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Pateley Bridge 1940s Weekend 29th & 30th July 2017

It started raining well before we set off on the Friday evening giving a sense of foreboding of what was to come over the weekend. In the end it was a very enjoyable weekend.

Arriving at about 7.30 at the show ground to which we had been relocated, we were lucky to find that the rain had stopped. This gave us time to get the 14 man tent up in the dry. Between the many helpers it took about 10 minutes. Something of a record I think and we managed it just before the heavens opened again. With low lying clouds over the hills and mist in the low lying areas it was a damp evening. It was thought necessary to retreat to a nearby hostelry, just for the benefit of comfort purposes of course. It rained heavily throughout Friday night and early Saturday morning but had just about stopped when we arose. The day gradually brightened up as it wore on. 

The theme of our display was a previously tried ‘Company HQ’ set up. With a NAAFI wireless playing period music and news reports etc. and even an episode of ITMA in the shelter half, along with Morse Code coming from Bill’s radio set placed elsewhere in the display, a period atmosphere and effect was created. This was further enhanced with the use of some period cricket equipment for a knockabout from time to time  and a ‘Harry Seacombe-esque’ performance of speed shaving by Adam as shave-or with a cut throat razor and me as the victim/shave-ee. Lunch was communal with an ‘all in stew’ which was much photographed by the public as is always the case. Saturday night was a pleasant repeat of Friday night but with a different justification for a visit to two local hostelries. Friday had been about keeping dry and drinking beer. Saturday was just about drinking beer!




Sunday dawned nicer that Saturday. It was pretty much a repeat of Saturday though breakfast was communal this time with SPAM Sandwiches being rustled up by Adam (very nice indeed). After a torrential downpour just before lunch time, the sun came out and it was glorious all afternoon.

Both days we had much attention from the public and the displays of compo rations, what a soldier wears, carries and why, along with the display of small arms went well. Both days we had lengthy visit from representatives of the local constabulary’s armed response squad but fortunately they were social visits. Nothing about deactivation certificate checking and all about interest on what we had on display. On both days the STEN was of great interest to them.    
     

This was the second year we have done this event and it was much better for being on the actual showground itself rather than a random field as was last year, not least because there were proper toilet facilities, but also because the ground  is well drained and it did not turn to a quagmire with the quite substantial rain we saw over the weekend. I can see this event growing in popularity if the organisers keep with it.


All in all another very enjoyable weekend with a decent turnout of familiar and welcome faces.

Report by: Private Dale Heaton. 

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