War and Peace on the march to Folkestone racecourse
by business editor Trevor Sturgess
The War and Peace Show, held in Kent for 30 years, is going into
battle with a new name and a new home in Hellfire Corner.
After 25 years at the Hop Farm, the War and Peace Revival will
be held at the Folkestone Racecourse site, near Hythe, between July
17 and 21 next year.
Organiser Rex Cadman decided it needed a refreshing.
The world’s biggest military vehicle expo, which a few years ago
suffered bad publicity over the attendance of alleged Nazi
sympathisers, started in 1982 as a small club event run by the
Invicta Military Vehicle Preservation Society (IMPS) and featuring
just 100 vehicles.
It now attracts thousands to displays of military vehicles
and battle re-enactments as well as giving visitors a rare
opportunity to meet WW2 and other veterans.
Mr Cadman said: “I’m incredibly excited about this new show at
this wonderful new venue.
"After 30 years, The War and Peace Show was starting to become a
little staid, so we decided it was time to finish it while our
visitors still had fond memories of this amazing event and end on a
high.
“The new show will draw on our knowledge and experience and be
even greater.
"The venue couldn’t be a better fit due to the amazing history
of both the racecourse – RAF Westenhanger as it used to be known –
and this area of Kent.
"The War and
Peace Revival will continue to recognise the significant
achievements and sacrifices of so many during our periods of
conflict to keep our heritage British.”
A question mark hangs over the future of Folkestone Racecourse
as a venue for horseracing, but course owner Arena Leisure has
agreed a deal with Mr Cadman.
He was keen to use the venue because of its setting in the heart
of Hellfire Corner, so named due to the battering it received
during the Battle of Britain in 1940.
Cllr Robert Bliss, leader of Shepway council, welcomed the
decision to move the show to the area.
“I believe it will have a significant positive economic effect
on the area, bringing thousands of people to Folkestone Racecourse
in July.
"The council will be pleased to dedicate resources to help
organisers with the co-ordination and planning of this wonderful
event.”
IMPS president James Baxter, said: “This new show, in a
fantastic location, is a very exciting development.
"The permanent facilities, such as bars, restaurants, etc
provided at the racecourse will greatly enhance the experience of
the show, for both visitors and exhibitors alike.
"Rex Cadman is moving military history events to a new level
which cannot be matched anywhere else, and IMPS is delighted to
support this new venture.”
- Folkestone Racecourse was used as part of Operation Fortitude
(South) during WW2 - the great deception designed to fool the
Germans into believing the D-Day landings would be in Calais, not
Normandy.
Inflatable aircraft were set up along the racecourse to make it
look like an active airfield and in 1944 660 Squadron used the
racecourse to practise operations with local army units, prior to
leaving for France three months later.
04/12/12
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