Phoebe Coggin trying a few poses as Victorian lady frightened by Spitfire.

The visual theme we’re establishing this year, and we hope to continue in the future, is distinctively modern as well as colourful. Johnny Bull, our art director, with the help of his neighbour, plundered the dressing-up box in at Broad Chalke Village Hall, and got his daughter, Phoebe and his neighbour’s daughter, Millie, to don Victorian finery and look as though they were being chased a Spitfire.
His account of a bizarre morning: “My daughter dressing up and posing as someone being buzzed by a Spitfire. The cover of this year’s Chalke Valley History Festival brochure shows Phoebe and our neighbour, Millie, dressed as Victorians taking the air and being surprised, maybe terrified, at the sight of a Spitfire howling through the valley on the way back from a sortie, maybe chasing bombers over the Nab Tower. It’s a montage, so they’re not really frightened, just a bit cold… Anyway, here’s Feebs going through the acting paces. Takes after her mother, clever and beautiful. Thank goodness”