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Crowds travel Back to the Forties at IWM Duxford

IWM Duxford - forties event

IWM Duxford - forties event Sunday 29 September saw visitors fully embrace the wartime era as they went Back to the Forties at IWM Duxford.

Visitors of all ages looked the part as they embodied wartime elegance from head to toe and contributed fantastically to the 1940s atmosphere across the museum. Visitors met a wide range of wartime characters, both military and home front. These included a wartime bobby, Land Army girls, an ARP Warden, a char lady, members of the Home Guard and the members of the Royal Air Force.

There were performances of those wonderfully recognisable wartime classic songs by vintage vocalists Pete Wayre, Marina Mae and Nina Rae, which got visitors up and dancing on the hangar base as vintage aircraft took off from the historic airfield behind. The singing performances were complemented by a vintage DJ playing swing classics, which kept the dancing going throughout the afternoon, in the autumnal sunshine.

There were Ministry of Food talks and demonstrations, suggesting innovative ways to help eak out the ration to feed the family healthy and filling meals. There was a display and talks about Fashion on the Ration and how to look elegant despite clothing coupons and shortages.

We had demonstrations of how to beat a fire bomb and also how an RAF Operations Room works. There was also a wonderful display of vintage cars and military vehicles. Wing Co Joe's Cafe had the bunting out and Dig for Victory food on the menu.

The Cambs and Beds Lindy Experience showed us how to really cut a rug on the dancefloor with lindy and jitterbug demonstrations and then got the audience up to have a go at some 1940s dances themselves.

There was a sombre moment as Prime Minister Winston Churchill took to the stage to give his rousing speeches. In true wartime spirit, three cheers were given for the Prime Minister.

This was then followed by the final judging of the Best Dressed competition, where the most dapper chap and glamorous lady were awarded the Best Dressed accolade.

As the event closed, the dancing and wartime music was still continuing on the hangar base in true Blitz spirit.

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Duxford, Cambridgeshire

Discover the history of war time Britain at the Imperial War Museum Duxford. It houses large exhibits, including the aircraft and military and naval vehicles...

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Military Museums