8:30am Friday 10th July 2009
The streets of Ingleton were full of British, American and German soldiers, sailors and airmen at the weekend.
They were characters taking part in the fourth Operation Homeguard event, which recreated life in the village during the Second World War.
“It gets bigger each time and this year’s event was a big success,” said organiser John Ward.
“There were thousands of visitors. In fact, one resident who is in his 80s said he had not seen the village so full since VE Day.
“There were more military vehicles, more re-enactors and the village was more with it, with shops and businesses decked out for the occasion.”
This year’s event was mainly blessed with good weather – although students from the Helen Howard School of Dance had to perform their “can can” in the midst of a brief thunderstorm.
However, the sunshine for the rest of the weekend allowed a fly-past by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, which was cancelled in 2008 because of high winds and low cloud. And the sight of a Spitfire and Douglas Dakota soaring overhead was worth waiting for, said Mr Ward.
“It could not have been better,” he added.
Other highlights included a parade through the village led by the 51st Highland Division Pipe Band, a sell-out concert featuring the Starlight Swing Orchestra and performances by the Ovaltineys, George Formby impersonator PE Casper Esquire and “forties singer” Gracie Lands.
All proceeds will be ploughed back into next year’s event, which will take place during the first weekend in July.
Ingleton Homeguard will be taking part in “Mannering’s March for Charity” to raise money for Help for Heroes, which helps servicemen and women injured during current conflicts.
Members are planning to walk the entire length of Hadrian’s Wall – about 80 miles – over five days in August and are looking for volunteers to join them.
Anyone interested should log onto ingletonhomeguard.co.uk
* Operation Homeguard Pictures Special - see this week's Craven Herald.
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