Even Churchill pays a visit to help town get into the wartime spirit
IT took plenty of ‘Blitz spirit’ to pull it together in the face of a common enemy – the British weather – but Wartime Bridgend has been declared a huge success.
The re-enactment day saw the town centre transported back to the 1940s, with shop and pub staff dressing up in clothes from the era and even taping up their windows as they would have done during wartime to prevent flying glass from bomb blasts.
On the streets was a lifesize replica of a Spitfire, while a Winston Churchill tribute act gave his rousing speeches to an enthralled crowd, accompanied by a Field Marshal Montgomery tribute.
Visitors were also shown how to dig for victory, get to grips with rationing and make do and mend.
Event chairman and co-ordinator, Councillor David Unwin, said Saturday’s celebration – organised by Bridgend Town Council, with assistance from the traders’ BID CF31 group and sponsorship from the Heritage Lottery, Watts and Morgan and Best Western Heronston Hotel – put Bridgend town “firmly on the Welsh events map”.
He also paid tribute to all seven members of the town council staff who “worked tirelessly and went above the call of duty to make the event such a success”.
“Without civic dedication, these major events would be impossible, coupled with the fact that so many of the local traders, shops and businesses had entered into the spirit of things, like never before, to create such a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere for visitors,” he said.
“Major players in this effort were the Wyndham Arms Hotel, which was so pivotal and central to the success and the many businesses, especially charity shops, who had decked out their windows with wartime displays and had clearly made a very special effort. It was a credit to Bridgend town.
“With a second successful major event in the space of nine months, where do we go from here?
“The town council would welcome any feedback and suggestions for the future, as we organise these events for the whole community – and beyond.”
Several military organisations were fully involved, led by the Royal British Legion, and two special services were held at the Bridgend War Memorial conducted by the Reverend Rachel Wheeler.
Musical entertainment was provided throughout the event with performances by Ricky Hunter, Amanda Beaumont and Bill Bennett, plus the Ogmore Valley Silver Band.
Members of the Military