The April 2007 Walton Hall Militaria Fair was the last one at this location due to the ill health of the land owner.

We were in discussion with English Heritage with a view to returning to Tilbury Fort . Unfortunately we have now received the following email:

Message Received: Apr 27 2007, 10:27 PM
From: "COLE, Neil"
To: "colin tebb"
Cc: "HERRELL, Laura" , "HAYDEN, Mark" , "TRUSS, Bernie"
Subject: Tilbury Fort Military Boot Fairs

Dear Colin,

I am writing to inform you that unfortunately we, English Heritage are not looking to re-visit hosting Military Boot Fairs at Tilbury Fort, or likewise site properties.

I can assure you your wishes regarding a return to Tilbury Fort have been listened too and I would like to thank Mark who has kept me updated through out his research and communication with you. As I am sure you can understand, English Heritage has a broad commercial outlook in our effort to achieve 0% deficit on site operations by the year 2010, however we must also protect the brand name and ensure our sites remain open to the public, our core business.

English Heritage has an active Events department who work closely with our department, Visitor Operations and we feel we are unable to accommodate your Boot Fairs at the site, based upon site management, Health & Safety and the visitor experience / opening hours.

Whilst I sympathise with your current situation our decision on this matter is final.

I am happy to discuss this further, if you wish to contact me directly.

Regards

Neil Cole

Head of Visitor Operations

East of England Region

We will now be seeking the branch members ideas and a mandate as to here we go from here.

Watch this space for an announcement!

If the decision is to find a site for a new Militaria Fair it would be run on the same lines as our previous ones at Tilbury Fort and Walton Hall Museum

Stalls selling all types of militaria: uniforms, medals, badges, books, spares, kit and all those other military item we all look for.

Members will be encouraged to arrive in their military vehicles and we have always found there are quite a few to be admired.

Entrance will be free to MVT members and those turning up in their military vehicles.

All will be welcome including families

All proceeds are used by the Essex Area MVT, a registered charity, to promote events that publicise and help veterans, their events and the preservation of historic military vehicles.

Anyone wishing to have a stall should contact us for more details  

Watch this space for an announcement!