A Victory Harvest October 10th 11th 2026

04/06/2026

At a Victory Harvest in October, our Village Hall will be full of pertinent advice on how to Look Good and Keep Well in Wartime.

This will include a CC41 Utility Fashion Show where models, both ladies and gentleman will be showcasing the new range of clothing available to those with enough coupons and shillings to buy new after the introduction of clothes rationing.

With period commentary explaining the 'whys' and 'wheres',, you'll be amazed at the colour and style on show as well as learning about how every aspect of our life was geared to help the war effort.

11/05/2026

Farming life changed quite quickly after the outbreak of the war.
Fathers and sons were called up to fight, meaning that the hard manual labour wouldn't be done. Up stepped the Women's Land Army to keep our farms going.
Come and see the varied tasks that the WLA took on, and did so well keeping the nation fed. In some cases Local Deffence Volunteers (the early Home Guard) also helped out, when they weren't on deffence duties.
We'll have some of this year's lambs with us, although many pasture animals were culled early on in the war, as there was a fear that food would run out. The lack of animals meant that meat had to be rationed, then with the lack of animal manure to fertilise the land, later in the war, our soil became poor and the crop yields were struggling.
See our flour milling demonstration, and learn why bread was not rationed, learn about fruit picking, vermin control, machinery maintenance and more.
The WLA farmyard is on your left, as you leave reception. We look forward to seeing you, and always love to hear anyone's WLA family history and stories.

27/03/2026

Wartime Britain saw civilians and their families experience many shortages, as well as having to cope with a hectic and demanding life whilst dealing with worries and fears on a daily basis.

Following a visit to our 'A Victory Harvest' event in October, you'll be able to take home some wartime life hacks which are still very relevant to our life today.

Our Village Hall, full of displays on the theme of
'Look Good, Keep Well in Wartime'
can show you how to spend less on clothing and accessories. There'll be tricks to keep energy bills low. You'll find out how to eat healthily with quick but nutritious meals. And how to keep fit and healthy with ways to cope with the stress of today's living.

All indoors (if it's a rainy day) in the lovely historic village area at Kent Life, Maidstone.

22/02/2026

In case you were wondering, there's lots going on behind the scenes. Look out for proper updates very soon, there's a few new things for this year.
We're so pleased to see that Kent Life have added the event to their promotional posters, and the team are looking forward to welcoming us, and you, the visitors back for another wonderful Victory Harvest. We hope the date's in your diaries.

16/02/2026

Well, what a day that was yesterday!
Brollies were no match for the deluge that continued all day long.
Even the wartime Emergency Washing Units would have postponed their vital work for the factory workers and blitz victims in weather like that.

The uncertainty of the British weather can affect our days out, especially in October. Our Victory Harvest weekend last year was fine and dry and with luck, it will be the same for this years event.

Plans for this year are well underway. We will be packing in lots more indoor activities to participate in and enjoy. making this a great day out, whatever the weather brings our way.

Keep popping in to find out more.

17/01/2026

If it's not too late, we'd like to wish you all a Happy New Year, and hope the Winter isn't being too unkind.

Talks are taking place regarding plans for this years event. You all helped make it so enjoyable and memorable last year, both as people taking part and the public interaction. We want it to be equally good this year, or even better!

We'll bring you more as it happens.

31/10/2025

Rather nice video find on youtube which gives a flavour of the event and the great site it was held on this year.
Something for every generation and interest.

❤️Take a trip back in time with Trixie for the last time of the season, I hope you have enjoyed seeing a glimpse into the life of a 1940s reinacter ❤️ ...

27/10/2025

During the Harvest Festival, the village made a very good showing of baked produce entered for judging. Sir Eyre Gordon kindly volunteered for the tasting of all produce to determine winning entries.

Unfortunately Her Majesty the Queen, who graciously had arranged to present the winner's prizes, was sadly indisposed at the time due to a seasonal illness. The whole village sent their best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Due to accompany Her Majesty was Lady Denman, chair of the National Federation of Women's Institutes. Her Ladyship kindly offered to present the cups in Her Majesty's place.

The winners were:-
Best Wartime Biscuit Mrs J Thackery
Best Wartime Scone The Land Army Rat Catcher, Carrie Paige
Best Eggless Cake, From the ATS, Hatty Auld.

Overall winner to be announced shortly.
Well done every-one.

14/10/2025

What a wonderful weekend at Kent Life museum. The whole village came to life, in the early war years of the 1940's. Everyone involved put on a good quality, immersive living history weekend, allowing people to step back in time. Who knew so much went on in a little Kentish Village. The public were very interested, asked questions, joined in and made all our efforts so worth while. Thank you to those that took part, and to those that visited.

11/10/2025

There's so much to see and do.