1940s Day

At the beginning of the Second World War the Government Introduced the motivational poster “Keep Calm And Carry On”. The idea was to raise public morale in the face of air attacks on our cities and towns. The slogan became popular and is still a favourite today appearing on mugs, tea towels and other products. Other phrases intended to promote community spirit included “Digging for Victory” and “Make do and Mend”.

Gas masks were issued, food and clothes were rationed, everything from saucepans to tooth brushes were in short supply. Children were evacuated from cities to the countryside.

Eighty years on since the end of the war, all this seems a long way from today’s society. We have the luxury of showers whereas in the Forties, families were restricted to five inches of hot water for a bath. But those days and the sacrifices made must never be forgotten. So, to remember life during the Second World War and celebrate victory, Wymondham Heritage Museum is staging a 1940s Day on Saturday July 5th, 10am to 5pm with free admission.

The museum’s volunteers have laid on a packed programme with something for both adults and children. All of it in addition to the museum’s existing permanent war displays. The recreated Anderson Shelter which illustrates how families survived during air raids such as The Blitz. The Echoes of Valour display, the role the Women’s Land Army played while the men were away serving and a display cabinet with a host of artefacts reflecting Wymondham in the Second World War. And the Masters of the Air exhibition telling the story of GIs in Wymondham.

There is so much to see and do, you will need to, well, keep calm and carry on.

thewhm.org.uk

Put Saturday July 5th in your diary and come and enjoy the wide range of events and activities, 10am-5pm – and remember, admission is free!

• Live music of the period with The Swingtones

• Military vehicles, re-enactors in period costume

• Stalls offering local produce such as honey, jams, marmalade and traditional sweets. Handmade by Granny: bows and accessories. American stall with peanut butter, cookies etc.

• Ration cards for children to exchange for sweets at the museum’s Damgate Stores

• Readings by Tina Chamberlain including a poem specially written for the museum plus extracts from prisoner of war Frank Chamberlain’s diary

• Town Tours with Georgette Vale as Ethel Gooch, a pioneer for women in public life in Norfolk: Wymondham’s first woman councillor and the first to chair the town’s urban district council

• Children’s games in the Courtyard Garden; hopscotch, marbles, Jacks. Board games including the 40s Beat the Blitz and Snakes and Ladders. Craft station.

• Code breaking for children and adults

• In The Bridewell Tearoom: vintage specials such as traditional cakes and sponges, Norfolk shortbread, sausage rolls. Do you remember spam? Try this wartime staple in the Tearoom

• Raffle, browse a selection of books on the war years

Special exhibition in the nearby Catholic Church and Hall. Vehicles, additional displays of local Wymondham people in the war plus stories of the Far East Prisoners of War. In the event of bad weather, the museum’s outdoor activities will move to the Church Hall.