The Capel Military Show is celebrating its 10th Show this year but it wouldn’t have grown into the success it is today without the support of everyone living in Capel village.
The idea for the Show started with the T34, a Soviet medium tank from World War II, and a vision that we could put on an event that celebrated and showcased the very best of military focused entertainment and raise funds for military charities and local projects. The Show has grown significantly since inception, now attracting over 10,000 visitors.
Many of our team live and work in the local area. The celebrated bar and entertainments team are enthusiastic members of Capel Cricket Club and local youth groups provide essential support with parking, litter picking and crowd control.
More significantly though, the Capel Miliary Show has raised over £150k to date. We are very proud of the financial support we have been able to provide to the village including contributions to the new cricket club building and practice nets, donations to the local nursery and OAPs Christmas lunch. We have also been able to donate to the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, Army Benevolent Fund, SSAFA and Royal British Legion.
The 10th Show is set to be bigger, better and more action-packed than ever before with more of everything we all love. Tanks, cars being crushed, big guns being fired, explosive battles being fought, a unique tug of war and a host of visiting aircraft including the *RAF Chinook.
Our special displays include the unsung workhorse and backbone of the British Military, the Land Rover which is celebrating its 75th anniversary. We will also be commemorating Operation Telic (Op TELIC), the codename under which all the United Kingdom’s military operations in Iraq were conducted between the start of the invasion of Iraq on 19 March 2003 and the withdrawal of the last remaining British forces on 22 May 2011.
We have some incredible guests lined up including the Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston KCB CBE ADC, the Chief of the Air Staff who is the 4-star commander and professional head of the Royal Air Force as well as Discovery UK Combat Dealers star and passionate history lover, Bruce Crompton, as he joins us all weekend to promote his new Amazing War Stories series.
Set over five event fields is a variety of military exhibitors from the south of England including over 400 vehicles and the best of British, German, Russian and American re-enactment groups. Ranging from the Second World War right though to modern day, the Show will transport you back in time and take you on a journey through military history.
The Arena fun starts at 10:00 and doesn’t stop until 16:00. Packed with parades of light vehicles, tracks and armour, two battle re-enactments, car crushing and naval gun firing, the Show also has its very special ‘East Meets West’ tug of war. This is no ordinary tug of war, but a contest of might between two tanks, both fighting to capture the biggest share of a car. The winner is whoever comes away with the biggest chunk of steel.
The main helicopter field plays host to static displays which include the *RAF Chinook, *Apache Attack Helicopter, *Westland *Alouette, *Gazelle and *Wasp and Historic Helicopters including the *Whirlwind, *Wessex and *Sea King.
The children’s entertainment area has lots for the kids to get involved with and we have our largest ever range of trade and charity stands providing an interesting variety of shopping and military merchandise. A comprehensive array of local catering stands, fresh coffee, snacks, soft drinks, ice cream and a licensed bar, including a range of cocktails.
Live bands featuring our own Bob Cranham and Phil Ware on Friday and Saturday evening from 19:00 ‘till late with plenty of food and drink.
Taking the hassle out of your day the show includes added extras to make your experience even more enjoyable; 8 fixed-price catering outlets, licensed bar, free on-site parking, public camping, lost children point, disabled access, informative show commentary and opportunities to meet the pilots.
