Commemorating VE Day with 1940s Dance and WW2 weekend...

[Shippo]

Friday, 8th May 2015 will mark the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day , the unconditional surrender of the armed forces of Nazi Germany and the destruction of Hitler’s Third Reich, followed on 15th August by Victory in Japan Day. It is probably the last time that the generation who fought that conflict – in foreign combat and on the Home Front – will be able to assemble in numbers, a final chance for succeeding generations to offer thanks for their labour and sacrifice and the part they played in the triumph over a uniquely evil creed. The Nazi regime and Imperial Japan were brutal in the aspects of warfare which were seen in how they treated prisoners and civilians alike resulting in trying to exterminate the Jewish people as a race throughout Germany and occupied countries such as Poland in death camps, and the Japanese military leadership working allied soldiers to death in the building of the infamous Burmese Railway, and without mercy, shooting down both allied soldiers and civilian populations indiscriminately despite people surrendering.

The British government announced early this year about the three days of commemorations to mark the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (VE Day 70) this summer. The plans include events across the United Kingdom to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe. At the conclusion of the war in Europe 40 million people died, half of which were civilians.

Friends of Metheringham Airfield are honouring and paying tribute to Victory in Europe Day with a May Bank holiday special starting Sunday, 3rd May, and finishing Monday, 4th May, with the gates opening at 10.00am and closing each day at 5.30pm.

To get in the mood for the Sunday evening "1940s Dance" you are invited to blend in and enjoy the music from the Shiny Stockings Swing Band playing all your Glenn Miller favourites in a whole night of 1940s tunes with songs by vintage sweetheart Christine Scott and band leader, Steve Walker - listen to the band on http://www.bigswingband.co.uk/. Come dressed in 1940s style and enjoy the atmosphere both inside and outside of the Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre. Perhaps the roar of merlin engines may be heard in the night air of Lancaster bombers awaiting to fly to destination Germany. Tickets are £15.00 to include a Hog Roast supper with the celebration beginning at 7.00pm and are available on their website - see http://www.metheringhamairfield.co.uk

The entrance fee each day for the Wartime Weekend is £5.00 per person with under 16s free. Tickets are available on the gate. Plus ample parking.

Come and experience battle re-enactments between Allied and German soldiers.

Talk to the re-enactors on site and appreciate the 1940's exhibits on display.

Relish and savour the wartime memorabilia on show.

Soak in on what remains of RAF Metheringham on a vintage bus tour of the airfield that will be operating every hour.

Sit in the cockpit displays.

Have a word with the owners of WW2 Vehicles and classic cars.

Relive the jet engine run on Monday afternoon that was recorded as part of a Promenade Concert at the Royal Albert Hall which was broadcasted on BBC TV in 2014 - but hear the engine noise live from the Jet Provost!

On both days hear Spitfire engines that were part of the famous aircraft.

Bring your cameras and videos to record the flypast of the Lancaster bomber from RAF Coningsby flying above at 500 feet, and other aircraft from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, weather permitting and aircraft available.

Capture the atmospheric conditions of sitting in an underground air raid shelter hearing sirens overhead with bombs dropping from the German Luftwaffe.

Read and cherish the history of 106 Squadron in the museum.

There may be something to buy at the craft stalls.

Listen to the live entertainment that will be there. And enjoy a drink at the licensed bar.

The WW2 Bank Holiday Special and the VE Day 70th Celebration will be something to be remembered by for 2015. Make sure that you are there!



John Shipton
Friends of Metheringham Airfield
Wartime home to 106 Squadron
Lincoln