Displays & Exhibitions

The Lagunas Spitfire Legacy display showcases some of the recovered parts of Mk IIb Spitfire P8331 Sumatra which was flown by a number of well-known pilots from Polish No 303 Squadron, one of the most famous and high-scoring squadrons in the Battle of Britain.

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The aircraft is currently under restoration by Laguna’s Spitfire Legacy (LSL), a not-for-profit project.​ The team behind the project plans to restore P8331 to flying condition and believes that its historical significance in terms of its rarity and links to No 303 Squadron make it one of “the top three most important Spitfires in the world”. No flying or restored No 303 Squadron aircraft from the war years are in existence and there are no surviving Polish squadron Spitfires. LSL plans to gift the restored P8331 to the people of Poland.

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The aircraft’s pilot log contains famous names such as Kent, Drobinski, Lapkowski, Laguna and Kolaczkowski (a pre- and post-war race driver in Monte Carlo), all of whom are Polish aces associated with the Battle of Britain. ​

The Living History Campsite will be open from 10am - 4pm,  firing displays will be at 11:30am and 2:30pm with scattered Pike, Sword and other demonstrations throughout the day. 

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"Come and see Sir Gilbert Hoghtons Regiment of foot, part of The Sealed Knot society as we reenact the Royalist Garrison of Hereford in July 1645 just before the city was taken by an Army from Scotland. We will have a Living History Campsite on Castle Green with some weapons displays and talks happening throughout the weekend. Learn about the City’s gloried past, try on some clothes, hold some weapons, maybe even have a go at some 17th Century Pike Drill?".

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www.thesealedknot.org.uk

The Herefordshire Regiment was one of the Territorial Regiments created under the 1908 Haldane Army Reforms. Many members of the old Rifle Volunteers enlisted and the ranks were filled with local men.

 

Men from the Rifles Volunteers had seen service in South Africa in the Boer War and the ‘new’ Regiment was mobilized on the outbreak of the First World War; it went on to see service at Suvla Bay - Gallipoli, The Middle East and the Western Front suffering over 500 fatalities and many hundreds wounded and gaining 16 Battle Honours.

 

They were again mobilised in 1939 on the outbreak of the Second World War and landed over the beaches of Normandy on D-Day+6 as part of 11 Armoured Division. They fought in the Normandy breakout, the dash across France, the bitter winter fighting in the Low Countries before in Spring 1945 crossing the Rhine and fighting across Germany. At Flensberg they took part in the arrest of Grand Admiral Doenitz – Hitler’s successor. They suffered over 200 fatalities and gained a further 10 Battle Honours.

 

This fascinating exhibition tells these men’s story. 

Exhibition curators will be available at the exhibition daily with interactive facilities and to answer questions: Between 12.00pm - 1.00pm and 3.00pm - 4.00pm.

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The exhibition will showcase HMS CASSANDRA, a WWI era cruiser of the 6th Light Cruiser Squadron. CASSANDRA struck a mine and sank in the Baltic in December 1918 whilst partaking in Operation Red Trek: part of the British intervention in the Russian Civil War. The risk she presents, of polluting oil and chemicals from ammunition, is managed by the DE&S SALMO Wrecks team. They conducted a detailed survey of the wreck in June 2025 and the results, hot off the press, will be showcased here, alongside survivor’s accounts of her sinking. Harriett Rushton and Matt Skellhorn will be available to answer your questions daily.