Celebrating the 65th Anniversary of VE Day

From the 29th – 31st May 2010, the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu is playing host to Trucks & Troops.  Staged by the South Hampshire Area of the Military Vehicle Trust, the show is a celebration of the development of military transport, combat vehicles and soldiering through the ages.

A great day out for everyone – this explosive show features:

Hundreds of military vehicles on show - ranging from push-bikes to armoured and tracked vehicles, from pre WWII to the Gulf War.  These include a multitude of types such as Jeeps, Dodges, Bedfords, GMCs, Austin Champs and, of course, Land Rovers.

Live action - re-enactment groups, including the Vietnam war group, Rolling Thunder, will be wearing authentic uniforms, talking to visitors about life as a soldier and re-creating camps and situations in which the men and women would have lived and served. 

A full programme of Arena events – including vehicle displays and marching bands.

Activities for younger visitors include a Commando Assault Course, Model Boat Pond, Model Tank Village and Tiny Tanks, the new and unique mini tank driving experience.  There will also be an opportunity to dress up in Army camouflage, including camo face paint, and take part in a patrol with real soldiers from the modern British Army.

Militaria stalls – selling everything from 40’s fashions to a Jeep engine!

Other event highlights include:

VE Day Street Party at 12pm on Saturday 29th, with special guest appearance from Esther Rantzen. The wave 105's Cash For Kids charity is inviting 65 children to take part in a special celebration street party, with every child receiving a VE Day celebration mug. Also on Saturday watch a fly-past by a Lancaster from the Battle of Britain memorial Flight at 1.10pm - on Sunday 30th at 4.35pm it will be the turn of the Dakota!

On Sunday 30th May, David Montgomery, 2nd Viscount Montgomery of Alamein CMG, CBE, son of the famous WWll field marshal, Bernard Montgomery (known to his troops as ‘Monty’), will visit the event. At 11.15am he will lay a wreath at the memorial to the Special Operations Executive in the Beaulieu Abbey Cloisters. 

Over the weekend you can also see a 1956 Bell Helicopter fly in and out of the Beaulieu grounds! Times & dates of activities may vary. Please check on your day of visit.

Talks - Hear about the training of the agents, "Churchill's secret army" on the Beaulieu Estate, who travelled all over Europe and lived behind enemy lines whilst trying to re-instate freedom for all, to the detriment of their own safety.
Talks will be held in Saturday, Sunday and Monday at 12pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm.

Beaulieu will be open from 10am to 6pm over the Trucks & Troops show and entrance includes admission to the National Motor Museum, with the new ProMotion exhibition, World of Top Gear, Palace House, Beaulieu Abbey and the Secret Army Exhibition.  Tickets can be purchased on the day, by telephone 01590 614646 or to purchase online, please click here and select Beaulieu Attraction Admission Tickets.

For information on vehicle entries and stallholders please visit www.trucksandtroops.com.

The event is staged by the South Hampshire Area of the Military Vehicle Trust.  For more information, please visit their website at www.southhampshiremvt.org.