We look forward to welcoming visitors from around the country, and indeed the world, to Southwick for the ‘Spirit of D-Day’ Revival over the weekend of 11th/12th June 2022.
The event this year is themed around the Spitfire fighter. Iconic amongst warplanes and instantly recognisable for its design and the sound of the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, the Spitfire performed a vital role on D-Day as spotters, locating German defences and guiding the fire of the Allied ships onto the target. We celebrate the Spitfire at the Spirit of D-Day event this year with a full size Mk1X as centrepiece to the military vehicle display, talks by expert military historians, an interactive talk (with short extracts performed) on how the award winning play about the Spitfire, ‘Michell’s Wings’, was created, performances by vocal trio The Spitfire Sisters and the opportunity to win a flight in a wartime Spitfire. (BBMF flypast TBC)
Visits to the Map Room within Southwick House, with a fascinating 45 minute talk detailing the build up to D-Day, remain the cornerstone to our event. Ticket numbers for visits are strictly limited so pre-booking is essential to avoid disappointment. Newsletter subscribers benefit from a priority booking period with tickets released at 1700 hours on Monday 14th March. They are only available to book online and sell out fast!
Portsmouth Military Wives Choir open the event with a concert in St James’ Church during the evening of Friday 10th June. Elements of the weekend not to be missed include The Baker Street Boys ‘Home Front’ display, Naval Cadets battling it out with Field Gun runs, walking tours of Southwick village, 1940’s School Lessons for under 14s in the old schoolhouse, entertainment on the Green from Horndean Band and the 1940s singalong each afternoon. Each day starts and ends with a motorcade of military vehicles through the village.
Refreshments are available at both the Golden Lion and Red Lion pubs, the Southwick Village Stores and Tearooms and the D-Day Memorial Hall where Ol’ Ma Attwell runs the 1940’s Tea Room. Our bustling street market will offer handmade and homemade delights as well as wartime and military memorabilia. Street food takes the form of the Pie Stall run by the Revival team offering top organic pies from a local producer and the best pork pie ever, as well as ice creams made in Southwick by Bere Dairy using Guernsey milk from Southwick Estates own herd.
Visitors are encouraged to dress 1940’s, civilian or military attire. The best turned out, spotted each day by our fashion scouts, will be invited to the catwalk event in the afternoon where prizes will be awarded!