insideKENT Magazine Issue 26 - May 2014 | Page 94

DAYSOUT
© www.visitkent.co.uk

FRONTLINE KENT
2014 SEES THREE MOMENTOUS ANNIVERSARIES: 100 YEARS SINCE THE OUTBREAK OF
WORLD WAR I, 75 SINCE THE OUTBREAK OF WORLD WAR II AND 70 SINCE D-DAY.
Kent has a wealth of connections to these
significant periods in history, including the house
that hid code breakers, the coast where bouncing
bombs were tested, the secret tunnels from
which Operation Dynamo was masterminded,
and the airfields from which Spitfires and
Hurricanes flew.
What's more, we're proud to announce a major
commemorative programme of events and
activities across the county this year. From
exploring the compelling mix of daring missions
and surprises, to stories of ingenuity and heroic
human spirit, there are tales to be learnt by all.

2014 Events
Quex Park Revisited – First World War
// April 2014 – June 2016
In the late summer of 1914, many Belgian civilians
began to flee from the fighting, soon to be followed
by wounded men of the Belgian Army. The first
group were brought over to England from Ostend
on 10th October by the Wounded Allies Relief
Committee, a British aid organisation formed in
August 1914, and taken to a hospital set up by
a Voluntary Aid Detachment in Ramsgate. The
VAD hospital at Quex Park was one of 80
in Kent. Quex Park Revisited – The First World
War, tells the story of this time and the subsequent
years through a wide range of activities. From
panel displays and photographic exhibitions, to
public lectures, Quex's Powell Cotton Museum
will be at the forefront of the frontline
commemorations in 2014.
www.quexpark.co.uk

celebrations, is of great historic importance, as
no other village in UK has such an in-depth record
of the events of WW1. Told through some 2,500
letters and parcels sent between the Elizabeth
Strouts Great Chart Soldiers and Sailors War
Fund, this exhibition will be a personal insight
into such documents and the men's grateful
replies. A major ceremony will take place on 4th
August too.
www.godintonhouse.co.uk

Ramsgate Blitz Walks
// 4 May; 1 June; 4, 11, 18, 25 July; 1, 8,
15, 22, 31 August; 7, 14, 21, 28 September;
2 November; 7 December
Relive the dark days of WW2, hear stories of
ordinary people on the front line, and visit the
places connected with those stories, by joining
in one of these guided walks around the heaviest
bombed seaside town in the UK. Walks take 22.5 hours and are free, but donations are
welcome. Walks start at 10am on Sundays and
7pm on Fridays. Private walks can be arranged.
www.summerof40.webeden.co.uk

WW1 Centenary
Commemoration Weekend // 17-18 May
Visit Belmont House and Gardens this spring,
and step back in time to experience what life
was like on the frontline. Demonstrations and
displays reflect the key aspects of the history in
this period, with different WW1 encampments,
plus displays of weapons and equipment. Children
will also be encouraged to take part in drill display
and the WW1 army signal school.
www.belmont-house.org

1940s Weekend // 17-18 May
Great Chart’s Great War Exhibition
// 11 April – 31 October
The death and glory of local heroes of Great
Chart will be remembered in a new exhibition at
Godinton House and Gardens this year. The
summer-long event, along with other village

Experience the forties lifestyle as the Kent & East
Sussex Railway turns back the clock to
wartime Britain. Enjoy flying displays by iconic
wartime planes, singing by polished professionals,
and plenty of dancing. Vehicles and authentic
costumes from the period will be on view, as well

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as a 1940's village scene with wartime cookery
demonstrations. Steam tr