Could Yeovil relive the spirit of wartime Britain?

WOULD people in Yeovil relish the chance to see the likes of Winston Churchill, American GIs and British troops of yesteryear and people wearing 1940s fashions wandering the town centre streets?

Members of the Yeovil Press team have just returned back to Somerset having spent the past few days in Yorkshire where the small town of Pickering has played host to its annual Pickering Wartime Weekend.

It is an unusual event in which the entire community comes together to relive the sights and sounds of the 1940s and the Second World War.

The event started around 20 years ago with Pickering’s railway station – part of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway – holding a 1940s day with train rides up the line to Whitby including the stations of Levisham, Goathland, Grosmont and Whitby.

PHOTO - TOP: Yeovil Press' Steve Sowden meets up with a Winston Churchill lookalike at the Pickering War Weekend.

PHOTO - RIGHT: Ladies get into the spirit of the Pickering War Weekend.

But the event has grown more and more over the years and now attracts thousands of visitors – many of whom dress up in period costume and the shops, pubs and cafes do a thriving business as the market town of Pickering relives the spirit of wartime Britain.

Yeovil Press’ Steve Sowden said: “If you’ve never been – I would recommend it.

“It’s slightly bizarre, but equally slightly brilliant as well. There’s a great atmosphere and there are so many people dressed up in 1940s costumes, that those in modern clothes feel a little bit out of place!

“The streets were filled with people dressed in war uniforms, 1940s fashions, and children dressed as evacuees.

“It is a sight to be seen – especially when you might bump into Winston Churchill!”

Steve added: “But it did make me think as to whether Yeovil could hold anything similar?

The Yeovil Press wondered whether Yeovil could ever hold such an event?

The area has got a military background with RNAS Yeovilton just down the road, the Houndstone estate was once a busy Army camp, while the town’s main employer, Westland, has a history of producing military aircraft.

Back in June the town supported Armed Forces Day with plenty going on in the main shopping areas of Yeovil to back the Solders, Sailors and Airmen’s Families Association, better known as SSAFA, charity.

Could that be developed into something more to pull in visitors to the town?

Take a look at our photo gallery from the 2013 Pickering War Weekend – click on the link below:

http://www.yeovilpress.co.uk/blog/2013/10/14/pickering-war-weekend-october-2013/ .

PHOTO - ABOVE: American GIs at the Pickering War Weekend.

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Leisure.