Organisers of a historical re-enactment event are hoping for their biggest ever crowd – with visitors due to come to Essex from as far afield as Bristol and the north of England.
The third Temple at War takes place at Cressing Temple Barns on the weekend of May 13-14, where people can walk around and engage with the re-enactors.
Organised by the Caton family, from Chelmsford, 900 re-enactors ranging from the First World War to the Cold War will set up camp for the weekend show – and help stage a large mock Second World War battle.
As well as the battle, other top attractions will be a Hurricane fly-past on the Saturday and musical performances , plus this year there will be a full German encampment.
Glenn Caton said: “We are learning a lot each year, and we are over the moon with early ticket sales. We are overwhelmed with the positive feedback and support we have received.
“We have our regular re-enactors and it is becoming a bit of a reunion. All credit goes to them, they give up their weekends and what they put into it is second to none.”
It has become so much of a reunion that a marriage has come out of it, with two re-enactors from different groups who met at a previous Temple of War event.
Helping Glenn is wife Nicola and sons Tom, 26, and Edd, 24, with planning meetings taking place at the family home.
“Last year we had 4,000 people, this year we are expecting more than 6,000 – but if it becomes too big we will stop sales as we want to keep the quality of the experience up.
“The battle, with 150 re-enactors and pyrotechnics, is always great, and the whole German encampment this year will look impressive all set up in the woods.
“We encourage people to come early and stay later because there’s tonnes to see and do.”
The show is open from 9am-5pm on Saturday, and 10am-4pm on Sunday.
Tickets cost £36 for a family (two adults, two children), £12.50 adult, £7.50 child for the day.
An early bird discount is available from the website until April 1.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here