If you went down to the woods in Kent over the recent August bank holiday weekend, you would have definitely got a big surprise! The sixth Military Odyssey Mulit-period Living History show had again encamped at the Detling County Show ground near Maidstone, for three days of non-stop explosive re-enactment action from 26th-28th August.
Yet again the show attracted an ever increasing variety of re-enactors, from stone age man, through ancient Egyptians, the English Civil War, Napoleonic infantry and cavalry, American Civil War, and World Wars I and II (from all sides), closing out with a splash of Vietnam and the Gulf War. Bearing in mind most re-enactors camp on site, it was surprising there was room left for the large trade stall area! While the weather forecast may have put some off, the show was still very well attended, and those who braved the forecast showers were blessed with good weather for much of the show – and of course some spectacular re-enactment action!
One major change this year was the reorganisation of the show ground, enabling the organisers to dedicate a large open area for the main battle re-enactments – a vast improvement on the small and congested space used in previous years. And boy, did they need it! With the English Civil War Society on hand to field upwards of 600 on the battlefield, there were times when there was barely and room left. With such a large area available, the ECWS managed to let their battle ebb and flow so the whole crowd could see the action at close hand and cheer on their side.
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