All the best photos from the White Horse Military Show

Film and TV production designer and art director Richard Dalton is planning to expand the two-day show into a three-day event next August.

He’s delighted with the success of this year’s living history event, saying: “For the first time, I have managed to show people what my dreams and ambitions are for the show.”

This year’s third annual event took place on 40 acres of the Neston Park estate at South Wraxall following previous shows at Bratton and Keevil.

Around 1,000 visitors attended the two-day show on Saturday and Sunday, August 17 and 18 with next year’s dates likely to be the same weekend.

Peter Gear with the 1943 5.5 inch Howitzer gun capable of firing a 10 pound shell up to 14 miles. (Image: Trevor Porter)

Mr Dalton said: “The White Horse Military Show is a themed living museum where the whole family can come and enjoy a pleasant day.

“The site is arranged in ‘villages’ so that an atmosphere of that period can be created.

“We had around 700 reenactors from all over the UK and made 26 film sets with between 200 and 300 vehicles.

“We had 180 living history groups taking part, as well as actors and actresses in a travelling theatre who liaised with the re-enactors.

“I was very happy with the outcome and the fact that we got to put on a show for the people who visited.

“It’s like a living history festival and immersive living history museum that we created for the weekend.”

Stephen Curtis with Tina Griffen and their 1943 American half-track vehicle. (Image: Trevor Porter)

The event covered 200 years of history and featured arena displays, hairdressers, live music and vintage and military trade stands.

It came with a warning from Mr Dalton that life “is not a rehearsal” and that history is often written by the winners.

He added: “It is extremely important not to be confused between history and ideology – they are two very different things.”

Lara Clancy, part of RK living history, in her role of broadcasting for the BBC. (Image: Trevor Porter)

The show combines his work in film and television, helping to recycle and repurpose sets that the industry has discarded after use.

“We recycle and repurpose them to make them into new sets for use,” said Mr Dalton, who also works on the team for the Glastonbury music festival.

“We want to give people a chance to see history and to feel it. We keep the entrance fee low to enable families to come along and see these things.”

The re-enactors included Mary Roberts with her rare 1939 Morris Commercial ambulance, the only surviving one in the UK.

Mary Roberts with her rare 1939 Morris Commercial ambulance. (Image: Trevor Porter)