Bread and dripping making a comeback
LOVERS of tea and World War Two enthusiasts can step back in time and enjoy an immersive experience of 1940s Britain.
Back In Time For Tea is a war time-themed cafe in Lutterworth, serving up period classics like dripping on toast, bread pudding and pear crumble.
The venue is in the style of a Nissen military hut and features soldier uniforms, pictures of servicemen and fighter planes, along with gas masks and war time leaflets.
Some of its original memorabilia, including books, are loaned to Lutterworth Museum and Lutterworth High School, with plans for an event involving a trip to the museum and then to the cafe for an afternoon of nostalgia.
Anna Evans, co-owner of the cafe, said: “We attract visits from care homes, dementia groups, re-enactors, 80th birthdays and school parties, which have included a les- son on rationing and a talk from Peter Palmer, 96, who was a radio operator on Lancaster bombers.”
The cafe also has a piano for old time sing-alongs, with 40s music playing from a period bakelite wireless.
It is situated within RTI Military Surplus, an army and navy surplus store thought to be the largest of its kind in Europe, with 8,800 square feet of storage serving army, air force cadets and others.
The eatery is also on the site of the Alfred Herbert factory, which was built during the war to manufacture machine tools, and is near the workshop where Sir Frank Whittle developed the jet engine which would revolutionise not only air-warfare but international travel.
‘Back In Time For Tea’ is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 4pm, and on Sunday from 11am to 3.30pm.
Parking is free in front of the unit.
Enquiries for group bookings at the cafe, which can seat up to 30, can be made with Anna on 07875 087405.