Stoke Bruerne goes to war again

Published: Thursday, 23 September 2010

STOKE Bruerne is going to war again, when the Friends of the Canal Museum present this year's Village at War, which is promised to be bigger and better.

It  takes place on the weekend of the 1st to 3rd October with a vintage fair, replica Spitfire and special Land Army display with vintage tractors and a Dig for Victory garden along with farm implements and static animals. (The  photographs are by Larry and Wendy Burke.)

NAAFI tent

Also for the first time a NAAFI tent serving appropriate wartime fare will be joining the growing band of 40s re-enactors, vintage narrow boats and a dramatic flying display by the Sea Hurricane from the Shuttleworth Collection (Sunday only, subject to weather).

The WWII weekend starts at 6pm on Friday evening (1st October) with a 40s sing-along in the NAAFI tent on the Museum Green and continues through the weekend with tea dances, film shows, displays by the Pitsford Home Guard, Allied Assortment.

UK Tank Club

There's the UK Tank Club, March Vintage Cycle Club. Le Companie de Francois, Trucks, Troops and Stores, Northampton Model Boat Club, Royal British Legion, Cafe René, John D. Collins aka Flt Lt Carstairs of 'Allo 'Allo fame, Lyons Nippy teashop and display of 1940s memorabilia, Sittingbourne Home Front Living History Society.

Past Times, 1940's Grocery Shop. Military Vehicles, 'Keep Smiling Through' RAF Display, Evacuate a Teddy and Hatfield Home Guard. On the Saturday evening there will be the return of a popular Swing Dance with Sticky Wicket and the scintillating Serena Howard-Douglas at nearby Roade Village Hall (Tickets £15 including supper from the Canal Museum).

'Churchill' touring village

Also this year there will be a £50 prize awarded to the 'best dressed house' in Stoke Bruerne to be judged by 'Churchill' who will be touring the village in his jeep during the weekend.

Monies raised over the weekend go to The Friends of The Canal Museum, in their work supporting the Museum at Stoke Bruerne and the event also benefits other local charities and organisations such as Greyhound Rescue, the Village School, Northamptonshire RSPCA, Stoke Bruerne Church and local Scouts.

Admission is £5 per person (including parking). For more information and advance/dance tickets telephone 01327 340492.