Article posted on behalf of The East Lancs Railway.
The award-winning 1940s Wartime Weekend returns to the East Lancashire Railway this May Bank Holiday (Saturday 28 – Monday 30 May 2011).
East Lancashire Railway (ELR) is looking forward to welcoming back one of the railway’s most popular annual events during the May bank holiday.
Having won the much coveted Best Tourism Event of the Year award 2010/2011 at the Lancashire & Blackpool Tourism Awards last year, the event is back at the railway for the 13th time.
Held over three days, thousands of visitors will flock to the East Lancashire Railway to come up close with what life was like during the 1940s and watch wartime action unfold. The event programme covers the full 12 mile line from Bury to Heywood and Rawtenstall and includes live battle re-enactments, an authentic military camp, 1940s fashion stalls, afternoon tea dances, ENSA entertainers including the The Forces Sweethearts and Miss Katie Spitfire and the big military parade on Sunday in Irwell Vale.
Event organiser Neil Parkington said:
We are very excited to be able to offer our visitors once again a programme packed with live entertainment and attractions. By keeping it something to look forward to, we are pleased to introduce a few additions to the event including a military train that will move into Heywood station followed by a live battle scenario, make do and mend session at The Fusilier Museum as well as a Wartime Diner train on Friday 27th May serving an authentic rations’ dinner.
ELR saw its most successful 1940s event last year and is hoping to beat the 2010 record of over 8,000 visitors.
So - why not be part of this annual event in 2011? It's a fantastice day out for all of the family!
