Cambridge-based educationalist and historian Richard Gibbons will again be presenting live multimedia talks and his own video productions, including much original footage, on some of the vital turning points of World War II.

Educated at Cambridge and the son of a Royal Marine who fought throughout World War II, Richard was a teacher for 25 years before becoming an educational adviser and a specialist in dispute resolution.

He has made a lifetime study of 20^th century military and political history and travels the country giving dramatic presentations on World War II and Cold War topics. Working as ‘C20 Studies', he also designs and produces video displays for museums, clubs, schools and other organisations. 

His recent book, Cold War-A Journey in Words & Pictures-- which is also available as a CD-ROM and as an educational resource for use in the classroom, brings together recollections of many ordinary people who lived through the Cold War.

"Brought up as I was," he says, "just a mile from RAF Greenham Common meant that I was bound to be fascinated by 20th century history. As a little boy I used to watch the huge American B-47s belching out their brown smoke as they lifted off and, later, witnessed the dramatic events that took place around the deployment of Cruise missiles to Greenham."

He also has vivid memories of the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, when the world came perilously near to nuclear war: "I was only a child but I remember reading the fear in the adults' eyes as they went about their business. Living so close to such a major target meant that any day could have been our last..............."

The War and Peace Show 21 – 25 July 2010

Invitation to all World War II Veterans

To all World War II Veterans who took part in the many campaigns of the Second World War on land, sea and in the air including the organisations who supported our servicemen and women from home.

We would like to invite you to take the opportunity to be re-united with your comrades at arms and exchange memories during the War and Peace Show in the Veterans’ Marquee located close to the heart of the Show.

We wish to give you the opportunity to inspect the vehicles that actually took part in the battles that brought the Second World War to an end; to visit the Living History displays recreating scenes from the past; and to marvel at the battle re-enactments that take place daily during the Show and to help us commemorate the 70^th anniversaries of the Evacuation of Dunkerque and the Battle of Britain and the 65^th anniversary of the end of World War II.

The men and women who took part in World War II will be admitted FREE to The War and Peace Show at The Hop Farm, Paddock Wood, Kent, from 21^st to 25^th July 2010.  Special rates will apply for carers and families.

The hire of mobility scooters can be arranged in advance from Safe Hands on 01303 274574, email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Advanced Tickets must be booked by 13^th July 2010. 

Rex Cadman
The War and Peace Show Organiser

Click here to download the entry form

FOUR thousand poppies adorned Ken Ditchfield's Jeep when it went on parade at the Fremlin Walk shopping centre in Maidstone on Remembrance Day.

Ken, who runs the Jeep Raffle for the War and Peace Show, provided the vehicle in response to an appeal from the centre's management. They wanted a military vehicle as a focus for shoppers wishing to observe the two minute's silence at 11 am.

The short ceremony began with the sounding of the Last Post by bugler Barry Knight, a veteran bandsman of the Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment.

The Exhortation was then read by Jack Shearer, customer liaison manager for Fremlin Walk, who served with the Second Battalion of the Scots Guards. 

A solemn group of shoppers - including a number of service veterans wearing uniforms and medals - observed the silence. At the end Mr Shearer read the Kohima lament and Barry Knight sounded Reveille.

Ken Ditchfield, who attended with War and Peace regular Nobby Clark, is himself a veteran of the Royal Horse Artillery.

Jaine Rees, marketing manager of Fremlin Walk, said: "The Jeep created a focal point for shoppers who wanted to observe the two minutes' silence. It also attracted many people who wanted to buy poppies."

"The ceremony was very moving and quite emotional. I think people were glad to have the opportunity to take part."

END

THERE’LL be help for heroes of the Second World War at next year’s War and Peace Show. Everyone who served in the War is invited to attend free.

This follows the popularity of this year’s Show among veterans, when those who took part in the Normandy Invasion and the Battle of Arnhem were invited free.

Many were able to meet ‘The Forces Sweetheart’ Dame Vera Lynn, who signed autographs and was photographed with them. Dame Vera, whose recently released album topped the charts, has been invited to attend this year’s Show.

Veterans also had a chance to see once again, some of the vehicles, guns and other equipment with which they achieved victory.

Organiser Rex Cadman said: “We think it’s only fair to extend the invitation to all Second World War veterans wherever they served. They all contributed to the eventual victory and as far as I am concerned are all heroes”.

The War and Peace Show is the world’s biggest military vehicle spectacular and takes place at The Hop Farm, Paddock Wood, Kent. In addition to military vehicles there are living history displays, mock battles, 1940s style music, dancing and comedy, and the most extensive stall market for military memorabilia anywhere.

At this year’s show £15,000 was raised for the charity Help for Heroes.

The 2010 Show takes place from 21st - 25th July.

For further information contact Jacqui Curtis, Marketing Executive on 01622 870804 email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or Peter Cook on 01795 536915/07796 172680 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Family tickets to the War and Peace Show will be available shortly from www.thehopfarm.co.uk

THIS year's War and Peace Show was the most successful ever.

Organiser Rex Cadman said military vehicle entries exceeded every other year and living history entries were higher than ever before.

Speaking at the Show's annual Thank You Dinner, at The Hop Farm, Paddock Wood, Kent, last Thursday, he said visitor numbers were also up.

The dinner was for people who helped make the Show a success, each of whom was presented with a special plaque.

"We did have concerns about the 2009 Show, in the light of the financial difficulties people are facing at this time," he said. "I'm glad to say our worries were unfounded."

Mr Cadman added that Tonbridge and Malling Council had been closely involved both in the planning stages and throughout the Show. However very few problems arose and those that did were dealt with very quickly.

Turning to next year's Show he said there would be major displays to commemorate the evacuation of Dunkirk and the Battle of Britain, marking the 70^th anniversary of both events. The Show would also celebrate the 65^th anniversary of the end of the War in Europe.

The 2010 War and Peace Show will be held at The Hop Farm, Paddock Wood, from 21 to 25 July.