Southwick pulls off revival event in style

THOUSANDS of people took a step back in time and enjoyed the delights of one of Hampshire's prettiest villages.
From the left are Charlie Hudson and Paul Morgan from Portsmouth with Paul's World War Two American Jeep.
Picture Ian Hargreaves (160831-7)From the left are Charlie Hudson and Paul Morgan from Portsmouth with Paul's World War Two American Jeep.
Picture Ian Hargreaves (160831-7)
From the left are Charlie Hudson and Paul Morgan from Portsmouth with Paul's World War Two American Jeep. Picture Ian Hargreaves (160831-7)

More than 5,000 people of all ages enjoyed the Southwick D-Day Revival over the weekend.

One of the highlights was the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight over the village.

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The event took place for the third year running in partnership with Southwick Park to commemorate the anniversary of D-Day.

Southwick House was the nerve-centre of Operation Overlord where military leaders mapped out the Normandy landings.

Events over the weekend included tours of the D-Day Map Room, 1940s dancing, invasion defence briefings on the village green, and a period funfair in the Squire’s Paddock.

There were more than 70 military vehicles on display.

There was a big audience for Dr Peter Caddick-Adams, a documentary maker who gave a talk about the invasion. He argued that the Americans were not so dominant, the Germans so skilful or the British so hapless as is commonly believed.

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Martin Bazeley, chairman of the organising committee, said it had been an ‘amazing’ weekend.

He said the car parks were packed and a park and ride system had to be introduced just to get people in.

‘We have been almost overwhelmed but in the spirit of the whole thing we have coped,’ he said.

He said Southwick provided the perfect backdrop to a nostalgia event.

He added: ‘A lot of work has gone into making sure this village is shown off in the best possible light this weekend. It’s like going back in time anyway.’

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