It’s almost time for one of Milton Keynes Museum’s most popular annual events, when the clock is turned back to the 1940s for a weekend of wartime wonder.
Gi 44/45 Living History Americans will be showing how our allies worked and lived during the turmoil of the second world war. British Forces will be represented by the 693 RAF Group, with the Oxford Home Guard Group reminding us of all those working on defence throughout our islands.
Women played an invaluable role in wartime Britain, taking over the roles vacated when the men went off to join the military.
More than 200,000 Land Girls Land Girls provided the hard graft needed on the farms to keep a nation nourished - learn more on September 5 & 6 when you can step back to the era.
Food was still limited, though, and rations were the norm.
Everything we take for granted now was most certainly not on the menu in the 1940s, but if you swing by the Family at War display, you can try some of those food rations that were common back in the day.
Peggy Skivvy will be hard at work in the Granary Cottage. No mod cons, but plenty of elbow grease enabled her to keep things spick and span!
If you pop to the Street of Shops, odd job man Bernard Skivvy, Peggy’s other half, will be dealing with issues at the Ironmonger’s.
Author Neil Story is always a hit, and this time he’ll be in conversation about Dunkirk.
The Vintage Tea Room will be set up and serving brews and cakes, and while you sip and chew, the ever-delightful Lola Lamour will sing from the songbook of the decade.
Someone else singing for his supper, or rather your applause, will be Johnny Victory - don’t miss his sets over in the bandstand.
It’s a wonderful opportunity to take to the floor and show your fancy footwork.
Don’t have the moves?
Dance classes will run with professional teachers - they’ll soon have you doing the Lambeth Walk and moving to the Chattanooga Choo Choo with aplomb!
Traders will be selling military wear, fashion from the 1940s and original trinkets from the era.
Motoring fans will be able to cast a keen eye on the bodywork lining up for inspection, and the Air Raid Precautions (ARP) unit will host an exhibition of First Aid artefacts. Luckily, things have improved somewhat in the intervening decades!
The Museum will fully submerge in all that the ‘40s represented, but all of the usual attractions will also be open and available to view.
“We love how this annual event brings generations together, and is as appealing to the youngsters as it is to the grandparents,” said Museum director Bill Griffiths, “Loose lips might sink ships, but they are also great for spreading the word about this event — so shout about it far and wide and let’s all be '40s and fabulous together!”
Pay once and you can visit the Museum as often as you like, for free, for a whole year. For more information, visit miltonkeynesmuseum.org.uk
