Organisers to build 1940s village for re-enactment event
A group who are staging a major re-enactment event in Dorset later this month are appealing for items from the 1940s to help furnish a special bygone village.
The organisers of Maiden Newton at War are constructing a Second World War era village for this year’s event to sit alongside a wide range of other period military and civilian displays and exhibitions.
The village will include a police station, a fire station and a pub as well as a school and a number of houses. Organisers are keen to hear from anyone who can lend them items from the era such as bicycles, buckets, school desks, telephones, food tins or other pieces to help kit out the village.
Battle Re-enactment and Dance
The biennial Maiden Newton at War event, which is taking place for the third time, will also have a range of other attractions, including military and vintage vehicle displays, exhibits of Second World War memorabilia, and a display by a Hurricane from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
There will also be a battle re-enactment on both Saturday and Sunday and a 1940s dance on Saturday evening.
The idea to add a mini village of period properties to this year’s proceedings came about after one of the Maiden Newton at War committee members, Ian Hambidge, visited a national re-enactment event and saw what was possible.
He said: “Creating an idea of some of the traditional buildings that you associate with a 1940s village really gives a sense of history and helps enhance the back-to-the-forties experience.
“And the more authentic touches we can add to the village set the better. We already have a range of items we have collected over the years we have been staging the event but we are keen to hear from other people if they have any pieces themselves.”
Ian added: “Maiden Newton already has a lot of reminders of its wartime history, such as anti-tank obstacles as well as one of the first ‘automatic’ telephone exchanges and Nissen Huts which still exist in Chilfrome Lane. We felt that adding a 1940s village to the proceedings for the weekend would further emphasise the historic feel of the location.”
Military Vehicles
Many of the Jubilee flags and bunting are also going to be left up in the village to add to the atmosphere of the Maiden Newton event and an impressive military vehicle display, Armour and Embarkation, will be visiting the event.
Preparations for the event are already well under way after a fashion show was held at Greenford School on Friday 25 May to demonstrate the fashions of the period and encourage people to come in costume for the event.
The event showcased the glamour of late thirties through the real times of austerity during the war and into the post-war celebrations. The audience were introduced to Australian Skunk furs, some of the first wedge shoes and CC41 ‘utility’ underwear!
Maiden Newton at War Event Manager Andy Elliott said “The fashion show was a great way to get people prepared for our main event on June 23 and 24. We hope that Terri Weller, who organised the fantastic show, and her models will be able to join us over the Maiden Newton at War weekend to make a few cameo appearances and to show off their extensive collection of 1940s clothing.”
Maiden Newton at War runs over the weekend of 23 and 24 June with attractions for the whole family. Tickets are available on the gate and cost £8 for an adult and £3.50 for a child. Family and weekend deals are available.
If you have items that you would be happy to lend to the event please contact Andy Elliott on 07814 451518 or via info@maidennewtonatwar.co.uk
www.maidennewtonatwar.co.uk
