Get in the swing of the fabulous 1940s when Sheringham steps back 70 years in time this month.
North Norfolk Railway’s 1940s Weekend brings thousands of visitors from around the country to take part in the celebration of this so important decade in our recent history. Men, women and children arrive in fashions of the era and military uniforms to enjoy a packed, atmospheric weekend at the railway station and around the town.
Chrissie Rayment is business development manager at North Norfolk Railway and loves the 1940s event, which she has been involved in organising for the past decade.
“It is a 1940s revival – not about the war,” she explains. “And that for me means comradeship and everyone pulling together and making do and mend. It was a time when no-one was trying to outdo the next person and everyone was mucking in – and that’s the sort of spirit you see each year at the event.
“The town has got so involved with it,” she adds. “Shops are dressing up and there is a best dressed window competition; there will be a parade of vehicles through the streets and the whole town gets into the 1940s revival. Most of the bed and breakfasts will be full with people coming for both days.”
This year’s highlights look set to include Spitfire flypasts, Jitter bug dancing and music from American Tan and the Sheringham Salvation Army Band, wartime rations and Spam sandwiches from the NAAFI, a collection of 1940s vehicles and vintage and veteran bicycles and the golden age of steam.
Ticket to the past
Tickets are available for the 1940s event on September 20 and 21 from the North Norfolk Railway’s Sheringham general office on 01263 820800 and online at www.nnrailway.co.uk, at a 10pc discount on the day fares up to a week beforehand.
On the day rover ticket prices are: Adults £16.50 one day, £28 two day; seniors £15.50 and £26; children £10.50 and £16, and family £49.50 and £84.
The fabulous 1940s
The look – despite the rationing of the war years, women wanted their clothes to be pretty as well as practical, so think wide-shouldered jacket over neat blouse or a dress/coat combination; hats and gloves complete the style. Utility clothing could still look good; remember the dunagrees and siren suits with a bright headscarf. Glamour came in the latter part of the decade with the New Look of nipped in waists and fuller, longer skirts. For men, it’s either the military uniform or a smart suit – don’t forget a rakish fedora to complete the image!
The music – this is the era of wonderful swing and the big band sound; think Glenn Miller, Bing Crosby, Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra and The Andrews Sisters.
The films – classics like Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca, James Stewart in It’s a Wonderful Life, Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane and Disney’s Dumbo and Bambi.
The literature – For Whom The Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway, Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell.
