Salute to the '40s
Life on the Home Front
Masses of civilian re-enactors will come from far and wide to portray 'Life on the Home Front'. Displays will include a 1940s House with Anderson Shelter, a wartime Kitchen and a WVS exhibit presented by a real evacuee. You will definitely need to keep an ear out for the air-raid siren though, as there will always be the prospect of the odd air-raid or two!
Have a go dance sessions!
A typical British Army infantry encampment will be created complete with Medical Aid Centre, Mess Tent, Radio and Communications Section, Infantry tent lines and support vehicles. For the more energetic visitors, the Cinque Ports Lindy Hoppers will be running have-a-go dance sessions.
Even the catering will be themed to the period!
A NAAFI Wagon will serve Tea and Bread Pudding, a Jones’ Butchers Van will turn out bacon ‘butties’ and Commissioner’s House will provide truly atmospheric 1940s Tea Room experiences, both traditional and black market! Wheelwrights’ Restaurant will be themed as a JP Lyons Tea Room with traditional food and drink which can be enjoyed either indoors or out.
Music that kept up wartime morale will feature in two great concerts each day. ‘Workers Playtime’, at lunchtime will see Salute to the ‘40s favourites KAS and the Clover Sisters sing, together with dancers supported by a ‘Cheeky Chappie’ comedian presenting music and humour of the period, under the direction of MC “Gypsy John”. The finale each afternoon sees one of Britain’s finest 1940s’ entertainers Fiona Harrison performing her very special show ‘The Fleet’s in Port Again’, concluding with a Grand Finale community sing-a-long. Fiona will be encouraging plenty of singing and flag waving! You can also see her at the Saturday Night Blitz Ball| and at 2pm on Sunday where she will be performing on stage with The Cinque Port Lindy Hoppers.
Why not enter into the spirit of the event by donning outfits of the period for a truly memorable experience!
‘Salute to the ‘40s’ is supported by the popular national publication Best of British Magazine|.
All The Historic Dockyard galleries and attractions are open as usual and event prices apply to the ‘Salute to the ‘40s’ weekend - return visits with the 12 month tickets are not valid but special rates will be given to 12 month ticket holders.
Click here for event prices|
The Historic Dockyard’s own very special 1940s’ collection will be on show in the shape of a steam-hauled anti-aircraft gun on the railway, an original underground bomb shelter, a Bofers AA gun and towing tractor, and of course the Second World War Destroyer HMS Cavalier| complete with her own complement of naval re-enactors from the Grey Funnel Line.