From the Wild West to the Gulf War, there is no better place to find the history of warfare. Chris Price reports on Military Odyssey.

The wild west arrives at Military Odyssey this year. More than 2,000 years of history can be seen at the annual festival of ancient and modern wars, including the Wyoming Wild Bunch, who have been setting up their own arena at the event for 10 years.

Chairman and founder member Chris Large has been doing this kind of thing for 35 years and has no doubt over what the point of the group’s show is.

“We have gone into it to blow things up,” he said with a gleeful tone. The group recreate wild west-style battles, building their own story and characters. Although they are not historical events, they give a flavour of what life was like in dustbowl America.

The groups members are not simply budding-thespian pyromaniacs, however, and willingly answer questions from visitors. Chris has even lectured on the wild west in America.

“I enjoy meeting the public,” said the 64-year-old, who set up the group in 1990.

“We get families asking us a lot of questions because we do short sharp stories. If it goes on too long people get bored. If you see people walking away you know you’ve lost it. They are only 15 minute shows but they are powerful and incorporate horses, explosions and gunfire.”

It takes the group a day to set up their teepees and saloons for their shows, and all the members wear authentic clothing, made by Chris’ wife. Known as “the landlord,” Chris admits it is not a cheap hobby but does not go into figures. He always plays a cowboy, as he claims could never pull off a part as an Indian.

“You get out of it what you put into it, like most hobbies,” he said, adding that a lot of the groups know each other, building a kind of reenactment family.

“You have got 2,000 years of history at the Military Odyssey, with all different people doing different things. Even if you have just a quick look round you quickly let your hair down and enjoy yourself.”

Now in its 12th year, Military Odyssey will host more than 4,000 reenactors and 90 stalls on the 280 acre Kent Showground at Detling. A main battlefield is backed up by three arenas showing conflicts from through the ages.

The Greeks, Romans, Celts, Vikings, Samurais and Normans are all represented along with groups from British history. The English Civil War, Wars of the Roses and the Napoleonic Wars are all covered. The latter inparticular is extremely popular with reenactors from the 21eme de Ligne 1812 to 1815, 41st Regiment of Foot, 12th Light Dragoons, 79th Cameron Highlanders, La Garde Imperiale and the 50th Regiment of Foot showing what life was like in the 19th century.

First World War groups the 10th Essex and Alte Armee, are joined by the Hessian Germans and Kameraden 1914.

More than 40 Second World War groups will show off forces from the Allies – Russian, British and French – and Axis Forces including German and Italians.

“They all take it very seriously indeed,” said Chris. “We all do.”

Military Odyssey is at the Kent Showground, Detling, from Saturday, August 25 until Bank Holiday Monday. Gates 9.30am, events from 10am, closes 5.30pm on Saturday and 5pm on Sunday and Monday. Tickets £16.50, seniors £13.50, children £10, families £48. Weekend tickets £44.50, seniors £36.50, children £27. More details atwww.military-odyssey.com