Welcome to the June issue of the BELTRING BUGLE
- the official newsletter of the KM War and Peace Show
- July 18th-22nd 2001 June 01

BIG WEEK APPROACHES
As you read this, it's just 7 weeks to go before the World's favourite Military Vehicle event. The last but one Bugle before the big week. More significantly, many of you will collect this at club night and find it an excellent pick-me-up from the drudgery of Election Day!
The good people of Beltring, Paddock Wood and all surrounding villages are bracing themselves once more for the friendly invasion of Olive Drab vehicles. They are now used to the traffic jams, queues at fuel stations and other minor inconveniences that bring literally hundreds of thousands of pounds into the economy of the area.
Literally hundreds of vehicles from Europe are already booked in with our chums at Norfolk Line who are offering a stunning rate throughout this year - not just over the show period. So if you are taking a trip sur la continent, please support Norfolk Line and save yourself a lot of money - they offer a wonderful service, luxury boats and none of those dreadful booze smugglers who fill up so many other car ferries.

With the last weekend's horrific accidents at Biggin Hill, all our sympathies go out to all the bereaved families. Many IMPS members have attended Biggin over the years and we hope that despite this weekends tragedies the show will go on in the future. Perhaps this is an opportune moment to remind you all to adhere to our safety rules, don't forget that the rules for driving on the roads still apply in a public place such as The Hop Farm. Whilst we want you all to have good time and enjoy the various bar areas, DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE. It's not big, it's not clever and it could cost someone their life. Let's keep War and Peace a safe show and ensure that the public's perception of our hobby is a good, if a slightly quirky one. Please also don't allow children to drive vehicles or ride motorbikes and quad bikes around the site unless they hold the appropriate licence. The same applies for all vehicles including tracked ones-on or off the highway you must hold the appropriate licence or all insurance is invalid.

As you will know, we have a very careful policy over the displaying of Nazi material. This year we are prohibiting the flying of the German Imperial flag, which has now been adopted by the far right groups and is rightly banned throughout Europe. Tony Lawrence has been tasked with minding the German material on display. If you see any offending "Naziana" please get in touch with Tony Lawrence by asking a Marshall to call him by radio.

There are some new arena events this year. You'll have to contain your excitement and wait to see the KM produced programme to find out more- but we want to see all of you in the area over the five days. This year all our arena events are sponsored by Kelsey Publishing, they produce the excellent new magazine "Classic Military Vehicles" - if you haven't bought a copy yet, you can find it in most larger newsagents.
It's time for that annual plea- please support the arena events and help our paying public enjoy seeing plenty of vehicles in the arena. It's a lonely job for the commentators with out YOU the vehicle owners. So if a Marshall handbags you to come into the arena, please do so!

One of the benefits of the Kent Messenger Group sponsorship, is being able to reach nearly every home in Kent and many beyond. As one of the 3 major events the KM sponsors, we enjoy a blanket coverage in their newspapers and specially produced TV adverts in the meridian region. Currently the KM are also running a competition to promote the Herb Miller concert on the Saturday night. But of course as IMPS members you can't enter the competition, so best buy your tickets right now before they sell out.
As part of the legacy that Bart Vanderveen left behind, an annual award has been set up in his memory by Winston Ramsey, Bart's Publisher. The award is for the person who has made the most significant contribution to the military vehicle hobby and the first award will be presented at this years show- we are very proud to host the annual presentation. Bart had attended the event on many occasions and always included excellent coverage in Wheels and Tracks.

Ah, the annual plea for volunteers has gone out and the press gangs unleashed!
If you can help in any way, please get in touch with Rex on 01304 813945 asap.

No edition of the Bugle would be complete without a serious reminder about the jeep raffle tickets! Every ticket sold puts a quid in the club's coffers and as we said before if every club member sells just 5 tickets that's 5 grand before the tickets have been offered to the thousands of public who will attend the show.
If you haven't entered your vehicle , booked a stall or bought dance tickets - DO SO NOW!
Please don't leave it any later as it means you miss out on the programme and it also makes life harder for Barbara, who tells us she is right now fully up to speed on all the War and Peace administration.
Just in case you had forgotten, Rex and The KM War and Peace Office can be contacted on 01304 813945