Welcome to the December issue of the BELTRING BUGLE
- the official newsletter of the KM, IMPS War and Peace Show
July 17th-21st 2002

ISSUE 24

After a rocky start to the 2002 Show, organisation has begun in force. As this month's broadsheet goes to print, we are busy booking more toilets than last year, increasing the size of the Miller Marquee by another 4000 sq ft, bringing the marquee up to a total square area of 16000 sq ft. Once again we are organising live music for the Thursday and Friday night and by request have again booked John Miller, nephew of Glenn Miller and his band for a night of Miller Magic, supported by Terry Elliott and his Sentimental Journey. Once again, wartime rations will be part of the event helping to make this a night of nostalgia. Tickets are now available at £20 each from the War and Peace Office.

Meanwhile, down at Ginger Gammon Bar, Taz, our resident DJ and musical entrepreneur will be cooking up a feast of musical nights. Culminating on Saturday evening with a beach party, if it's a night of fun and frivolity you want, pack your best Miami Beach trunks and surf on in.

By popular request, Kitcheners Bar will provide a variety of different entertainment aimed at a family audience. The bar will open on Monday the 15th and will have live entertainment each evening from Wednesday 17th to Saturday the 20th, ending on Sunday night with the now traditional end of show party which is open to all exhibitors, traders and reenactors still resident on the show ground. Dancing on the bar is not obligatory...

Over the past couple of months, we have been actively working with vehicle owners up and down the country and hope to be able to field several first time outings for some very rare vehicles. More information will follow on this, as owners are able to commit once restorations have been completed.

The lay out to this year's War and Peace Show will be similar to last year with the exception of the introduction of a second arena which will be sited in front of the Miller Marquee. As the months progress we will be able to advise you as to the contents of the new arena although like always we are open to suggestions and support, so please feel free to contact the War and Peace Office with your input.

Following on from the 2001 Show, we will be running another Fashion Show this year. We are pleased to announce that an organiser for this area of the show has been appointed and she will be actively looking for participants to supplement her existing team. So, if you feel it is time you had a go at walking the catwalk, please give us a ring for further info or alternatively contact Rita Johnson of the 'Rockford Belles' and vehicle booking-in fame, telephone no. 07879 056293.

On the vehicles front, 2002 is the 50th anniversary of the Austin Champ and at this year's Show Dale Johnson, a past IMPS Chairman, and Frank Robertson of UKMS, War and Peace Militaria Fairs, will be organising a special event to commemorate this. So, if you own a Champ and want to participate, they would very much like to hear from you. Frank can be contacted on 01622 678730.

Once again the arena will be the focal point of the Show with events each day, along with our now regular battle re-enactment, organised by Glen Swallow of the Second Battle Group. Glen is looking for English and American reenactors to take part, so if you feel this is something you would like to be a part of, don't be shy, telephone Glen on 07956 875994 and become part of the Show.

In War and Peace 2001, Paul Cartwright of the North London Barmy Army drove a 432 personal carrier through a specially prepared bus. For all of you who missed this spectacular finale on the Sunday you will be pleased to hear that another bus has been acquired and Paul has kindly agreed to do it again.

In commemoration of our Korean War Veterans, War and Peace will be putting a Centurion main battle tank on display as a tribute to these unsung heroes. If any of you know friends or have family from the forgotten War please ask them to contact us.

Well, that about brings you up to date with our current plans and only leaves me to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year on behalf of Rex and Barbara, Brent and Fiona and the War & Peace Team.

War & Peace Team

Tel: No. +44 (0) 1304 813945 Fax: +44 (0) 1304 812422
E-mail [email protected] Website: www.thewarandpeaceshow.com