For further information click here, on the photo or use the tabs at the top of the page
Feb 082013
Dec 162012
Sep 302012
The Vault is a downloadable magazine, a facebook page and a social medium uniting re-enactors and historians with interests in all eras including our own narrow specialisation.
To download it click here – it’s the first edition, contains some useful German phrases, some great photos of WW1 replica aircraft and a whole host of information and pictures of the wider and fascinating world of living history. Be patient – it is 4.5 Megabytes but well worth the wait.
To see the facebook page and keep in touch between quarterly issues click here
And if you feel you could contribute to their publication (or to this one!) click here
Overlord 2011
A selection of galleries from a range of photographers on one theme: the successful Overlord 2011 Military Spectacular held for the first time at the Lawns, Denmead.
Select from the tabs in the title bar or from the links below. If you have pictures of the event you wish to see featured on this blog please contact the webwright by clicking this link
Pictures from SOE members are listed below, the list will grow as I manage to wrest images from them. There are also links to external sites with some fine pictures from our visitors and from our exhibitors, we hope to improve facilities for photographers for 2012 so make sure you come along to OVERLORD 2012 with plenty of batteries and memory cards or film!
The webwright’s Post War Vehicles
External Sites:
Rambo’s report on the Historic Military Vehicles Forum
Colin Lacey (SOE member) on Facebook
Mark Rutley’s portraiture set on flickr
514th Q.M. Trucking Regt. (Red Ball Express)
Paul Morgan’s pictures at HMVF
C and A images (pictures for sale)
Jun 052011
Now the clearing up is almost done (Sunday and I have just unloaded my trailer!) it’s time to reflect on Overlord 2011, our most ambitious show yet. The culmination of 12 months of planning and hard work was anticipated with a certain amount of trepidation by the SOE committee and members, a new site bringing new and unknown challenges.
Living History
We hope to see you at Overlord 2013 but, even with our new, exclusive living history field our growing popularity means that, spaces will be limited so apply in plenty of time to ensure we can fit you in.
The last day for applications is Wednesday May 1st
With an idea of numbers we can make sure that our on site facilities – toilets, showers, security, catering and emergency cover are fully sufficient for your needs.
The show is open to the public from Saturday 25th May (Preview day) to Monday the 27th, please let us know if you wish to arrive earlier or pack up later.
Enter your email address to download Living History Application Form
Enter your email, wait and click on “Your Download is now ready”
Please read the Show Code of Conduct that comes with your application
Tips for a Safe Show
First – if you have any questions or requests ask one of the marshalls; they are the harassed looking people wandering around site in hi-viz vests. Your query can either be answered there and then or they can radio through to the right person to help
No one wants an accident marring their enjoyment or worse, nor do they want to be the cause of an accident. We don’t like complicating things or making a whole host of rules and restrictions; fortunately safety is mostly a matter of plain common sense.
Because there are a lot of vehicles, generators and gas appliances the risk of fire is high, simple precautions will help reduce that risk:
- Keep cans of fuel stored upright well away from naked flame or hot metal
Switch off generators or vehicle engines before refuelling. Allow gennies to cool down before putting petrol in
Secure propane cylinders upright to a post or similar and in a well ventilated area at least 2m from the appliance they are connected to
- Do not leave appliances unattended when in use
If you discover a fire only attempt to put it out if there is no risk to you otherwise alert the on-site fire service or one of the marshalls. It is now part of our code of conduct that vehicles and tents contain a fire extinguisher suitable to task
The ONLY type of extinguisher to use on oil and fat fires is the wet chemical type the others are either ineffective or, in the case of a water extinguisher will cause the fire to explode. USE ONLY THE WET CHEMICAL EXTINGUISHER ON OIL OR FAT FIRES or use a fire blanket
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Exhibitors
We hope to see you at Overlord 2013 but, even with our new,enlarged showground, spaces will be limited so apply in plenty of time to ensure we can fit you in.
The last day for applications is Wednesday May 1st
With an idea of numbers we can make sure that our on site facilities – toilets, showers, security, catering and emergency cover are fully sufficient for your needs.
The show is open to the public from Saturday 25th to Monday the 27th, please let us know if you wish to arrive earlier or pack up later.
And a personal plea from the webwright who also moonlights as a show commentator – could you provide full information about your vehicle – you have spent a great deal of time and money on it and no doubt want me to do justice to it. A full description makes it simpler for me to talk knowledgeably about your beast for your two or three laps of glory around the arena !
Enter your email address to download Exhibitors Application Form
Enter your email, wait and click on “Your Download is now ready”
Please read the Show Code of Conduct that comes with your application
Tips for a Safe Show
First – if you have any questions or requests ask one of the marshalls; they are the harassed looking people wandering around site in hi-viz vests. Your query can either be answered there and then or they can radio through to the right person to help
No one wants an accident marring their enjoyment or worse, nor do they want to be the cause of an accident. We don’t like complicating things or making a whole host of rules and restrictions; fortunately safety is mostly a matter of plain common sense.
Because there are a lot of vehicles, generators and gas appliances the risk of fire is high, simple precautions will help reduce that risk:
- Keep cans of fuel stored upright well away from naked flame or hot metal
- Switch off generators or vehicle engines before refuelling. Allow gennies to cool down before putting petrol in
- Secure propane cylinders upright to a post or similar and in a well ventilated area at least 2m from the appliance they are connected to
- Do not leave appliances unattended when in use
If you discover a fire only attempt to put it out if there is no risk to you otherwise alert the on-site fire service or one of the marshalls. It is now part of our code of conduct that vehicles and tents contain a fire extinguisher suitable to task
The ONLY type of extinguisher to use on oil and fat fires is the wet chemical type the others are either ineffective or, in the case of a water extinguisher will cause the fire to explode. USE ONLY THE WET CHEMICAL EXTINGUISHER ON OIL OR FAT FIRES or use a fire blanket
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Visitors
Overlord 2013 is, as always, held over the Spring Bank Holiday. This year it will be Saturday 25th of May to Monday 27th. – with three days of full arena events, battles and vehicle displays there is excitement for all the family – see you there!
We can’t answer all queries here, if you have a question not covered by the information below then please ask by clicking here
FAQs:
When is it?
From 0930 on Saturday 25th to 1700 Bank Holiday Monday 27th of May. There is a lot to see and do – over 300 vehicles, many of which will be in motion through the hollows and humps of our display area, a complete field dedicated to living history – over 500 re-enactors making the military scenes of the last 100 years come to life and over 100 trade stalls to visit.
How much is it?
We have tried to keep the cost reasonable for a full family day out. Admission is £10 per adult and £5 per child under 16. Family tickets at £25 allow access for two adults and up to three children. Concessions are £5.
If you have a current HM Forces i.d. or are a forces veteran then admission will be waived, veterans can also enjoy the hospitality of our new veterans’ tent.
What about parking?
There is plenty of on-site parking which is FREE with a level walk over grass to the show entrance. Marshalls in the car park will guide you to a parking space. Disabled parking is reserved close to the show entrance.
Is it suitable for children?
There is plenty to see and do. Most exhibitors and re-enactors are happy to answer questions about their kit and enjoy the surprises that lively young minds can spring on them. The only cautions are that vehicles tend to be hard, unforgiving lumps of metal so climbing on them is discouraged and that the battle re-enactments in the arena can be noisy with plenty of gunfire and explosions. Most children love it!
What should I wear?
It’s the last week of May, typically warmish days with sunshine, big cumulus clouds and the possibility of the occasional shower. Stallholders have waterproofs and sunhats, jerseys or T shirts for those caught out by the weather. The ground is short, level grass so wear shoes suitable for a walk in the country, you will probably walk further than you think so comfort should take precedence over style. Some warm and waterproof clothes in the car should the weather realise it is a Bank Holiday would be sensible.
What about “facilities”?
There are plenty of toilets, serviced twice daily by our on-site cleaner who is also available to deal with any emergency. A variety of good quality foods, soft drinks and ice creams are available from our vendors and the beer tent is open throughout the day.
Litter can be placed in one of the many large plastic bins on site, additionally there are large recycling containers for paper and card alongside many of the bins, we hope to expand our recycling activities following previous years successful trial
How long should I plan to be there?
The show is open 0900 to 1700 each day, arena events start at 1030 and run till 1600 (times may vary). It is quite easy to spend the whole day there without seeing everything the show has to offer – there are three fields of traders, vehicles and living history to see.
Can I bring a dog?
Well behaved dogs are welcome, we request that they are kept on a lead and that you clean up after them. Please do not leave them in the car!
Can I join in?
On Sunday 26th May we encourage everyone to dress in clothes from the 40′s – whether as civilians toiling on the home front, Home Guard, ARP, WVS and others serving the community or as members of the fighting forces – all are welcome. Start planning now!
Is it safe?
We run the show according to the strict guidelines of the NTET and our safety plan is approved by Winchester City Council. There are vehicles moving about the site at various times of the day, marshalls will advise you of safe places to stand. In the unlikely event of a problem many of our marshalls have first aid training; our main paramedic services and fire cover are provided by the three on site vehicles staffed by members of Fire, Flood and Salvage.
OK, should be a good day out! Where are you?
The Lawns, Forest Road, Denmead, Hampshire.
Make your way to Junction 3 of the A3M, the turnoff for Waterlooville and follow the yellow and black signs
Alternatively put PO7 6TZ in your sat nav. Although it isn’t quite the exact location (fields don’t have postcodes!) it is close enough to get you there.
Nov 232010
Now we have our glorious new venue at the Lawns thoroughly tested it is obvious from your reaction in 2012 that dressing for the occasion is becoming increasingly popular. For the first time we were able to dedicate a field to our living history groups who were able to dig in and camp with mature hedges and trees screening them from the car park and the other show fields.
We had a great selection of visitors arriving in 1940′s styles on the Sunday of the show, wearing both civvy clothing and military and home front uniforms. For 2013 we want to encourage even more of you to join in the spirit and the fun of the event, now is the time to make your plans and to gather the clothes and accessories to your look.
The options are many and varied, for the British there are all the civilian and volunteer services such as the LDV, WVS, AFS, ARP to mention just a few acronyms. For me (and many others) ladies civilian fashions of the wartime years are elegant and flattering to the wearer and I have personal experience that the ladies go wild for men in uniform … (I used to get beaten up a lot when I worked as a traffic warden)
Apart from the admiring looks you’ll get when dressed to the nines and the new friends you will make, the warm glow of participation and the feeling of being part of the “in” crowd there is the benefit of a reduction in your show admission fee.
I’m giving you this heads up now, shortly before Christmas 2012, to give you time to plan, to give you the joy of anticipation and the fun of chasing down the various accessories to go with your chosen outfit. Of course, if you are like me ,a quick scurry round our traders on the preview Friday or Saturday of the show (Friday tickets are valid for a second visit) will garner those last minute bits or even complete outfits to ensure that you are resplendent on the Sunday. And, if you are either stuck for ideas or looking to create the authentic look, the book below may help:
So, see you at the 2013 show, in the future and back in the forties!