The Tank Museum has recruited a corps of top experts to speak at its annual TankFest being held this autumn and tickets are now going on sale.
The museum, which spent much of the last 12 months closed due to lockdowns, will hold its popular annual TankFest this autumn, with tickets available from Saturday 1st May 2021.
Despite being postponed due to the pandemic, the TankFest is currently set to go ahead from Friday 17th September to Monday 20th September 2021.
The museum is revving up for its reopening on Monday 17th May 2021 in accordance with government coronavirus advice.
TankFest in 2019
“Still offering everything that makes TankFest special”
A spokesperson for the Tank Museum said:
“We’ve delayed the date, but we’re still offering everything that makes TankFest special: the best display of historic moving armour in the world; guest vehicles; living history encampments and demonstrations; trade stands; and plenty of time to explore The Tank Museum, complete with a new World War Two exhibition for 2021.”
Speakers for the festival
The Tank Museum has announced several speakers to share their knowledge and insights at this year’s TankFest.
These include former tank commander Lieutenant Colonel Dick Taylor, who is an official Royal Armoured Corps historian and author of The Second World War Tank Crisis. He will be doing book signings at the event.
Tim Strickland MBE will also attend to talk about his new book Strick, Tank Hero of Arras – an account of his father’s life and service in France, North Africa and Italy during World War Two.
Royal Tank Regiment commander Lieutenant Colonel Jim Howard and Gulf War veteran Major General Patrick Cordingley will also be speaking.
What to expect
TankFest is an extravagant celebration over four days of all things related to tanks – and enthusiasts will still have lots of activities to enjoy, in spite of the pandemic.
As well as the guest speakers, there will also be live demonstrations where visitors can see various tanks from the museum’s collection in action.
The festival will also include live entertainment, which will include history group demonstrations, live 1940s music and show and tell sessions.
Covid safety
The Tank Museum has seen diminished numbers of visitors over the past year due to the pandemic.
While the government’s vaccination programme is expected to have extensively protected the population by September, the Tank Museum nevertheless says that social distancing and reduced numbers of arena spectators will be likely at this year’s TankFest.
Visitors to the Tank Museum on regular days will be required to follow government guidelines including the rule of six.
They will also need to book in advance before attending.
Further information
To find out more about the Tank Museum, TankFest and for booking trips, visit the Tank Museum’s website.
