Recreating the past for live events, TV and film
Our 4th amazing year! Historical re-enactments and living history from ancient times to the late 20th Century - modern army displays - motorcycle displays - bands - helicopters - tanks and other military vehicles - static displays - probably the most spectacular event of its kind in the UK!
Stop press! The Colchester Military festival will return on 18-19 July 2009! Revisit for more details as they are announced. in the meantime, why not enjoy the Colchester Roman Festival on 4-5 October 2008?
Following the
huge success of the 2006 festival, we
were once again invited to
increase the scale of our historical displays, forming an integral part of
Army's spectacular one-day festival. This was the show's 4th year, bigger and
better than ever, and one of the largest
events of its kind in the UK, with its superb blend of military, civilian and
historical displays. Over 30,000 people attended and had a marvellous time
watching the huge variety of displays and exploring the living history
encampments. It was all in a very good cause too, with all profits going to
army charities.
Click for
frequently asked questions
or for the main display
timetable The next military festival is scheduled for
2009 - we'll post up more information when announced.
The Garrison is home to 16
Air Assault Brigade. The venue, Abbey Fields, is an
attractive large open grass area with trees, adjacent to the garrison and within
easy walking distance of the town centre.
Visitors enjoyed a superb line up from the elite of British re-enactment and living history depicting soldiers through the ages, from the ancient era to today. In addition to ongoing living history displays, there was a chronological "time line" of history through individual displays within our own separate arena depicting the uniforms, weaponry and tactics of numerous historical eras, plus in the main arena, major displays including Roman soldiers and gladiators, plus Medieval & World War Two battles. Our groups also formed a major part of the Grand Finale - Salute to Colchester - a parade of all military participants, military music, followed by Sunset, and flyover by military helicopters. The event also formed part of the 25th anniversary commemorations of the Falklands campaign. Unfortunately, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight's Lancaster bomber was unable to flyover due to adverse weather conditions on its route.
There was a huge array
of other displays and
attractions arranged by the army including a modern-day helicopter-borne infantry assault, the
Red Devils parachute display team, daredevil motorcyclists and vehicles, Army
bands, over 60 military vehicles old and new, classic cars, army tug of war, archery & air rifles,
garrison radio road show and many static displays....all in
all a fantastic day out.
Large numbers of children also enjoyed medieval have-a-go archery.
For photographs of the event (and Sunday's chariot spectacular), click onto www.coulbert.com or www.actiontake1.com
Performers
The excellent line up of historical performers included;
Roman: The Colchester Roman Society, Legio XIIII Gemina Martia Victrix and Britannia
Viking: Ormsgard!
Medieval: The Wars of the Roses Federation, Erpyngham Retinue and Hellequin
C16th: Fahnlein Uri
English Civil War: The Sealed Knot
American Civil War: The Southern Skirmish Association
WWI: The 16th Lancers and History Horse
WWII: World War Two Living History Association, The Garrison, Far Setting Sun Far East Living History Group, 21st Army Group (C.M.P), The Earls Colne Military Vehicle Group and Alex Scott
1950s: British army during the Malayan Emergency.
Vietnam era - 5th Special Forces Group, 3rd Mobile Strike Force, 1966
1980s-modern: Past Regiments and Forces 80.
Groups and performers who would like to take part in future events like this one are invited to contact us for more details and click the link for our Standard terms and conditions for participation.
The army welcomed traders to this event. Please click for further details of trading opportunities at this and other EventPlan shows.
Admission prices
Adult £8, Senior Citizens and under 16s £5, Family £22 - outstanding value including a free programme (one per ticket purchaser or group). Tickets were available on the day and in advance from Colchester Tourist information Centre & the Town Hall. A discount applied to pre-purchased tickets, £7 for an adult, £4 for Senior Citizen/under 16 and £20 for a family. On-site parking was free.
How to get there
Abbey Field is most conveniently reached via Circular Road North, off Mersea Road, Colchester, Essex.
Enter Colchester via the A1124 or A133 then follow the temporary Road signs. Main access will be via the B1022 Maldon Road.
The venue is about 10 minutes walk from the town centre and railway station.
Sunday : The Colchester Chariot Spectacular
Following on from Saturday, thousands of visitors enjoyed the Colchester Chariot Spectacular, with our second superb day of top quality historical re-enactments, plus Roman chariot racing close to the original site of Colchester's racing circus, recently discovered! Arranged by Snake in the Grass Limited.
Don't miss the Colchester Roman Festival on 4-5 October 2008!
A brief history of re-enactment
Interested in how and why re-enactment has become so popular in recent years? Click on the link to read a history of re-enactment.
Other events 2007
Click here for details of many other historical events organised by EventPlan this year.
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Back to 2007 events Links to display timetable frequently asked questions |
Updated 5 January 2008