Gardens go back in time for annual 1940s day
BOTANIC Gardens in Churchtown was transported back to the 1940s on Saturday with entertainers, vintage and military vehicles and living history on display.
The event was organised by the Botanic Gardens Community Association and the gardens were filled with re-enactors, people in costume and real soldiers, which really brought the era back to life.
Entertainers such the George Formby Experience, Lilli De Carlo, The Nightingales Choir from the Queenscourt Hospice, Darren Green and DJ Bazooka Joe all provided an authentic soundtrack to the event.
But the torrential rain meant dance act GI Jive were unable to perform as it was too wet and thedance floor was too slippy.
It didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits. Organiser Sandra Cain said: “It was fabulous. Wet but fabulous. People still came out and the Banquet Hall was absolutely packed with people enjoying our wartime menu.
“It was Paul Casper’s – AKA the George Formby Experience’s – first time performing for us and he loved it so much he said he’d come back next year.
“Ann and Cheryl Hindley looked
great. People were just laughing and smiling and joking about the rain and there were still people step-dancing on the tarmac. It was great.”
The living history was an important aspect to the day. A military camp was set up with old vehicles and mobile museums.
Women in 1940s style dress pushed around vintage prams and an oldfashioned bobby going around, issuing warnings and arresting people.
Sandra said: “We wanted to convey a true 1940s community spirit and I think we did that well and everyone played their parts brilliantly.
“It’s important for the youth of today to be educated about our history and it also brought them and everyone out in the community. It was an absolute pleasure to serve the people of Southport.”
Sandra has already started planning for next year’s event as well the annual Botanic Gardens Victorian Day on September 1, the biggest event of the year.
Sandra said: “The torrential rain really showed us what we need to prepare for our unpredictable weather so we’re already making preparations for next year and for our next event.”
To find out more about Southport Botanical Garden’s Victorian Day, see Facebook @botanicgardens.botanic gardens.