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March 2003 part 2
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January 2005

 

With April being a fairly quiet month on the event calendar it seemed like everyone had saved up to shop at the War and Peace Militaria fair at the Hop Farm on 21st of last month. And with all the smiling faces leaving they must have got the bargains they were after! There was a marked increase in the number of traders whilst public visitors remained consistent with last month. Next month's date is May 26th. With growing support this may well become a two day event next year. For any information on the Militaria Fairs please call Felix Robertson on 01622 206171.

Evenings during the show are always special. For many they provide an opportunity to unwind after a hectic day, some people take the chance to catch up with old friends, the stallholders while away the hours counting their takings and planning their exotic holidays, while the rest of us like to let our hair down. The Disco in the beer tent, and more recently in the Ginger Gammon Tent, has become legendary while more and more people flock to the Saturday night dance with the Herb Miller Orchestra. This year's entertainment looks to be better than ever and remember that, with the exception of the Herb Miller dance, it is all absolutely free!

The Ginger Gammon Tent also offers its special brand of fun and mayhem, kicking off on Wednesday with the traditional Welcome Party featuring Taz's Bald Boppin' Boogie disco. The venue also offers a disco and plenty of fun on Thursday while Friday night is dedicated to "Disco Daze" (flares, afro hairdo's and platform shoes are optional!). Again, Saturday night offers something special as several tons of sand are imported for Ginger's Beach Bash. Taz will be on hand to ensure the proceedings go with a swing well into the early hours so select your favourite beachwear or fancy dress and don't forget your Lilo or bucket and spade.

On the subject of living history, a number of groups have already expressed an interest in displaying in the "Showcase" field being run by Terry Elliott. To remind you, this is a new feature this year, providing the main visitor route to the rest of the show and giving the public an extensive taste of the delights to be found elsewhere on the site. The plan is to provide a mix of stalls, displays, dioramas and vehicles, all chosen for their quality, uniqueness or crowd appeal! If you are a vehicle owner, re-enactor, have a display, or are a stallholder specialising in collectable militaria (such as uniforms, badges, medals, books, vintage clothing or WW11 Home Front items) and wish to be sited in this area, please contact the War & Peace Office or Terry Elliott on 0207 515 8981 as soon as possible.

Kitchener's Bar, situated in the Dray Barn next to the Hop Farm buildings, will be open every evening from the previous weekend with entertainment every night from Wednesday onwards with a disco and live cabaret. Wednesday evening sees a visit from George Formby, in the form of Andy Eastwood who proved a big hit at last year's Hop Festival while Thursday's cabaret comes from none other than the beloved Max Miller, convincingly portrayed by John Ripley, complete with both the "White" book and the "Blue" book. Yee Haa! Friday night in Kitchener's is Country Night complete with live country and western music and line dancing lessons. The music will be provided by "Sioux Country" supported by our very own Taz Kavanagh who is a bit of a country music afficionado (or is that Desperado?) so dust off yer spurs and dig out yer Stetsons before you come to the show. Saturday night will also be special in the Dray when Kitcheners hosts "Las Vegas" style family entertainment with a disco and "Three Cats and a Fiddle" recreating the smooth style of the Nat King Cole Trio and similar lounge combos and featuring hit songs such as "Route 66". For those stallholders and exhibitors not rushing away after the show ends, Sunday night in Kitcheners will be.....well Sunday Night!

In answer to our request last month, we now have an organiser for the Ferret Anniversary. Merlin Jones has stepped forward to co-ordinate the event. The "Ferret Farm" as it's been affectionately called has raised a lot of interest, we've already had calls from previous Beltring visitors who have usually entered their other vehicles and left the Ferrets home alone. We already know of one prototype MK5 booked in. For more information please contact Merlin on (eves) 01903 207485.

The War and Peace Road Show will be out and about most weekends from now until Beltring. Starting on 12th May with Ravenswood Classic & Custom Car Show, then the following weekend at the Classic Racing Show at Brands Hatch on 18th & 19th May. Biggin Hill Air Festival is the first weekend in June, as is also Chatham Navy Days then a week later it's the MVT National Show Thruxton D-Day, then back to The Hop Farm for the BMF Gardens of England Motorcycle Show. Come and find us for a chat at each show and catch up on the latest on W&P!

The War and Peace Team

e-mail Rex Cadman and team for all issues relevant to the show.