Chalke History Festival returns to South Wiltshire
The event attracts thousands of people to Broad Chalke each summer
One of South Wiltshire's most popular events opens its doors to the public today as the Chalke History Festival returns.
The festival, which is held in Broad Chalke, is a staple of the summer calendar in the south of the county.
It attracts thousands of people each year, with guest speakers, live action performances and displays from various parts of history.
It opens on Monday, running until Sunday 29th June.
Founder and historian James Holland says this year is set to be the biggest event yet.
"We've got the absolutely best programme we've ever had in terms of speakers, incredible international speakers, former heads of state, leading historians from around the world, a sprinkle of Stardust and national treasure Michael Palin, coming," he said.
James added that there's more performances on show, with actors giving performances of Henry the fifth for the first, as well as an increased offering of live music.
He said: "The festival programme is just more integrated, so talks, living history, performance, music, it's all interlinked much more effectively than ever before."
As well as Monty Python star Michael Palin, other notable names speaking at the event include historian and host of 'The Rest Is History' podcast, Tom Holland, stand-up star Al Murray and Lord Michael Gove, former Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
This years event centres around a number of themes, including landscape and environment, conflict, politics and economy.
'Fail to learn from history at your peril'
James said history is vital in the modern age.
"I don't think history repeats itself," he said, continuing: "Patterns of human behaviour are repeated and I don't think that human nature is very different from it was, hundreds of years ago.
"We still feel the same feelings and emotions that we did in the past. It's just the things around us are different."
The event provides a chance for children and young adults to engage with history in different ways.
Since it's launch, the Chalke History Festival for Schools has welcomed more than 21,000 children with curriculum-based subjects.
On Monday, children from years 6, 7, 8 and 9 will be attending the festival, with years 10 and above arriving on Tuesday, while Wednesday is SEND day.
Topics and themes for this year include VE Day, the Neolithic and Bronze Ages, the History of Medicine, Iron Age building methods, and Empire.