CASTLE BROMWICH HALL GARDENS V.E. DAY CELEBRATION 1940S WEEKEND

Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens had all the ingredients for a great #V.E. Day celebration! Wartime music, entertainment and displays, a V.E. Day party, and there were some original ideas for themed costumes from the re-enactors.

 At the entrance visitors were greeted by comedy duo Laurel and Hardy, who were happy to pose for lots of photos.  In the grounds of #Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens a prisoner of war was busy working. A glamourous beauty parlour set the scene for creating a 1940s hairstyle  and there were lots of vintage shopping stalls for the enthusiasts.

 Singer Kevin Mack re-created the sounds of the 1940s and some magical memories and also kept us informed about the imminent fly past from a World War II Dakota.

 The Dakota had flown with 233 squadron and got her operational stripes shortly before D Day. A fitting tribute for V. E. Day, as close to Castle Bromwich Hall was the Aerodrome and factory where the Spitfire was manufactured. This was a very successful and entertaining day at Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens!

HADEN HILL V E DAY!

The war was over! Everyone was happy, and in 1945 #V E Day celebrations were held all over the country,  including Haden Hill House in the West Midlands.

 70 years later this lovely Victorian house and parkland celebrated again with patriotic red, white and blue bunting, entertainment, and WWII re-enactments.

Wartime rations were available for visitors including corned beef hash and jelly and "cream". The Home Front was still being encouraged to"Dig for Victory", (rationing was to continue for some years after the war) and plants and flowers were on sale.

Vintage and military vehicles were on display and a tea wagon provided a welcome wartime cuppa! Waving flags and wearing patriotic colours the re-enactors, and the visitors, re-visited the mood of Victory in Europe day and the 1940s. #Haden Hill re-captured the spirit of the occasion. It was a great day!