D-Day commemorated at Worlds Largest Military Vehicle Show.

The War and Peace Show will take place on 21st - 25th July at the Hop Farm Country Park, Beltring, Kent and this year holds special significance as it commemorates the 60th anniversary of D-Day.

Accepted as the largest military vehicle show in the world, the event has been running for 21 years and attracts over 3,500 vehicles, 10,000 enthusiasts and over 100,000 visitors.

The 60th anniversary will provide the theme for this years show and some very special guests will be heading down to Kent to commemorate the most famous assault of the second world war.

As a vehicle show, War and Peace has always prided itself on getting unusual and rare vehicles to the show and 2004 will be no exception. To mark the anniversary, what is believed to be the only running floating "DD Valentine" in the world will be making an appearance after a 20 year restoration. The vehicle's first outing will be a return to the testing site of the original vehicles in April 2004 before making its way down to Kent.

Other rare vehicles attending with D-Day histories are a BARV (Beach armoured recovery vehicle) which were designed specifically for the landings. Only 48 were ever built and it is believed to be the only running one in the world. An M10 Achilles is nearing the end of its restoration period, ready for the show, in full D-Day spec.

It is hoped that both vehicles will take part in the arena action which has developed a reputation for being nothing short of spectacular!

However, War and Peace has evolved into much more than a vehicle show and now incorporates 40's nostalgia, music, entertainment, living history displays (both from the home front and from many conflicts).

Vera Lynn will be making an appearance on Friday 23rd July as a special guest to visit the show, 40's re-enactors and many veterans for whom her music meant so much during the war years.

She will also appear at one of the Miller Nights, two night (23rd &24th July) of Glenn Miller big band music, performed by John Miller and his orchestra. (advanced tickets only).

The weekend will also see many other famous names synonymous with World War 2 in attendance. On Saturday 24th July, four characters from Dad's Army, Mrs Fox (Pamela Cundell), Warden Hodges (Bill Pertwee), Rev Richard Farthing (Frank Williams) and Pvt Frank Pike (Ian Lavender) will be attending the show, in costume, and joining Colin Bean (Pvt Sponge) who regularly attends the show with the Barmy Army Film Club.

The largest militaria fair in the UK also runs along side the show, with over 1,000 trade stands selling anything from a button to a tank!

The War and Peace Show takes place on 21st - 25th July at the Hop Farm Country Park, Kent. Further details can be obtained from the Hop Farm event line on 01622 872068 or by visiting www.thewarandpeaceshow.com or www.thehopfarm.co.uk

-ENDS-

Press Contact: Hollie Eastwood -The Hop Farm Country Park Tel; 01622 870809

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Pictures available at 300dpi on request.

Limited interviews with stars available both at the show and prior to the event. Please contact Hollie Eastwood for to arrange.

Note to editors; The Hop Farm Country Park, Beltring near Paddock Wood, Kent is situated on the A228 Paddock Wood Road, 10 minutes from M20 J4, and 30 minutes from M25 J5.