Plan your day
Plan your day
Please note our Fort Southwick and Map Room tours leave at 9:45, 11:00, 12:15, 1:30 and 2:45. Map Room tours take approx. 2 hours and Fort Southwick visit takes approx. 2.5hrs. Ticket holders for these experiences should report to the bus stop opposite the Squires Paddock 10 minutes before their departure time. Please plan your day accordingly to avoid disappointment.
Saturday and Sunday timings the same unless specified
Morning:
09:30 – Ringing of the bells of Victory (St James’ Church) (Saturday only)
10.00 – Motorcade (Through the village) followed by Cadet Field Gun procession accompanied by RMVCC Band – Gosport (Squires Paddock)
10:30 – Muriele French Singer (Squires Paddock)
10:45 – D-Day Commemorative Service (St James’ Church) (Sunday only)
A Service of Thanksgiving for the ingenuity, determination, courage, and success of D Day’s Operation Overlord and for the Victory, Freedom, and Peace the Operation established in Europe.
11.00 – Military Wives Choir (Event Marquee) (Saturday Only)
Please note this is free to attend but seating is a first come, first served basis.
11.00 – Andrew Whitmarsh: D Day Landing Craft (Event Marquee) (Sunday only)
Please note this is free to attend but seating is a first come, first served basis.
11.15 – RMVCC Band Gosport display (Saturday only) – followed by
Field Gun Competition: HMS Excellent RNVCC v Portsmouth Division RMVCC (Squires Paddock)
12:00 – The Horndean Band (Village Green)
Afternoon:
12:35 – Muriele French Singer (Playing Field)
13:00 – The Horndean Band March (up West Street to Village Green) (Saturday Only)
13:00 – THE GRAND OPENING by Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire Colonel (Retd.) Charles Ackroyd TD RD DL and descendants of Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF) (Village Green) (Saturday only)
13.15 – RMVCC Band Gosport display (Saturday only) – followed by
Field Gun Competition: HMS Excellent RNVCC v Portsmouth Division RMVCC (Squire’s Paddock)
13:50 BBMF Lancaster flypast (Sunday Only)*
14:00-14:45 – The Horndean Band (Village Green)
14.30 – RMVCC Band Gosport display (Saturday only) – followed by
Field Gun Competition: HMS Excellent RNVCC v Portsmouth Division RMVCC (Squires Paddock)
14:30 – 1940’s Fashion Parade Best Dressed Competition (Golden Lion pub marquee)
15:00-16:00 – DESCENDANTS OF SHAEF PANEL DISCUSSION HOSTED BY NICK GIRDLER (Event Marquee) (Saturday Only)
Please note this is free to attend but seating is a first come, first served basis.
15:00 – 15 Minute shorts – Spitfire Patrol Play (Event Marquee) (Sunday only)
Please note this is free to attend but seating is a first come, first served basis.
15:30 – Stephen Prince – Operation Neptune talk (Event Marquee) (Sunday only)
15:15 – Muriele French Singer (Family Picnic Area)
15:15 – Wartime Singalong (Village Green)
16:00 – Presentation of Field Gun Trophy (outside Church) (Sunday only)
16:30 – Motorcade (through the village)
Other entertainment available during the weekend:
Red Lion pub: Join us for a day full of 1940s live music, jive dancing, vintage fashion and accessories. We will be serving food inside the pub as well as a hog roast, chilli nacho stand and an outside bar.
Golden Lion pub: Musical Entertainment and delicious homemade food to eat in or take away.
D-Day Memorial Hall: Mother Attwell’s 1940’s Tearoom. Home baked cakes, teas, and coffees. Pre-booked lunches for Map Room Visitors from 10:00 – 16:00 on presentation of your Lunch Ticket.
The Old Smithy: Join local florist Lily & Bee for rolling 1940’s flower arranging workshops
Squire’s Paddock: Cadet Field Gun Runs, Period fun-fair, children’s activities, Focaccia Van, Ice Creams, Tea and Coffee and picnic area.
12 High Street: 1940’s Hairdressers – charges apply.
Southwick Barn: Home Front display by The Baker Street Boys, and Models for Hero’s display
St James’ Church: War on the Farm Exhibition, The Role of Admiral Sir Bertram Ramsay, and 1940’s Wedding Dresses Display
HMS Sultan Steam Bus: Leaving from The Old Smithy running 10:30 – 15:30
Event Marquee Talks: Please note this year there is no cost to attend these talks but spaces are on a first come, first served basis.
Family Picnic Area: Family picnic area with Crescent Spoon, Little Coffee Co., and Dig for Victory display.
Drove Road Stalls: Selection of vintage traders. An Aladdin’s cave of wonders.
Village Recreation Ground: Military Vehicles: British and Allied Forces, over 50 World War II vehicles, from motorbikes and the iconic Jeeps and iconic Landing Craft replica.
Old Schoolhouse, West Street: 1940’s School Lessons: Children under 14 can experience what school was like in their grandparent’s day, complete with air raid drills! Schools lesson Saturday: 11:00, 12:00, 14:00 and Sunday: 13:00, 14:00. There are no costs to attend these lessons, but spaces are limited and on a first come, first served basis.
Walking History Tours: Free guided tours of the village led by knowledgeable locals. Discover what makes Southwick peculiar. Meet outside the D-Day Memorial Hall, 11:30, 12:30, 13:30, 14:30, 15:30 Saturday and Sunday
With thanks to Our Event Partner
With thanks to Our Headline Sponsor:
With thanks to our 2024 event sponsors:
