Sights, sounds and smells of history through the ages delight visitors

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Medieval knights mingled with 19th century sailors and World War One airmen at Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome at the weekend (19-20 July), as part of its multi-period Living History event.

Braving the changeable weather, visitors to the popular museum enjoyed nearly a thousand years of British history. Across the grounds of the largest surviving World War One aerodrome in the world, expert living historians from around the country set up authentic camps, inviting visitors to interact with them and discover the secrets of the past.

Chanz Des Reis Medieval Society invited visitors into a painstaking reproduction of a High Medieval tent, filled with period-specific furnishings, as well as demonstrating skills such as basket weaving and finger braiding. Meanwhile, towards the opposite end of the timeline, members of the 10th Essex Living History Group guided people through a reproduction of a World War One trench, complete with the sounds of shell fire all around them.

One of the highlights in the main arena was a dramatic Cutlass Drill by The BlueJackets. Members of the group, famous for its depictions of members of the Royal Navy through the ages, were representing elements of the crew of HMS Warrior in the 1860s and delighted younger visitors that joined them in their swordplay. Some lucky visitors took the rare opportunity to be dressed as a medieval fighting man, with a full spread of armour and fierce weaponry.

Ian Flint, Chief Executive Officer of Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome, comments: “We enjoyed a fascinating weekend of living history, with demonstrations of both warfare and life on the home front across 900 years. Despite the overcast skies, it was a rare opportunity to see so many experts in their field all in one place, and our grade II* listed WW1 Aerodrome provided the perfect backdrop.”

There is more living history to come at Stow Maries. On Saturday 26 July, visitors aged 6-11 can sign up to an immersive experience as evacuees for the day, taking part in air raid drills, making a gas mask box, packing a suitcase ready to be evacuated and more. Evacuees! must be pre-booked and costs just £5 per adult, who can accompany up to two free child evacuees.

The historical action continues on Saturday and Sunday 30 and 31 August with Back to the WW2 Farm, with living historians explaining the Aerodrome’s World War Two role as a working farm. With historic vehicles, vintage tractors and, weather permitting, a flypast by a Spitfire from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, this looks set to be another exciting weekend.

Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome, Hackman’s Lane, Purleigh CM3 6RN normally opens to the public every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 4pm. www.stowmaries.org.uk.