IT took a lot to break the spirit of the British people during the Second World War – something the Nazis never quite achieved.

How appropriate then that more than seven decades later a celebration of such an historic time should withstand a fit of pique from Mother Nature.

The occasion was the marvellous three-day Goodwood Revival set around the famous motor racing circuit near Chichester. It rained. And rained. Then it rained some more.

Bringing the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s back to life, the Revival is a spectacular sojourn into the past – and almost three days of seemingly endless rain was never going to dampen the spirits of the many thousands who converge on the West Sussex motor circuit every September in their finery and their immaculate outfits to add real authenticity to an event where no stone is left unturned to recreate an extraordinary period in British history.

Yes, the car park truly resembled a bog by day three. Yes, the elegant track girls had to run for cover during large parts of the proceedings. Yes, the marquees and shops from yesteryear proved even more of a draw then usual. Yes, wellies and raincoats at times replaced elegant shoes and furs. But at no point did the soggy weather wash away the high spirits or detract from what is always a wonderful occasion.

There was the usual heady mix of motor racing from a golden era complete with the usual thrills and spills on the wet track, a plethora of static flying machines from a bygone age to complement the airborne might of the Second World War Lancaster bomber and the Spitfire, and glorious outfits featuring everything from RAF?pilots to mechanics in their oil-stained overalls and dapper ladies in their 1940s and 1950s finery to the bobby dazzlers of the 1960s.

And this year the organisers arguably outdid themselves with the addition of a sublime fashion show in the Emporium which told the compelling story of a couple’s journey through life set against the impressive backdrop of a ticking clock and a series of key moments in time.

Goodwood Revival itself has become something of a key moment in time, a real institution, and that’s something that the weather will never change.