Heywood rolls back the clock for 1940s day

Date published: 24 June 2019

Heywood rolled back the clock for vintage wartime nostalgia with the return of the annual 1940s day on Saturday (22 June).

The event is now in its eighth year, and is one of the largest events in Heywood’s calendar.

 

 

 

 

The streets were lined for the town’s official Armed Forces Day Parade, leaving The Heywood Pub at 1300 hours prompt. Leading with the official standards, veterans and cadets alike marched along with the band around the town and returning to The Heywood Pub.

 

 

 

 

A special balloon display featured in the parade from Blue Rose Gifts, who also had a war bootcamp in their car park.

At St Luke’s, the NAAFI Café was open and the concert kicked off with Marina Mae, followed by talent from the town.

 

 

 

 

Evacuees were waved off from the East Lancashire Railway Heywood Station by parents, before returning for afternoon tea at the Jo Cox Vintage Street Party. A second tea party took place on Mission Street with sandwiches, cake and jelly for everyone in vintage apparel.

 

 

 

 

A short Service of Remembrance took place in the Memorial Gardens at 11am, whilst Mike Goldrick Blinds & Curtains hosted the Backstep Boogie Club with the Home Guard guarding an unexploded bomb outside.

 

 

 

 

 

Air raid re-enactments and blackouts took place in Tilly's Tea Room as Winston Churchill’s speech came over the wireless. Flags were joyously waved as the end of the war was marked with ‘It’s a Long Way to Tipperary’.

 

 

 

 

An encampment of World War Two military displays featuring classic vehicles, vintage aeroplanes, jeeps, tanks and armoured vehicles and steam engines was held at Hill Street, whilst Market Street shops dressed to impress, a vintage bus drove around the town and a military vehicle convoy passed by at 4.30pm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rides were enjoyed on the vintage fair at Longford Street car park, including a miniature steam railway and carousel, along with the delights of a Barrell Organ, playing all day.

Back by popular demand at JazBa was singing sensation Patelvis (Indian Elvis), plus Lille de Carlo singing at the Tea Dance in Trinity Methodist Church.