News

Jul 7, 2014

Step into the subterranean world of the Trench

This year at the War and Peace Revival to mark the 100^th anniversary of World War One, the organisers have commissioned the building of a trench system typical of the type that many of our soldiers spent hours in during WW1. Visitors to the show in July at Folkestone Racecourse, just off the M20 will be able to walk through this display and get a better understanding of the conditions our men were in during this era.

This purpose made above ground structure has been specially commissioned from the professional historical set designer team at Ancient Wisdom (www.awhistory.co.uk) and represents not just the classic corrugated iron and wood construction, but also the earlier designs which were held up with anything Tommy could find.

Chief Designer Stephen Abs Wisdom said; "When the fighting became so intense that the forces had to go to ground, they held up the trench walls with anything they could find, doors, floorboards or even pillow cases stuffed with earth. The refinements came later, with the advent of gas and deeper dugouts.

Our trench at War and Peace features authentic construction, an Officer's dug-out and even an unfortunate victim of a previous bombardment, slowly decaying into the millions of muddy pools that formed in shell craters across the Western front."

Rex Cadman, the Organiser of the War and Peace Revival said; "Each year during the next 5 years, to commemorate WW1 100 year's anniversary we want to create a unique display that educates the young and enables visitors to experience what it was like in those trenches. War and Peace Revival is not only a day out for the family but we hope to educate also.

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Shepway Council for the grant that made this project possible, under the Shepway Community Covenant. This recognises the work we do integrating the armed forces with the general public."

Next year, The War and Peace Revival will be on from 22nd - 26th July, continuing to commemorate WW1 but also featuring planes from the Battle of Britain in honour of the 75th Anniversary of the end of WW2, commemorating the 75th Anniversary of Dunkirk and the Ghurkha’s 200th anniversary of service to the British Crown.

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