It is the time of year when tanks, trucks, guns etc roll across the Kentish countryside to a massive event. Static displays of living history, arena shows, army surplus stands have now (at the second year at the new venue) been joined by classic cars, a 'home front' village, vintage fashion shows and stalls with clothes - some vintage some replicas. http://www.thewarandpeacerevival.co.uk/
As this years show finishes at the end of sunday 20th July plans are already being made for the next show.
I love classic car shows like this with a lot of variety there are so many beautiful cars.
A friend of mine was taking part in a fashion show - but not the one I watched .... this one in the home front village was very interesting. Finding out about the reduction of the number of buttons (to free up valuable time), how many coupons were needed for clothes and details about styling.
A walk around the camps and vehicle display takes a long time but worth it.
The Home Front village with tape across the glass, a pub, shelter in the dig for victory garden (with chickens), war memorial to those lost in the Great War gives a good idea of what things were like even on a hot summers day.
DRINK BING a soft drink still available today in Kent.
Just right for smoothing the showground ready for the next day.
I would recommend more than one day because there is so much to see and do, this really is the tip of the ice berg, there are dances and variety shows throughout the day and evening. And in the true spirit of the Blitz even the rain and storms of the last two nights can't stop.
After visiting the WAR AND PEACE REVIVAL SHOW at its new venue (Folkstone racecourse) I became very inspired by the fantastic array of vintage clothing, hats and bags. If you love vintage then this show is a must for you. It may be advertised as the largest display of military vehicles on the planet but don't be fooled. There has always been vintage clothing stalls and as there are dances 'for the troops' in the evenings places to have a make-over 40's style. This summer was even better with an entire vintage village. Original and repro items to suit every budget. I even found a parasol. http://www.thewarandpeacerevival.co.uk/
We also went to MILITARY ODYSSEY - we have been visiting this show at the Kent County Showground since the first show.
https://www.military-odyssey.com/index.php?ix=1&iw=251&iz=0
This is a multi-period show and covers so much history from stone age through to modern day. Quite apart from all the 'living history and arena events there are wonderful opportunities to buy items that would be either hard to find or only available on line. This year I found the range and number of stallholders very disappointing - several traders that I have dealt with in the past weren't there and things seemed to be spread out so the lack of traders wasn't as noticable.
Still I did manage to find a fabric stall and get some very nice linen and cotton. A length of what I think may be matress ticking and most importantly a length of (small) dog tooth check.
This weekend dressmaking has begun! A pinafore out of the ticking to begin with and enough left for at least two more items of clothing. And now I have the sewing bug again I might even do the few items that need mending.
