cvhf.org.uk is the site for this festival, held near Salisbury each year, and it will give a good overview of what happens.
I attend most years to see the living history displays and take in a few of the excellent lectures.
Speakers range from authors such as Antony Beevor and Max Hastings to tv/media historians including James Holland, Dan Snow as well as enthusiastic amateurs like Al Murry and Charlie Higson.
In past years they have arranged some excellent air displays featuring many iconic aircraft. The Gosport Hunter crash seems to have put a stop to these - hopefully not forever.
Both Allied and Axis WW2 veterans have been invited to share their experiences although this year's event was clearly curtailed somewhat due to Covid restrictions.General Sir Nick Carter, Chief of the General Staff is now isolating after his visit to speak at the festival on Thursday - oops! All in all the safety measure seemed appropriate, however.
The highlights of my visit on Sunday were;
A Roman Legionary marching camp wood and earth rampart.
ECW musket drill.
Regular Army WW2 displays - a command post with "Monty" style caravan. 2pdr, 6pdr and 17pdr gun firing by the RA.
Russian re-enactment group (from Hampshire!) with a T34/85. Their group also depicts 1914 -21 era troops and equipment.
See Photos.
The RCW officer on the left is a keen wargamer!
I caught the end of a talk by TV historian and author Dominic Sandbrook on post war Britain. Rana Mitter gave a fascinating talk on the Sino-Japanese war '37-45.
Although this festival is part literary and educational (lots of kids stuff) as a wargamer I find a great stimulus to understand more about the periods I game in and to open up new ones. I now know that Chinese forces fought in Burma with the Allies, e.g.
I recommend a day or two if you can make it next year.
Mike
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That looks good (again), Mike - I've now signed up to the newsletter so I will know about it all in good time next year (20th to 26th June 2022)!
Simon
looks a good day out
Stewart
I had intended to attend for the first time this year, but managed to book my holiday for the same time. Bummer.
John