18/12/2025
Incredibly well put by Packing Iron.
It is a crying shame to lose Chatham Militaria Fair, shrinking the calendar for well attended, fairly priced and frequent opportunities for all elements of the community to come together.
Ending of Chatham Militaria Fair
On Sunday 14th December it was my honour to attend the last Chatham Militaria Fair. The large attendance of traders and public showed both the importance of the event and the affection that is felt towards it.
It is sad that, after 25 years, this premier event has not ended due to financial problems or a lack of interest, but because a major museum is no longer interested in supporting other areas of the heritage industry. The Historic Dockyard Chatham is turning its back on the many experts, traders, historians, collectors and reenactors who have been able to meet there, share knowledge, and remember the past.
These are the people who share the same aims as the museum, people who wish to keep the memory of the past alive, to commemorate past actions and learn from history. Maybe they feel these noble aims should only be carried out by large, established museums, not smaller groups and individuals. But I hope they would agree that, in today’s difficult times, many people, including our leaders, would benefit from a greater awareness of what history can continue to teach us. Over the years, the Chatham Militaria Fair has played its part in delivering such lessons.
Over the 15 years I have attended the Fair, I have seen school age children grow up into keen historians and reenactors. These young people have gained much from their monthly visits to the Fair, buying books, uniforms, equipment and other artifacts. But more importantly, it has been a venue to meet other like-minded people for the free exchange of information and knowledge. In a time when making personal connections can be difficult for some, events like this are important for people’s mental health as well as their education.
Having worked in a museum I understand some of the financial pressures that are placed on the heritage industry and would have thought that now, more than ever, all parts of the industry, however small or large, should work together to support each other. It is a pity that the Historic Dockyard does not want to support others and financially help themselves at the same time. It may be that with lucrative film location contracts the museum is no longer interested in earning additional income from events such as the Chatham Militaria Fair.
I would be interested in knowing why a museum with such an important naval and military history would turn its back on a grass-roots event that encourages of the study of history – a study that may lead many to want to visit the museum.
If you are also disappointed by the actions of The Historic Dockyard Chatham please share this message on your page. You can also email the museum and let them know how you feel!
Email the museum at - [email protected]
Thank you for reading this,
Neil Sinclair.
