The Victory Show Is Back In 2011

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Taken from the local paper The Leicester Mercury.

The Victory Show is set to return next autumn after it was cancelled this year because of funding problems.

The organisers of the military history event, which takes place in Cosby, have announced it will go ahead next September as a biennial festival.

The popular Second World War festival features battle reenactments, aviation displays and 1940s military gear.

The show also aims to raise money for charity, and in 2009 donated more than £5,000 to the Loros hospice, £13,000 since 2007. Organiser Steve Pepper, who hosts the show on his farmland, said: “The main backer is the family and the farm and we’re still in difficult times. Even without the financial issues it’s hard to keep the farm going. We have to plan our crops according to which fields we’re using.
“It’s all these reasons that we’re making it biennial event, rather than holding it yearly.”

Planning for next year’s show is in the early stages but organisers say they have already a variety of Second World War aircraft including a Spitfire, Mustang and two Hurricanes.

There is also a European feel to the event with re-enactment groups and a heavy weapons display coming from Portugal and Belgium.

Until last year, the show also hosted the celebrated Vulcan bomber aircraft and pulled in about 10,000 people.

Mr Pepper added: “With the Vulcan gone we’re going to have to work hard to find something as popular.

“It’s very difficult to make the show better and better each year. You can maintain the standard but you have to give people the wow factor each year.”

A Loros spokeswoman said: “We always do well at the Victory Show and we’re very grateful to them for continuing to support us.

“Without that support we wouldn’t be able to carry on providing vital services for terminally ill people and their relatives.

“It’s a lovely community event and it’s also very educational for youngsters and groups of school kids.”

Richard Foster, county manager for the Royal British Legion, added: “I think it’s wonderful that the show is back on and is able to support two very worthwhile charities.

“We work very closely with Help For Heroes and they do a wonderful job of proving support for serving personnel who are injured.”

The Victory Show, which is held on 60 acres of farmland in Cosby, will take place on Saturday, September 3, and Sunday, September 4, 2011.