The Fovant Badges Society is Registered Charity Number 1045087

One of the ways in which we raise funds is through the sale of booklets and postcards:

The booklet that gives a comprehensive account of the history and the aims of the society including articles on the various regiments stationed in the area. Also included are some excellent photographs of the badges on the downs, information on how to become a member of our society and, also incorporated, are two postcards showing the badges on the downs and the war graves at Fovant church,

The following is a list of the suggested minimum donations for these items, including all postage and packing.

   
 The Fovant Badges Booklet

There is also a leaflet that includes a membership application and donation form.

Even if you feel unable to make a donation, we thank you for visiting our web-site and hope that you may one day pass by the Badges in the Chalk and stop and wonder at them.

Orders can be placed with the Publications Officer whose address is on 'Contact Us'

Please send cheque to the value of the booklets and cards required payable to the Fovant Badges Society. Alternatively the booklets can be ordered online from the Shaftesbury Tourist shop, http://www.shaftesburydorset.com/

Prince Edward, the RWY and regimental Guidon

HRH The Earl of Wessex Becomes Our New Patron

At our service in 2008 our President , General Sir John Wilsey, was pleased to announce that Prince Edward had honoured the Society by accepting our invitation to become our Patron; this gesture very much underlines Prince Edward’s interest and support for the work of the Fovant Badges Society. One of the badges is that of the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry, a constituent unit in the Royal Wessex Yeomanry of which Prince Edward is the Royal Honorary Colonel. The photo shows Price Edward as guest of honour at the 2007 Annual Drumhead Service inspecting members of the RWY.

The party on Fovant Down

Visit of the Kiwi Primary School Bulford Camp to The Fovant Badges

In late March 2012 more than 50 pupils, staff and parents of the Kiwi Primary School Bulford Camp visited the Fovant Badges. It is believed to be the first time that a school party has visited this historic site. Many of the children visiting are the sons and daughter of serving military personnel so it was altogether appropriate that they should be the first school to visit these historic military badges many of which were originally carved by troops stationed at Fovant Camp during WW1.

The visit started at the renowned Emblems Restaurant, which has magnificent views of the badges, where the party was welcomed by representatives of the Fovant Badges Society and the Fovant History Interest Group. The party then went up on Fovant Down to look at the badges at close quarters. Hannah Lockyer, teacher and organiser of the visit said that:

“The children have really enjoyed the visit and learnt so much about the military camp and these magnificent badges. The views from on top of the hill are breathtaking and the weather absolutely perfect. We shall definitely arrange further visits and recommend the badges to our colleagues at other schools.”

Whilst the children clearly enjoyed the visit they also had to complete a work book that had been prepared by staff at the Kiwi School. Liz Harden and Margaret Mckenzie of the Fovant History Interest Group had prepared an exhibition of photographs, maps and other memorabilia of the WW1 Fovant Camp at Fovant Village Hall where the party ate their lunch.

Richard Bullard of the Fovant Badges Society who had helped to organise the visit explained that:

“With our friends from the Fovant History Group we are developing a “teachers pack” about the camp and the badges which we hope to make available to Wiltshire and other schools to encourage more young people to become aware of the badges and their local and national importance. This visit is therefore very timely and we have learnt so much that will help us to achieve our objectives. I thoroughly enjoyed the visit and the staff and parent of Kiwi School should be very proud of their children who were so well behaved and truly interested throughout the visit.”

Dates for your diary

Drum Head Service
The Drum Head Service in 2012 will be held at East Farm on Sunday, July 1st.