Welcome to the February issue of the BELTRING BUGLE
- the official newsletter of the KM War and Peace Show
July 18th-22nd 2001

It's that time of year again ! The postman in Ash groans and BT shares soar- it's booking in time for War and Peace!
Because we operate War and Peace on a full time basis we welcome Gavin Barnes to the team. Gavin is working full time with Barbara in the War and Peace office and has been thrown in at the deep end updating our vast database. Gavin is a valuable member of the team and his admin and PC skills are invaluable.
Back by popular demand! After the success of last years Motorcycle ride out the 2001 version will prove to be bigger and even better.
All exhibiting motorcycles of any age are welcome to join in this great event.
On Friday 20th July the Posse will assemble at Ginger's Bar alongside the arena at 1130am sharp, to leave the show site together and head out on a 25 mile road run through the villages of Kent, naturally stopping at a suitably selected watering hole to partake of some liquid refreshment and a bite to eat (cost around six quid a head.) When the bikers return, Snap -On Tools are sponsoring a special Military bike show outside Gingers Bar - all motorcycles are welcome and there will be of Giveaways from Snap -On Tools and business in the Gingers bar will doubtless be brisque. There will be some great Kodak moments and we hope as many motorcyclists will support what has become firmly established as part of the Beltring itinerary. Ginger Gammon is putting a lot of hard work into organising this- if you aren't a biker why not pop along to see the event anyway?

The War and Peace Road Show was at Stoneliegh last weekend. A very good PR exercise - we took many vehicle entries and stall bookings. War and Peace doesn't need to make exaggerated claims about how many vehicles are booked in already?. Our track record is enough. There is no other event with the credibility of War and Peace- that's why so many traders say it's the only event they bother to do. Stoneliegh proves a nice link to the show midway between this and the previous years. Sky TV, who are working on a documentary about the show and our hobby came along to film the promotional effort and we met many old friends and met many more people who were coming for the first time. Sunday night on and the War and Peace website received over 600 more hits than it would normally get in a 24 hour period. A good promotion focuses the mind! It was good for the hobby that as always the MVT were also at Stoneliegh promoting their events and recruiting members- the MV clubs really need to use opportunities such as this to reach a wider audience.
There was of course a great deal of interest from traders and of course buyers in the War and Peace Militaria Fairs - our first one is Sunday 25th Feb at the Hop Farm- please come along and support us, meet your chums and spend some money?..

Our European friends took advantage of Norfolk Line's special War and Peace offer to travel from Dunkirk to Dover- that offer is open to all and is valid till 31/12/01. Our chums at Norfolk Line are delighted to be involved with us - look for their logo on the RR Services sponsored carrier bags.
Rex had some very useful meetings with major players in the MV and re-enactor world to discuss plans for this. Discussions with magazine editors proved very fruitful and we are expecting some excellent press coverage in the run up to the show.

Please direct any Press opportunities to the War and Peace Office- we have special Press Packs for the Press Pack! Any press opportunities about the IMPS or hobby in general should of course be passed to Andrew Tizzard. Andy has done a great job since taking over and is often seen checking his latest column inches. His involvement with Channel 4's "1940's House" has been excellent PR for the whole hobby.
Many thanks to Ali G for offering to "do da MC stuff wiv dem radical tanks ?innit- respect"
Er, we'll call you if our commentator pulls out.

There is one fun activity at War and Peace that you all should try- flogging raffle tickets for the "Win a Jeep" prize! Yes your club needs you - if every member sold just 1 book of tickets that's 5 grand into the club coffers - it is vital that before the first person comes through the Jeep is showing a profit. So please do your bit! Never know yours could well be the winning ticket!

Mobile Phones - Love 'em or hate 'em they are now a part of our culture. To help us contact people on site at Beltring we would like you to send a postcard with your name and mobile phone number on it to the War and Peace Office as soon as possible. Please indicate if your phone is UNABLE to accept text messages. Don't worry this info won't be given out to third parties but will be of great use to us at the show. Thanks to those who responded to our request last month but we still need the rest of your numbers.

Just in case you had forgotten, Rex and The KM War and Peace Office can be contacted on 01304 813945