Warminster was taken over by a military spectacle this weekend which raised over £12,000 for the Royal British Legion (RBL).
Crispin Thomas, known online as The Stand-Up Historian, spent months planning the two-day event, which took place at the Lake Pleasure Grounds on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th July.
Reenactors crawled between park benches as they brought to life battles, experts dissected key events from military history in special talks and singers brought the sounds of the war era to Warminster.
Crispin said the weekend went “better than his wildest dreams.”
He said, “We aimed to raise £10,000 for the RBL’s Poppy Appeal and we’re already sitting at £12,000 before the final sums are done.
“It’s been a fantastic weekend. We had 4,000 people pass through the park and engage with all the events on offer. The reenactors have told me people were really engaged and asked them some great questions.”
Talks, including one by Helen Fry, author of Women in Intelligence: The Hidden History of Two World Wars, proved popular, while local groups such as the Warminster Community Choir also entertained the crowds.
There were also specific displays on key areas of war history – such as the Entertainments National Service Association (ENSA). ENSA was set up in 1939 by Basil Dean and Leslie Henson to provide entertainment for British armed forces personnel during World War II.
Crispin’s son Austin was also on hand to answer people’s questions and help his father with the weekend.
Austin added, “My favourite part of the weekend was experiencing people learn more about military history.”
Meanwhile, there were drinks on offer by the Hawkstone Brewery and attendees were kept well fed by the Cosy Kitchen.
A climbing wall and vintage fairground attractions also kept children busy in amid the military events.
Crispin has thanked Warminster Town Council for their support and the “fantastic” security on the gates which helped make the event possible.
He added, “This was a huge success and I just want to thank the people of Warminster who came out to support the event, while also raising so much money for such a good cause.
“Thank you to our sponsors, reenactors, entertainers, volunteers and authors for everything.”
