The Royal Tournament will this year celebrate its 105th anniversary. In 1880 the Duke of Cambridge, Commander-in-Chief of the Army for forty years, gave his permission for the event, with the caveat that a minimum sum of ú500 was raised for the Royal Cambridge Asylum for Soldiers' Widows. The money was not raised that year. Years later though, with many changes, the Tournament continues. All profits from the show benefit service charities every year.
This year, The RAF take their position as lead service. The Armed Forces as a whole view the Tournament as a great opportunity to celebrate the recent anniversary of VE Day, when Britain and its allies won back war-torn Europe. Air Force bands from Canada, Australia, South Africa, India and Malaysia will join the RAF Massed Bands to perform celebratory songs.
The Opening of the show will re-enact the original declaration of World War II. Scenes from the Blitz, when British cities were threatened by Nazi bombers will follow. Bombed out buildings, houses on fire, search and rescue vehicles and dogs filling the scene. All three Armed Forces will be putting on performances portraying D Day, the advance into Germany, as well as the celebrations of both VE and VJ Day.
The show promises to be one of the best Royal Tournaments ever. The list of events includes a Musical Drive by Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery, The Royal Navy Field Gun Competition and the new services Dog Display Team. New attractions this year are guaranteed to build on a great tradition of energetic and spectacular features. The Tournament will feature The Queens Colour Squadron, a US Army band, Gurkhas in action, the French Foreign Legion and the Russian Armed Forces. The RAF's Motor Sports Association competition should be a high point - teams will scramble bikes over a dangerous obstacle course.
The finale of this years' show will be the invitation of the audience into the arena to join in with a VE Day street party and sing along to wartime hits. Each performance will also feature three different veterans associations parading with their standards.
Earls Court took over hosting the Royal Tournament after it became too large for the Agricultural Hall at Islington in 1906. A Zeppelin was one year present at Earls Court, so that the RAF could shoot it down. This year a large exhibition/children's activity area will cover two floors. The "Royal Tournament Experience" will offer visitors the chance to ride on a smulated rigid raiding craft; climb inside a Tornado or other aircraft; have a go on the Army's parachute training jump; drive an electric Go-Kart; become Jungle Jim on the Army's special children's assault course or take part in the Qasar Laser game. Members of all three forces will be there showing off the equipment and vehicles they use and answering questions on the service.
All in all, the Royal Tournament this year should prove to be great fun. A fitting tribute to 105 years of service involvement with the Tournament.
Tickets are available from the Box Office on INT'L: +44 171 244 0371 and are prices at ú5.00, ú11.00, ú18.00 and ú24.00. Special discounts are available for children, senior citizens and groups of 20 or more.
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