Military History Weekend '˜biggest and best yet'

History comes alive at the site, off Fort Haven on Shoreham Beach, on Saturday and Sunday.

The Friends of Shoreham Fort have now applied the finishing touches to the explosive programme, which spans the fort’s history from 1857 through to 1945.

The fort will come alive to the sound of living history groups and re-enactors, and plays host to a military vehicle display.

Visitors can:

– Hear the Fort to ring to the sound of cannon firings, starting at midday on Sunday. The Fort Cumberland Guard will fire the cannon throughout the afternoon.

– See the Tommies and Token Americans stage second world war displays and parade ground demonstrations.

– Immerse themselves in a performance by the Queen’s (Royal West Surrey) Regiment Re-enactment Society.

– Marvel at the skills of the Sussex Army Cadet Fort – Kitkar Display Team, as they dismantle, reassemble and drive a jeep, including a race.

– See the West Sussex Irregulars create a second world war hospital ward, replicating the one which operated at the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead. This will include the RAF Burns Unit, run by famous plastic surgeon Archibald McIndoe.

– Take part in parade drills run by the Royal Sussex Living History Group.

– Enjoy a barbecue run by Eat Food Love Food – plus refreshments from the Food for Fort kiosk.

– Watch displays by the Trafalgar Drummers.

Gary Baines, chairman of the Friends of Shoreham Fort, said, “Throughout the weekend, our younger visitors will be invited out on to the parade ground to take part in our Victorian Parade Ground Drill, where they will be able to earn payment from the Queen by way of a Victorian chocolate coin.

“Our soldiers will be taking part in parade ground displays throughout the weekend and each day’s timetable will be repeated to ensure that all our visitors get the full experience from all our groups.

“We hope that hundreds of people will be able to come and join us and by doing so, support the volunteers who work on organising this and other events the whole year, whilst looking after Shoreham Fort itself, too.”

For more information about the Friends, and their restoration project, visit Shoreham Fort

Shoreham Fort is clearly signposted as you drive on to Shoreham Beach from the Saltings Roundabout. It can be accessed via Old Fort Road, or Harbour Way. There is limited on-site parking, plus on-street parking in neighbouring roads.