Historic aerodrome turns back clock to 1940s for wartime nostalgia weekend in essex

[RWHB1]

HISTORIC AERODROME TURNS BACK CLOCK TO 1940S FOR WARTIME NOSTALGIA
WEEKEND IN ESSEX

Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome, usually focused on the Great War,
took a temporary shift to celebrate its role as a working farm during
the Second World War.

The event, titled "Back to the WW2 Farm", was part of the aerodrome's
support for its latest exhibition, "Feeding the Nation: Fighting
Without Flying," and marked the 80th anniversary of the end of World
War Two.

It also honoured the site's transition from an aerodrome to Flambirds
Farm during the war years.

Visitors were transported back in time with living historians
depicting the Women's Land Army, the Women's Volunteer Service, and
the Essex County War Agricultural Executive Committee.

Andrew, Laura and Henrietta Dunne enjoying family activities in the
WW2 vegetable plot _(Image: Martin Johnson)_

The Essex Historic Military Vehicle Association also brought wartime
weapons and equipment for the public to handle.

Historian and author Stephen Nunn engaged a packed audience with tales
of air crashes and battles that took place over the Essex area during
WWII.

Young attendees tried their hand at wartime cookery, making biscuits
and strawberry compote, and identifying vegetables in the museum's
specially planted war-time vegetable patch.

Traction engine at Stow Maries

The weekend's highlight was a flypast by the Battle of Britain
Memorial Flight's Supermarine Spitfire, which made a special visit on
Saturday.

Ian Flint, chief executive officer of Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome,
said: "Our role at Stow changed dramatically between WW1 and WW2, and
this weekend’s events celebrated the vital role that we played as a
farm, feeding the nation during a time of national crisis."

However, plans for a Lancaster visit were thwarted due to high winds
at RAF Coningsby, resulting in the cancellation of all scheduled
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight displays on Sunday.

For those who missed out, another "Back to the WW2 Farm" event is
scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, August 30 and 31.

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire is expected to make
another flypast on the Saturday.

Additionally, family activity days centred on "Feeding the Nation:
Fighting Without Flying" will be held on July 26, August 30, September
20, and October 18.