Bridlington Old Town to host its 1940s event

Bridlington Old Town’s Georgian High Street doubled up as Walmington On Sea in the film and this will form part of the celebrations for the 1940s event, as part of their summer festival, which will take place on SUNDAY JUNE 12.

As part of the event, there will be a special Dakota flyover in mid -afternoon courtesy of the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and fantastic entertainment all day in Market Place from fabulous performers including Lola Lamour, Madeleine Brown and Ruby Macintosh, all hosted by ‘The George Formby Experience’.

The festival area will stretch from the 900-year-old Priory Church (visited in August 2013 by HRH Prince of Wales & HRH Duchess of Cornwall) and Priory Green, up the ancient High Street to the top of the Market Place and beyond down Westgate and into Westgate Park.

There will also be miltary vehicle collections,(including Half Tracks,Dodge Trucks & Ambulances and plenty of wartime jeeps) ,over 80 stalls &1940s trade stands and various demonstrations, including a Replica German Parachute Bomb,A 617 Dambusters Squadron & Land Army displays in the Priory Church and there will be Street Dancing to the Sounds of the 40s from Murray Rose & his American Jeep.There will even be a 1940s Theme Dog Show and Greyhound Parade.

The June 12 event will be free, beginning at 10am with a parade led by David Hinde the Bellman of Bridlington OLD TOWN who was credited with the role of Walmington -On Sea Town Crier and including the homeguard from Pontefract and Haworth and many of the extras who were in the Dad’s Army film.

Churchill & General Patten re-enactors will be performing their speeches in the afternoon,close to the Bayle.

The Royal British Legion veterans and the Bridlington Royal Naval Association will also be in attendance.For more details see www.bridlingtonoldtown1940sfestival.com

The 40s Festival Day will be preceded by a rare appearance by John Miller (Glen Miller’s nephew) and his Big Band Orchestra, who will play in the Priory Church on Saturday June 11,the night before from 7.30pm. Tickets for this event are £15 and are bookable online through The Bridlington Spa booking office.