many hair and make up demonstrations – the Hairaid Shelter worked with the team in the V Marquee on make-overs and did demonstrations in the Vintage Market Place.
From “Rye’s Own” July 2014 and other “Rye’s Own” Sources.
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