New event set to bring history to life this summer

The “White Horse Military Show” will be held on 20 and 21 August this year in fields on the B3098 between Westbury and Bratton.

It is being hosted by military and vintage enthusiasts with the aim of bringing like-minded people together.

Production manager Richard Dalton said: “My aim is to create a friendly good quality non-commercial show for Wiltshire. To celebrate the armed forces and remind the public of the History with Military in Wiltshire.”

The seven-acre site will hold an arena with events, displays and is set to be a multi-period event, bringing in themes of WW1, WW2, the Vietnam war, Cold war and Gulf war.

Mr Dalton added: “We're going to try and keep each area as different time periods. We will also be dressing the site as well as an army camp with watchtowers and gate posts to give the public a feeling of being transported to a different place. With sets created of different periods.”

Vehicles on route to a military show

The keen organiser has got lots prepared for the big day and is planning on setting the event out like an army camp with over 20 living history groups set to attend, over 50 military vehicles. The main arena will be holding various displays, with living history displays also set to be there, as well as some walking history and a 'women at war area.'

“The women at war area is dedicated to what the good Ladies did during times, of war and conflict. We are looking for more people to take part in this” said Mr Dalton.

He noted: “I've had many meetings with living history groups about the show and how it is developing. It's a very grassroots level show and as it progresses along, I'm sharing it with people.

Richard (left) and a friend enjoying a couple of beers after a 'hard days graft'

The history-lover also has a few hidden tricks up his sleeve for the event, hinting: “There’ll be a choice of food stands, beer tent, a flash of history displays, a battle of Britain memorial flight fly past, and more to come with a few little surprises.

“What may be a bit different here is that I'm going to and have things happen at the show which will be sitewide. Such as Air raids. In fact, with my filming background, I'm talking to some special effects friends about the possibility of putting small explosions in the fields nearby as if bombs were dropping. We need to check if this is possible though. I love a bit of theatre.”