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Dover Western Heights open weekend will see battles, tales and uniform displays

Dover’s Western Heights Spring Spectacular open weekend will see Napoleonic battles, historic tales, and arms and uniform displays.

These fabulous pictures are designed to whet the appetite for the event, today (Saturday) and Sunday (May 21-22).

The Drop Redoubt fort and Grand Shaft staircase will be open from 10am until 5pm both days.

Re-enactors at last year's Western Heights Open Day
Re-enactors at last year's Western Heights Open Day

Like in previous years, there will be drill displays and a cannon will be firing from the fort.

A camp, which depicts the period, will also be set up.

Dover Tales will put on an amusing play this afternoon.

The special guest star today will be actor Jason Salkey who plays Rifleman Harris in the Sharpe TV series.

Jason Salkey
Jason Salkey

He will tell stories of filming the series and sign autographs and posters.

On Sunday afternoon there will be a Napoleonic battle with a gang of French soldiers who made it to Dover.

The weekend has been organised by Dover Western Heights Preservation Society.

Phil Eyden, volunteer, said: “Throughout the weekend we will have fascinating displays of arms, equipment and drill from British soldiers from both the World Wars.

“We now have a new room in the fort open to the public. After a great deal of hard work by our volunteers, we now have the floor restored to its original level in the cells.

“Come and see a Victorian army uniform, bed, and kit in this new area for the first time.”

Footguards firing at Western Heights
Footguards firing at Western Heights

The weekend will not just be focused on history.

The Dover Museum and Arts Group will be putting on creative art displays reflecting the First World War, and the White Cliffs Countryside Partnership will be on site to talk about the environment.

Greg Esson will be bringing along his telescopes during the day on Sunday to show visitors amazing images of the sun from the Grand Shaft Barracks site.

The weekend is £5 for adults and free for accompanied children.

A cafe will be open in the fort and a shop will be selling books and souvenirs. A burger van will also be on site.

Parking provision is on the sports field in Citadel Road.

All funds raised will be put towards preserving the heritage of the site for future generations.

For more information, search for the Society’s Facebook page or visit the website at www.doverwesternheights.org

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