Recreating the past for live events, TV and film
Our 5th amazing festival! 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!
Following the
huge success of the 2007 festival, we
have once again been invited to
increase the scale of our historical displays, forming an integral part of
Army's spectacular one-day festival. This is the show's 5th 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 are expected to have a marvellous time
watching the huge variety of displays and exploring the living history
encampments. It's all in a very good cause too, with all profits going to
army charities.
Click for
frequently asked questions.
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 can enjoy a superb line up of British re-enactment and living history groups depicting soldiers through the ages, from the ancient era to today. In addition to ongoing living history displays, there will be 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 Napoleonic and English Civil War battles in the main arena. Our groups also form a major part of the Grand Finale - a parade of all military participants, military music, followed by Sunset, and flyovers. Please revisit in due course for the full timetable of displays.
There's a
huge array of other displays and attractions arranged by the army including
a modern-day helicopter-borne infantry assault, Red Devils parachute team, daredevil motorcyclists and vehicles,
dog display, Army
bands, large number of tanks and military vehicles both old and new,
assault course, jump tower, paint gun game, helicopter rides (an additional fee
applies),
garrison radio road show and many static displays, plus trade stands....all in
all a fantastic day out, and amazing value too (see below!).
For photographs of the 2007 festival (and Sunday's chariot spectacular), click onto www.coulbert.com or www.actiontake1.com
Performers
Historical groups include:
Classical Greek: The Hoplite Association and Spartan Society
Romans: The Colchester Roman Society, Britannia and Legio XIIII Gemina Martia Victrix
Medieval:
The Albini Household, Invaders and Defenders, and Fahnlein Uri
English Civil War: The Sealed Knot including Wallers' Horse
Napoleonic: The Napoleonic Association, including the The Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards, 1815 and 2nd Battalion 95th Rifles
American Civil War: The Southern Skirmish Association and American Eagles Society
Victorian: Skinners Horse
WWI: The 16th Lancers and the 1914-21 Society
WWII:
5th Battalion, Coldstream Guards, Za Oboronu and
Das Heer, with air raid shelter by
The Pattens
1950s Malayan emergency: Post-War Warriors
1960s: 101st Rangers - Vietnam and 5th Special Forces Group, 3rd Mobile Strike Force 1966
1980s: 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.
Timetable of displays and activities
|
Time |
Main arena |
Re-enactment arena and living history area |
|
9.30 |
- |
Gates open. Living history commences |
|
10.00 |
- |
16th Lancers practice session |
|
10.30 |
- |
The fighting Swiss 1480-1520 – Fahnlein Uri |
|
11.00 |
Fanfare and arrival of the Red Devils, followed by the Band of the Parachute Regiment |
WWI equestrian display – The 16th Lancers |
|
11.30 |
Band, continued |
C17th English Civil War and Restoration soldiers – The Sealed Knot and 1st Foot Guards |
|
11.45 |
Boldog Lings Freestyle Motorcycle display Team |
As above |
|
12.00 |
As above |
American Civil War soldiers and musket firing – The Southern Skirmish Association |
|
12.30 |
Napoleonic Battle - The Napoleonic Association , including the Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards 1815 and 2nd Battalion, 95th Rifles |
Classical Greek warriors - The Hoplite Association |
|
13.00 |
Royal Signals Motor Cycle Display Team (The White Helmets) |
How Roman soldiers and gladiators trained – Legio XIII GMV and Britannia |
|
13.30 |
Essex Dog Display Team |
As above |
|
13.50 |
Band of the British Legion |
As above |
|
14.00 |
As above |
WWII burlesque show – Millicent Binks (plus Skinners Horse set up) |
|
14.15 |
Bolddog Lings Freestyle Motorcycle Display Team |
As above |
|
14.30 |
As above |
Victorian equestrian display – Skinners Horse |
|
15.00 |
English Civil War battle - The Sealed Knot |
Medieval arms, combat and weapons – The Albini Household |
|
15.30 |
Royal Signals Motor Cycle Display Team (The White Helmets) |
Napoleonic soldiers and musket firing – The Napoleonic Association, including the Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards 1815 and 2nd Battalion, 95th Rifles |
|
16.00 |
Essex Dog Display Team |
Spartan Warriors – The Spartan Society |
|
16.15 |
16 Air Assault Brigade Attack |
Living history continues |
|
17.00 |
Red Devils |
- |
|
17.10
|
Grand Finale commences - The Colchester Salute – 1812 Overture, followed Highland Cathedral, Sunset Ceremony and National Anthem. |
- |
|
18.00 |
Flypast by 3rd Army Air Corps Regiment and 4th Army Air Corps Regiment and the Air Sea Rescue |
- |
|
18.10 |
March off |
- |
Plus ongoing living history displays. This is just part of the enormous army show, of course!
The army welcome traders at this event. For pitch fees and details please contact Warrant Officer Class 1 (Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant) R M Walker on 01206 815348 or robert.walker952@mod.uk
Please click for further details of trading opportunities at other EventPlan shows.
Recession-busting admission prices!
Admission prices including a free programme (one per ticket purchaser or group)! Tickets will be available on the day and in advance from the town hall.
In advance: Family* £20.00p, Adult 8.00p, OAP/Under 16s/Military veterans £5.00p.
On the day: Family* £30.00p, adult £15.00p, OAP/Under 16s/Military veterans £10.00p.
* 2 adults & up to 3 children under 16.
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 : Historic Battles and Chariot Spectacular
Following on from Saturday, thousands of visitors can enjoy our Historic Battles and Chariot Spectacular, with our second superb day of top quality historical re-enactments, plus gladiatorial combat and Roman chariot racing* close to the original site of Colchester's racing circus! On behalf of promoter Snake in the Grass Limited.
* chariots arranged by Snake in the Grass Limited
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 2009
Click for details of many other 2009 historical events organised by EventPlan this year.
|
Back to 2009 events Links to frequently asked questions |
Updated 15 July 2009