"Guns and Drums"
The next event will be held at the Aldershot Military Museum on Sunday 8th June 2008
"The popular "Guns and Drums" day returns to the Aldershot Military Museum for 2008. Although Guns and Drums could not could not be held last year it will be back for 2008 as colourful and exciting as ever, which will delight the many people have been asking when it will return. "Guns and Drums 2008" will be held on Sunday 8th June at the Aldershot Military Museum, when visitors will again be able to enjoy the mix of military music, martial displays and musket volleys which have made "Guns and Drums" such a hit with young and old alike.
Arena events will mix marching bands displays with living history re-enactments showing the dress, drill and tactics of soldiers of the past. Providing the marching band music will be the Sandhurst and District Corps of Drums, one of the leading youth bands with a high reputation for excellence and success in competition. In the living history displays, members of the renowned Sealed Knot will provide re-enactments of Prince Rupert's Bluecoats of the English Civil War and, from slightly later, the First Foot Guards of 1685. The "2nd Queens Regiment" re-enactment group will recreate the soldiers of the Napoleonic Wars and the American Eagle Society will represent the Union soldiers of the American Civil War.
Throughout the day visitors will be able to enjoy many special displays from visiting organisations. In the Museum grounds will be recreations of period camp sites by the re-enactment groups, plus the "Screaming Eagles" with their vehicles and equipment of the Second World War, a World War One themed display from the Royal Logistic Corps Museum, and the vehicles in the care of the Museum's own volunteer Vehicles Group. In the Museum buildings will be displays by other historical clubs and societies, including the Aldershot and Salisbury Branches of the British Model Soldier Society and the Farnborough Air Sciences Trust.
Particularly welcome visitors to Guns and Drums are the members of the veterans associations, including the Normandy Veterans and the British Korean Veterans Associations. This is a wonderful opportunity for young people to meet and talk to these splendid old soldiers and to hear their experiences first-hand.
Entrance to "Guns and Drums" includes admission to the Aldershot Military Museum itself, in which visitors will be able to walk through galleries telling the story of Aldershot Garrison and the local history of Rushmoor. "Guns and Drums 2008" takes place in the grounds of the Aldershot Military Museum in Evelyn Woods Road, just off Queens Avenue in the Aldershot Military Town (North Camp end). The event is on Sunday 8th June from 11.00 am to 4.00 pm, with the first of the arena displays at around 12.00 and then continuing throughout the day with the finale at approximately 3.30. Admission (which includes admission to the Aldershot Military Museum) is £4 adults, £3 senior citizens and £2 children, or £10 for a family ticket. Refreshments will be available and there is nearby parking.
We look forward to welcoming one and all, young and old, to a grand "Guns and Drums" when it comes back even better than ever!
If anyone has any queries, please contact the Friends of the Aldershot Military Museum, enquire at the museum or e-mail friendsamm@hantsweb.org.uk
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