Special weekend celebrating 100 years since the end of WWI.
On 8th and 9th September, Highclere Castle will welcome several thousand visitors to engage with the past and raise money for charity. With SSAFA as one of the charity partners, attendees can enjoy a fun day out whilst knowing that their visit will make a difference to today’s Armed Forces family in need.
Highlights of the weekend will include:
- A First World War operating theatre recreated – as it would have been during the war
- Modern day soldiers and veterans, along with military medical staff, on hand to talk about their experience of the Forces
- A tribute to aviation and pilots – with a special memorial unveiled at 10.30am on Sunday by Chaplains from around the world
- The Red Arrows (Saturday) and The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (Lancaster Bomber, Hurricane and Spitfire). Europe’s only B17 will be present on both days as well as a Typhoon Display, the Tiger 9 Formation Team and the Great War Display Team.
- Military Wives Choir will perform and a 1920’s band will form part of the musical entertainment
- Around the Castle, vintage cars, mock football games as played in war times and planes will be on show. A tea tent, a dance tent and a speakers’ tent with well-known literary names to include Robert Harris
- SSAFA Ambassador and former war correspondent, Kate Adie will be speaking
James Grant, Head of Corporate Fundraising & Events at SSAFA said:
“We are delighted to be partnered with such an exciting event – it’s so important to keep the memories of the past alive. As the only national charity who supported all three of the Armed Forces during WWI, we are especially proud to still be here today doing just that.”
It has become clear over more than 130 years of providing Forces support that everyone faces different challenges, so SSAFA uses a tailored approach to meet the needs of today’s serving community. Whether it’s practical, emotional and financial support – SSAFA is there to serve the Armed Forces family every step of the way.
For tickets, head to: highclerecastleshop.co.uk/categories/heroes-at-highclere
Notes to editors – SSAFA
SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, has been providing lifelong support to our Forces and their families since 1885. Every year our staff and team of volunteers help more than 73,000 people, from Second World War veterans to young men and women who have served in more recent conflicts.
For more information visit www.ssafa.org.uk and follow us on Twitter: @SSAFA.
Notes for editors – Highclere Castle
- Highclere Castle is a country house in the Jacobethan style by the architect Charles Barry, with a park designed by Capability Brown. The 5,000-acre estate is in Hampshire, England, about 5 miles south of Newbury, Berkshire.
- The Highclere Estate farms just over 2,000 arable acres in Hampshire. Crops include oats for horse (and human) consumption, milling and feed wheat, barley, haylage and winter oil seed rape, linseed and winter beans.
- Highclere Castle was the venue for the award winning TV series Downton Abbey.
- Read Lady Carnarvon’s blog ladycarnarvon.com
- Lady Carnarvon tours both the UK and the US giving talks and presentations about Highclere, heritage and anecdotes to bring historic stories alive.
- Lady Carnarvon has written various illustrated Guidebooks about the Castle and its history as well as two short books about Egypt and the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamen.
- highclerecastle.co.uk
- Twitter @HighclereCastle
