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

Hooray, hooray, the first of May - the outdoor fun starts today!
Well in actual fact you have to wait until the 26th of May when the special 2 day UKMS War and Peace Miltaria Fair takes place at the Hop Farm. Military vehicles are welcome and many traders have already booked in. As the nation kicks back into action in the wake of foot and mouth, the War and Peace Show is very much ON, as are all the events at the Hop Farm. With many of the Whitsun events already cancelled, why not drop in to the War and Peace event?

As you will all know, sadly Bart Vanderveen passed away recently. We felt very honoured when Bart's publisher, Winston Ramsey of After The Battle, contacted us about the awarding of The Bart Vanderveen Challenge Shield. Set up in memory of Bart's unsurpassed contribution to the military vehicle hobby, the shield is to be awarded annually to the individual, chosen by nominations, who has contributed most to the military vehicle preservation movement. The trophy will be presented each year at The War and Peace Show.

With just a few days to go until the closing of the Video Competition on the War and Peace website, do take the chance to win Agenda's Video of the 2000 event in our easy to answer competition. Just point your mouse at www.warandpeace.uk.com and click to win! But do so before midnight on May 8th.
War and Peace is now also firmly established as the major re-enactors event of the year, with many of the participants coming from Europe. The re-enactors rate the event highly, as its unique mix of vehicles , arena action, dioramas and trade stands offers a totally different atmosphere to the events they usually attend. We are being approached by an ever increasing number of re-enactor groups wanting to participate and to display in front of vast and appreciative crowds, that only the War and Peace Show can generate.
We try to cater for everyone at War and Peace - just one of the many events that grows each year in popularity is Ginger Gammon's Motorcycle Rideout. Held on the Friday of the show, all genuine ex military motorcycles are welcome, regardless of the age and make, to join this gentle ride through the Kentish lanes for a pub lunch. For more information, please contact Ginger Gammon on 01483 272170 - evenings. Ginger of course is best known for his highly successful beer tent where re-enactors of all "sides" congregate in costume (but with no weapons or SS insignia of course) to mingle with other War and Peacers for evenings of joviality and entertainment. Floor singers, storytellers and minstrels are always welcome and actively encouraged.

So back to the burning question?
How many raffle tickets have YOU sold?
Every ticket generates a quid for the IMPS funds so PLEASE help your club maximise the ticket sales. It's the simplest and quickest way you can help the club increase on its fiscal benefit from War and Peace. And let's remember, it's a far higher chance of winning the jeep than of even getting 4 numbers on the National Lottery.
A very unusual award will be launched at War and Peace this year. The team who operate the highly successful www.milweb.net will be selecting one vehicle at the show, either especially rare or perhaps one that has undergone an outstanding restoration. This is perhaps the worlds first "virtual trophy" The lucky annual winner will have a bespoke website hosted by MILWEB designed about their vehicle, with before, during and after pictures - to show it off to a global audience. So, if you think you may be in with a chance, bring some photos with you to the show.

Peter Skelton is once again kindly providing the award for the best BSA "Para bike". Having ridden miles around the showground last year searching out the velocipedes, which were often well hidden, he asks that if you have a para bike you wish to be judged, please call him on his mobile at the show 07931 6010180 or at work on 01227 712272 before hand to let him know where your entry is located.
With the launch this month of two new HMV magazines, we are delighted for the support offered to War and Peace from both Classic Military Vehicles and Military Machines International. Please do take the time to buy both these mags as they are going to play an important part in the future of our hobby.
Vast amounts of US enthusiasts are taking over the hotels once more, we look forward to welcoming them, and many others from overseas who are spending considerable sums of money to get to the show.
Tickets for the Herb Miller Dance on the Saturday night are selling fast, so reserve yours now!

Rex and The KM War and Peace Office can be contacted on 01304 813945