Baston in the Blitz 2018

The enduring esteem in which this country holds Winston Churchill, as reprised on the silver screen recently in Darkest Hour, will be rekindled in Baston this August when Peter Austwick, Churchill impersonator, will open Baston in the Blitz on both days with one of Winston’s famous wartime speeches. This year the event has expanded and will host more than 60 vintage traders, 70 WW2 living history displays and over 500 WW2 re-enactors. Making a guest appearance this year will be a King George VI lookalike.

Star features will be the live firepower demonstrations, with everything from a pistol to a 75mm tank cannon being put through their paces, and the realistic live battle re-enactments staged by scores of British and German re-enactors to be held on both days. This year’s battles will include two German assault guns, an American M24 Chaffee tank plus a pair of M2 armoured half-tracks and a 75mm howitzer, promising plenty of explosive action!

The Great Escape POW Experience shows what life was like behind barbed wire for prisoners of war during WW2. Visitors will also be able to experience the mighty roar of a RollsRoyce Merlin engine, as fitted to the famous WW2 Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster aircraft, being run up to full throttle. Making a popular return will be Terry Arlow’s Spitfire Mk.IX in which visitors will be able to have their souvenir photograph taken seated in the cockpit.

The ever-popular non-stop live 1940s’ entertainment includes Paul Casper as George Formby, the crooning Kevin Mack, and the delightful voice of Paula Marie. Following a three-year absence, the Tweedie Sisters trio are back! As always, the entertainment will run continuously throughout both days in the main marquee. The magnificent Battle Pipes bagpipe and drum band will be entertaining the crowds with their stirring Highland music on both days.

Returning is the scale model exhibition in the Village Hall from the Peterborough Scale Model Club and the Grantham Special Interests Group 144. Also in the same location will be a fascinating display devoted to the RAF’s renowned 617 Squadron, the ‘Dambusters’. Periodically throughout both days the exhibitors will be giving short talks on the famous Dams Raids of 1943. A new feature this year in the village hall will be an exhibition of WW2 wedding dresses, including one made from salvaged parachute silk!

In addition a traditional Punch and Judy show will be staged in the play area. A wide range of vintage military and civilian vehicles will be on display, including lorries, tractors and working engines, plus an enormous array of WW2 weapons and equipment. A hairstylist is ready to give the ladies a quick 1940s-style makeover with appointments that can be pre-booked at www.bastonblitz.org.

There will also be a major exhibition of Cold War-era military vehicles, weapons and equipment, plus a special display and demonstration of British Army radio communications equipment giving visitors the opportunity to try it themselves. Visitors can also try their hand at Morse Code, as featured in the recent BBC2 TV series about the wartime SOE.

The event is fully catered with an excellent variety of hot food available, two licensed bars selling real ales and cocktails, plus a specialist coffee bar. There is ample undercover seating for several hundred people in the main marquee. We are definitely a dog-friendly event, with water points for your pets located around the event site.

Baston in the Blitz takes place on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th August from 10am to 5pm both days. Entry prices are £7 per adult (£5 seniors’ concession) with children under 16 accompanied by an adult admitted free. A weekend ticket for adults allowing entry on both days is £10 (£7 seniors’ concession). There is increased free parking this year, with access via temporary traffic lights off the A15 between King Street and the Baston crossroads and free disabled parking for BlueBadge holders close to the event entrance. For information call 01778 561148 or enquiries@bastonblitz.org. Visit www.bastonblitz.org.