HISTORIC RIFLEMEN SET UP CAMP IN EASTLEIGH

10.50.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 9th Jun 2008

Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne was among hundreds of local residents who turned out to see volunteers from all over the country re-enacting an army camp of the Napoleonic period on the Leigh Road recreation ground.

The 29 volunteers - including families - from as far afield as Oldham in Lancashire as well as Hampshire, Kent and Sussex participated this weekend in a living re-enactment of a 2/95th Rifles recruiting party of the Napoleonic period.

The two-day event involved a drill of the time including firing of replica rifles, and a camp site in the style of the 1808 to 1814 Peninsula wars in Spain and Portugal.

Mr Huhne is pictured here with commanding officer Lieutenant Neil Collins from Havant, Sergeant Andrew Blake from Fareham, and local councillors Chris Thomas and Peter Wall who backed the idea on the local area committee..

Mr Huhne said: "I was impressed by the authenticity of all the equipment and clothing, and astonished at the thick felt that soldiers of that period would have worn even through the hot summers in Spain and Portugal.

"This kind of event brings history alive particularly for children who otherwise think of the battles fought by the Duke of Wellington as something dry as dust from a history book.

"The wars against Napoleon were a key turning point in our history, and Hampshire played a crucial role both in the navy and the army of the time. The volunteers are off to participate in the Battle of Waterloo re-enactment in the next fortnight, and let's just hope they beat the French again" said Mr Huhne.

Before the drill and skirmish display, the Hanging Tree band played from the bandstand numbers including the Rifles own theme tune "Over the hills and far away".