‘Sir Winston’ will speak at wartime day
THE countdown has started to what will be a unique free event in Bridgend town centre that will transport the town back to the 1940s and give a real feeling for what life was like in the dark days of wartime.
On Saturday, June 10, between 10am and 5pm, town centre streets will come alive to all the main features of wartime life and demonstrations of how South Wales folk survived during difficult circumstances.
Central features of the day will be a full size replica of the famous Spitfire aircraft in Dunraven Place and Sir Winston Churchill and Field Marshal Montgomery tribute artists will be giving speeches.
Vintage vehicles of the time will be on display, together with a multitude of realistic demonstrations from experts showing how life had to be lived in that era.
Event chairman Coun David Unwin has paid tribute to how many local organisations had rallied round in true “Dunkirk Spirit” to give the day its full authenticity.
Pupils from Bryntirion Comprehensive School will demonstrate how children in the 1940s coped, Bridgend Lions will recreate the games children played and Bridgend allotmenteers will show how the Dig for Victory Campaign was put into practice.
Central to the event will be the opening of the Island Farm POW Camp, Hut 9, and conducted wartime walks by local historian John Dunkley-Williams. There will also be a photographic exhibition and a fully constructed Anderson Shelter in Carnegie House.