insideKENT Magazine Issue 26 - May 2014 | Page 95

© Philip Royal

Valour, Loss & Sacrifice: Chatham,
the Royal Navy and the War at Sea,
1914-1918 // 26 July – 30 November
Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the
start of WW1, this exhibition, held at No.1
Smithery, The Historic Dockyard Chatham, will
portray the significant role played by the dockyard,
its workers and the Chatham Port Division of the
Royal Navy in the ‘Great War’, shown through
the eyes of those who served. Four years of
sacrifice and loss will be depicted using objects
and artifacts, drawn mainly from dockyard’s own
collection.
www.thedockyard.co.uk

Poetry and Poppies // 30 July – 3 August
Riverhill Himalayan Gardens is joining the Real
Poppy Campaign by planting a stunning display
of Flanders poppies. This summer, there will be
a vast display of poppies on the hillside at the
viewpoint – one of the highest points in Kent –
and the display, which will be in the shape of a
huge poppy, will be a spectacular sight from air.
Poetry from WW1 will also be exhibited around
the gardens, and on 3rd August, the Rogers
family will put on a poetry recital.
www.riverhillgardens.co.uk

Unveiling of the Step Short
Memorial Arch // 4 August
The Step Short charity has commissioned a
dramatic commemorative arch in memory of the
millions of soldiers who marched through
Folkestone en route to the troop ships that were
waiting to take them to the Western Front during
WW1. The stainless steel arch will feature a
timeline that will tell the story of Folkestone’s role

as the departure point for many of the soldiers.
A significant event, there are talks that a member
of the Royal family will be present at the unveiling
of the march and military parade, due to take
place on the Leas, Folkestone.
www.go4marketing.net

Combined Military Ops // 16-17 August
Relive the sounds and drama of the wartime
airfield at this year's Combined Ops Weekend.
In its sixth consecutive year, visitors will enjoy
another spectacular display of military vehicles
and aircraft at Kent's historic Headcorn
Aerodrome, home of many real wartime dramas.
A great day out for the whole family, guests can
look forward to a variety of vintage displays, on
the ground and in the air; static military vehicles;
living history re-enactment groups; arena events;
military stalls; children's mini tanks, and much
more.
www.headcornevents.co.uk

World War Zoo // 25-31 August
Mark 100 years since the outbreak of WW1, 75
years since the outbreak of WW2 and 70 years
since D-Day by celebrating the role of animals
throughout the war at Port Lympne Wild Animal
Park. Learn about what happened to the animals
during the conflicts and how they helped to
change the course of history.
www.aspinallfoundation.org/port-lympne

Salute to the ‘40s // 20-21 September
Be transported back in time at The Historic
Dockyard Chatham this September. Around every
corner there will be period vehicles, evacuees
and people dressed in their best 1940's attire in

an attempt to create a truly vintage atmosphere.
With dance troops and the best in 1940's
entertainment, this is one of the finest events of
its kind in the country.
www.thedockyard.co.uk

Commemorative Event to mark the
100th Anniversary of the Loss of Hogue,
Cressy and Aboukir // 22 September
Three Royal Navy Cruisers (Hogue,
Cressy and Aboukir) were lost/sunk by enemy
submarine action on 22nd September 1914, off
the Dutch coast in the North Sea. The ships were
manned with reservists from the Chatham
Division, and the 1,273 names of those lost are
recorded on the Chatham Naval Memorial. Now,
exactly 100 years later, The Historic Dockyard
Chatham mark this event.
www.thedockyard.co.uk

Christmas on the home front:
WWII Experience // 29-30 November
It may be cold outside, but you will be warmed
by the villagers’ attempts to keep up morale at
Kent Life this winter. Talk to the family preparing
for Christmas in the 1940's cottage, make
wartime decorations with the Blitz victims in the
rest centre, gather around the piano for carols,
or send a telegram to a loved one from the post
office. In addition to ‘Make do and Mend’
demonstrations, guests can sample the Christmas
cookery, enlist in the Home Guard training, visit
the warden’s office, take some wartime school
lessons, and join the RAF billeted in the Victorian
farmhouse too!
www.kentlife.org.uk

Frontline Kent is in association with Visit Kent.

For further details and a full list of events,
visit www