Warminster park to transform into battlefield for VE Day anniversary fundraiser

Warminster’s Lake Pleasure Grounds will transform into a battlefield this summer as part of a military-themed fundraiser to mark 80 years since the end of World War Two.

Crispin Thomas, known online as The Stand Up Historian, has spent months planning the two-day event, which will take place on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th July. The event will raise money for the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal and will include living history displays, weapons demonstrations, author talks, and performances by wartime-era entertainers. Crispin hopes people will learn more about military history while also supporting a good cause.

He said, “One of the most exciting things people can expect is that the pitch and putt area of the Lake Pleasure Grounds will be turned into a battlefield. We’ll have two regiments, one American regiment and one from Normandy, marching up the side of the golf course, where they’ll meet the Germans. These are real re-enactors, and they’ll have blank-firing weapons. It should be really exciting.”

“Unfortunately, the truth of this battle, which happened at night, is that the Germans mowed the Americans down. On the Saturday, we’ll have two re-enactments of this battle between 9.30am and 6pm. On the Sunday, we’ll have one between 9.30am and 3pm, where we might allow the Americans to win, even though it’s not quite historically accurate.”

“All around the left-hand side of the lake, we’ll have these re-enactors with their 1940s camps, weapons, and bases. Meanwhile, on the right, we’ll have local market stalls, face-painting, and more activities for children. We’ve also set aside space for the British Army to come, and the Gurkhas might be doing a kitchen display.”

Other attractions will include a vintage funfair, a climbing wall, and a range of wartime singers. A full bar and food court, including vegan and vegetarian offerings, will be available throughout the show weekend.

Also lined up to attend the event in Warminster is military historian Damien Lewis, who will be signing copies of his book SAS Great Escapes 4, as well as Dr Helen Fry, who has extensively researched the contribution of women as intelligence officers during the two world wars, and Neil Barber, who knows everything about the 6th Airborne Division in Normandy. All three will be chatting in front of a live audience with Crispin for his podcast series The Stand Up Historian.

All ticket proceeds from the event will go to the Royal British Legion. Crispin hopes a good turnout at the VE Day weekend will raise thousands for the charity, which he has long supported through various events, such as talks at the Athenaeum Theatre.

He added, “History has always been my passion. My son Austin, who is 11, is equally interested, and we have just been to Arnhem together. During my shows at the Athenaeum Theatre, he comes up on the stage with me, and the audience just loves him.”

“I’ve had the most amazing career in the mobile phone technology industry and retired from that about two years ago. I was deciding what to do with my life and decided I wanted to give back. I allied myself with the Royal British Legion, and now everything I do is for them.”

“Anyone who buys a ticket for the event in July, that money will go straight back to the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal, which does amazing work. We have some fabulous sponsors lined up for the event, including our main sponsor JUICE, who have basically made this event possible and means all ticket proceeds can go to the Royal British Legion.”

“I really hope people come along and support the weekend. With the train station so close by, we could see people coming to Warminster from places like Salisbury, Westbury and Chippenham, which would be brilliant.”

To buy tickets, go to rblww2.littleboxoffice.com