7th July 2010

MAIDEN NEWTON: WWII event hailed a huge success

A VILLAGE event has been declared a huge success – taking more than £20,000 from visitors eager to go back in time.

Maiden Newton at War 2010 – the second such event in the West Dorset community – was booming, with thousands of people swarming to see the largest parade of Second World War tanks on the road since the war ended.

And organisers are looking forward to giving thousands of pounds to charity once all the bills have been paid.

More than 4,000 people came to see the tanks, military vehicles and battles staged by re-enactors and dance to music of the 40s over three days.

New to the event was Armour and Embarkation – the first time so many tanks had gathered together since D-Day.

And lots of organisations ran stalls to add to the sideshows, including an exhibition of wartime medical instruments and a Home Front exhibition.

The event’s chairman Andy Elliott said: “Maiden Newton at War 2010 was a great success with a dramatic increase in visitor numbers.

“The team are still reconciling the figures but have taken in excess of £20,000 over the weekend.

“There are still bills to be settled and some cash to come in but the residents of Maiden Newton and Frome Vauchurch will benefit from the profits which will be distributed later in the year to organisations that provided voluntary marshals and assistance.

“The committee would like to say a very big thank you to all those that attended the event helping to make it the great success that it was. In particular the residents of Maiden Newton and Frome Vauchurch for joining in by dressing not only themselves in 1940s fashion, but also their houses with bunting, flags and taped up windows.”

The first Maiden Newton at War was in 2008, and attracted 1,500 visitors. It raised £10,000 for local charities.

This event has been a big talking point for the many re-enactor groups all over the world, and has been hailed by many of them as the best WWII event in the UK.

Organisers hope to attract many more for Maiden Newton at War 2012.

The committee are now looking for a headline sponsor for Maiden Newton at War 2012.

A sponsor would enable the organisers to pre-book new attractions from all over the world.

Mr Elliott added: “In the lead-up to the event weekend the phone didn’t stop ringing with enquiries and the website took thousands of hits.

“Traders, entertainers and re-enactors are already trying to book their place for 2012.”

Anyone who wants to find out more about sponsoring the event should contact Mr Elliott on 01300 320094 or 07967504716.

PICTURE: A service of remembrance took place during the weekend's events