Rekindle the Blitz spirit at our festival of history
THE Blitz spirit brought the nation together in the face of relentless Nazi bombing.
Courage, pluckiness – and a dash of reckless abandon – combined to defy German aggression.
But amid the air- raid sirens and ration books, Britons never forgot the importance of a good knees-up.
Now you too can dust down your vintage outfits and re-live that unforgettable period at this summer’s Chalke Valley History Festival, sponsored by the Daily Mail.
The festival’s perennially popular Blitz Party, with retro cocktails and live music from the Bombshell Belles and others, is just one highlight among the stellar array of speakers and spectacular ‘living history’ events.
A dramatic re- enactment of a Second World War battle with tanks will also be held, along with exciting air displays featuring Britain’s last airworthy Lancaster bomber and a pair of Spitfires. And Britain’s most distinguished soldier, Field Marshall Lord Bramall, is to deliver a fascinating talk on his life and career, including his participation in the Normandy landings. A Children’s Creative History Tent makes its debut at the festival – which is held between June 27 and July 3 – helping younger history fans create their own Tudor treasures or Celtic artefacts.
Meanwhile, the Sword School offers fun training in the art of combat, while The History Tellers recount enthralling episodes from the past at their Old Curiosity Shop themed marquee.
Later, swarms of Anglo- Saxons warriors will descend on the beautiful Wiltshire site to recreate the Battle of Ethandun, when Alfred the Great defeated the Great Viking Army to liberate Wessex.
Top speaking events include historians Niall Ferguson on American statesmen Henry Kissinger, and Simon Sebag Montefiore on the Romanov dynasty.
Dan Snow will tell audiences of his experiences attending the centenary commemoration of the Battle of The Somme, while Suzannah Lipscomb discusses the mystery of Henry VIII’s will.
Former hostage Terry Waite will talk about his hopes for the Middle East, as well as his own harrowing experience of captivity in Lebanon.
Professor Dame Hermione Lee discusses the real and imaginary gardens which inspired the literary works of Virginia Woolf, Edith Wharton and a host of other writers.
And on the 300th anniversary of the birth of ‘Capability’ Brown, the legacy of the landscape architect will be explored by artist Tom Scott Bolton.
Private Eye editor Ian Hislop will also appear to discuss Victorian attitudes to the poor, tying in with his BBC documentary, as well as appearing on the Histrionics quiz show.
The festival takes place at Manor Farm, Ebbesbourne Wake, near Salisbury.