Beating Retreat: historic military spectacle returns to Hole Park
A much-anticipated historic ceremony and military spectacle will return to Hole Park in Rolvenden, Kent, next month for the first time in over ten years.
On Tuesday 8 July, Hole Park will be the venue for the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF) Kent Branch Annual Beating Retreat Ceremony. The event will take place in the presence of the Lord Lieutenant of Kent, the Lady Colgrain, who will take The Salute.
A military spectacle and musical extravaganza
The event is also being promoted as a ‘musical extravaganza’, with the celebrated Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas joining the Cranbrook Town Band to perform during the early evening Reception at this ticketed, family-friendly occasion. The Queen’s Regimental Association Corps of Drums will also take part, performing ahead of the formal ceremony.
Wine, soft drinks and canapés will be served during the Reception, which begins at 18:30, followed by the Beating Retreat ceremony. The evening will conclude with the moving Last Post and flag-lowering ceremony at 20:45.
Guests will also have the opportunity to explore a static display of military vehicles and artefacts during the Reception.
“Beating Retreat was once a regular feature of this country’s military calendar for centuries, but it is now a special annual event, and we are delighted to welcome it back to the gardens,” said Edward Barham, owner of Hole Park.
“This historic spectacle was last held here in 2011, when we celebrated 100 years since the purchase of the property by my great-grandfather, Colonel Arthur Barham. It is a great honour to host it once again—especially in a year when the gardens have been recognised as a finalist in the prestigious Historic Houses Garden of the Year Award.”
The ceremony was last held at Hole Park in 2011
Colonel Arthur Barham was the second in an unbroken line of six generations of the Barham family to have served in the Army—a proud tradition that continues today with the latest generation and future custodians of Hole Park.
This family-friendly event is ticketed and held in support of the ABF Kent Branch. Tickets are available to purchase via the Hole Park website, priced at £25 for adults and £10 for children under 16.