War & Peace Revival Starts Tuesday at Whitbread Hop Garden Showground

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Westenhanger, home of Folkestone Racecourse, has lost the greatest
show of military vehicles in the world because the organisers are
not certain the venue will be available on a long term basis due to
the proposal of a massive housing development on the Racecourse.
The move has brought the show closer to Rye just a 50 minute drive
up the A21  to Whitbread Hop Garden Show ground at Beltring.
Hopping Back in Time!
The War and Peace Revival 2017 will make a welcome return to the Hop
Farm, Kent on the 25th to 29th July. The announcement that the event
is returning to what many regard as the show’s ‘spiritual home’ has
caused quite a ‘buzz’ with this year’s preparations. The show is
the world’s greatest celebration of military history and vintage lifestyle
and following the announcement of the move to Hop Farm, the organisers
have been inundated with bookings from military vehicle owners, re-enactment
groups and traders and many more that have never attended the show
before or have not attended since the event moved to Folkestone racecourse.
The War and Peace Revival attracts thousands of visitors on each
of the five days with many camping onsite to enjoy the festival atmosphere.
Vehicles
Thousands of military vehicles from around the world representing
armies of the 20th Century will be on show including tanks, armoured
and amphibious vehicles, cars, jeeps, artillery, motorbikes, emergency
vehicles and commercial vehicles. All vehicles are lovingly restored
to their former glory by dedicated vehicle enthusiasts who are only
too willing to share the stories behind their vehicles.

Pictures from previous shows


Living History
Using original and accurate reproduction equipment the living history
scenes will provide a unique picture of life in conflict with depictions from WW1 to the present. Groups include British troops living in trenches, GIs in
Vietnam, US Army Rangers and Delta’s in the battle of Mogadishu and
WW2 German units in the field. The attention to detail is stunning
and the level of historical knowledge each member possesses
about the unit represented adds a valued educational aspect to the
displays.
Arena
The arena is a focal point of the show with a constant programme that
features battle re-enactments, vehicle competitions and demonstrations.
Heavy armour, artillery and troops will move in to position as the
arena turns into an explosive battle ground with re-enactments of
battles from WW1 to more recent conflicts.
Home Front – Vintage Village
For those who want a little more glamour in their lives, there will
be plenty of style in the Vintage Village – a dedicated area for all
things vintage and an exciting focus to the Peace element of the Show’s
title.
Living history groups, dioramas and individual displays will make
up the wartime village, depicting civilian life in War time Britain
showing what life was like away from the barracks and the battlefield.
Home Front re-enactors and demonstrators will show the hardships endured by both men and women ”back home”.

Civilian vehicles, peace-time activities and re-enactors will
all combine to create a vision of the social backdrop against which
WW2 was fought. (Building began earlier this year on the frontages,
video on Facebook, posted 11th April) Models
An extensive display of highly detailed and realistic scale models
will be on display, bringing enthusiasts from around the world. The
attention to detail on these models is remarkable and the craftsmen
are always willing to share their knowledge and experience with other
keen hobbyists. The War and Peace Revival is a unique opportunity
to see the full-sized versions of some of their models in action just
by walking outside.
Entertainment
Discover the Britain at War’s Victory Marquee with all its elegance
bringing the 1940s to life with the best family entertainment from
the mid-20th Century. With a super daily line-up of singers, dancers
and comedians it’s the place to go for a proper old fashioned ‘knees-up”.
By night the Victory Marquee is the venue for the War and Peace Revival
Variety Show with music, dancing and a star studded cast of some of
the best acts around. The Spitfire Bar offers a lively alternative venue with bands
and a resident DJ each night during the show. For a quieter drink
in surroundings with a classy ‘retro’ feel the ‘Gentleman’s Lounge’
is the place to relax and unwind.
Step back in time at the War and Peace Revival 2017 and become part
of the world’s greatest celebration of military history and vintage
lifestyle. With mini-tank rides, steam train rides and activities
for the children there really is something for all the family, and
accompanied children aged 15 and under go free! Advance tickets are
available by visiting the War and Peace Revival website https://warandpeacerevival.com
When you buy an advanced ticket online you will be entered into
a prize draw with a chance to win a terrific Enigma Machine Replica.
See you there!

From Rye’s Own July 2017 © World Copyright 2017 Cinque Ports Magazines Rye Ltd., Guinea Hall Lodge Sellindge TN25 6EG

 

WW2 Machine Gun Recovered by Police had been stored in Hastings

Machine gun recovered from Battle of Britain Spitfire to go on display

23 Dec, 2016 10:03 News

Machine gun recovered from Battle of Britain Spitfire to go on displayA historic machine gun recovered following a plane crash is set to go on display, giving viewers an opportunity to relive the Battle of Britain.

The Browning 303 Spitfire machine gun was acquired by a Hastings resident approximately 50 years ago and has been kept in storage ever since.

Sussex Police became aware of the item after being notified by Historic England – the public body which looks after the country’s historic environment – that it had been advertised for sale in January.

PCSO Daryl Holter, Sussex Police Heritage Crime Officer, worked with Mark Harrison, National Policing and Crime Advisor for Historic England, to recover the gun, and contact was made with the Ministry of Defence.

PCSO Holter said: “The gun was made safe, however during this process it was discovered to have a live round within its breach. The overall condition of the weapon was poor, but this does not detract from the immediate dangers it posed.”

The Royal Air Force has since taken the machine gun and placed it in to the Heritage Centre at RAF High Wycombe, which is where it is intended to be on display to tell its story from the Battle of Britain.

The Spitfire it was attached to was shot down some 76 years ago, but fortunately the pilot ejected prior to impact.

Above: the recovered Browning 303 Spitfire machine gun

PCSO Holter added: “If the public have firearms or ordinance from generations past stored away in the shed or the roof, for example, these items can be incredibly dangerous and pose a real risk to life. We would encourage anyone in this situation to contact the authorities for advice and guidance, and to leave the item in place.

“Firearms or ordinance could well have component parts that make up a firearm, thus breaching the Firearms Act 1968. If unknowingly sold on, they could find their way in to unscrupulous hands.

“The other concern is if heritage assets or objects are sold on, they lose their provenance and that becomes a sad loss to us all. Fortunately, this piece of history will now go on display for all to see, and it means a potentially lethal weapon has been taken off the streets of Sussex.”

Raising awareness around militaria and firearms – and their respective legalities – is vital, especially around the Military Remains Act 1986, the Protected Wrecks Act 1973 and the Theft Act 1968.

Statement from High Wycombe:

The Browning 303 machine gun represents a significant part of the RAF’s Heritage, this weapon system was utilised in many theatres and aircraft variants during World War Two.

This particular incident helps to highlight the personal aspect of warfare by tracing the origin of the machine gun; Spitfire X4237 piloted by Sgt David Cox from 19 Sqn based at RAF Duxford, was shot down on 27 September 1940. Fortunately, Sgt Cox survived the ordeal after bailing out of the stricken aircraft, although receiving wounds which took him out of action for three months. He fought on and was later awarded the DFC with Bar and a Croix de Guerre for his gallant service. He survived the war and left the RAF in March 1946 as a Wing Commander.

Retaining links to the RAF community, through both the Air Training Corps and as an honorary member of the Officers Mess at RAF Binsbrook, at the age of 60 he realised an ambition to fly in a supersonic aircraft when, as part of the 40th anniversary of the Battle of Britain celebrations, he flew in one of the Station’s Lightning trainer aircraft. He died at the age of 84 in 2004.

In this particular case we are delighted to see an artefact of this nature come home so it may be displayed safely. Unfortunately, 96 years after its formation, 19 Sqn was disbanded on 24 November 2011, consequently the gun will be displayed in the Southdown Heritage Centre located at RAF High Wycombe.

Above: Wing Commander David Cox DFC (Bar)

Rye’s Own Bulletin Friday 23 December 2016

Continue reading WW2 Machine Gun Recovered by Police had been stored in Hastings

Greatest Military Show

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 Continue reading Greatest Military Show

Hands Across the Sea at Hythe

INTERNATIONAL WEEKEND

Excitement is growing for the “Hands across the Sea” International Weekend organised by the Rolls Royce Enthusiasts’ Club. It is happening at Westenhanger, Folkestone Racecourse, Nr Hythe which is a huge site of some 220 acres, so there is plenty of room to enjoy yourself and the spectacular displays of cars that will Continue reading Hands Across the Sea at Hythe

Swastika Over Rye

Swastika Over Rye

As remembered by Arthur Woodgate

War is Declared

When our then Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, declared War on Germany on Sunday morning 3 September 1939, the air raid sirens started up immediately, Continue reading Swastika Over Rye

Air Warfare Over Rye

Issue – August 2007

By Barry Floyd

My sister and I were evacuees from London at the outbreak of the war,
on September 3rd 1939, and were accepted as pupils at Rye Grammar
School by the Headmaster, Mr. Jacobs. That first hard winter – – there
were very heavy snow falls in January 1940 and East Kent buses were
unable to reach Winchelsea Beach for many days – – was a phoney one
so far as military activities over East Sussex and Kent were concerned.
The situation changed dramatically by the summer, with the fall of
France and a threatened German invasion of England. Continue reading Air Warfare Over Rye

Battle of Britain Parade 2000

Rye’s Tribute to The Few

By the Editor

I was late arriving for the Battle of Britain Remembrance Parade at St. Mary’s Church on 17 September. Not wanting to disturb the service which was already in progress I sat on a bench in the churchyard and listened to the hymns. It was a beautiful autumnal morning not unlike many of the days in that September sixty Continue reading Battle of Britain Parade 2000