Published: Wednesday, 17th July 2019
The Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk is once again stepping back in time for the fun, free, family event: Forties Lynn – Life on the Home Front.
On Sunday 21 July from 10am to 4pm you can discover what it was like to live in King’s Lynn during the war.
Organised by the Norfolk Museums Service, in the Town Hall you can take part in a tea dance, hear from an ARP Warden and meet a British Red Cross nurse, who will share tales she heard from the soldiers at Dunkirk as she washed, bandaged and comforted them. You can enjoy a tea or coffee served by the RAF Cadets, whilst soaking up the sights and sounds of the 40s.
A German Airman is in the cell at Stories of Lynn; hear his story of being shot down over West Norfolk and how he met the ARP Warden. Meanwhile a Royal Naval Patrol Service Sailor talks about how the sweeps mines in the North Sea and English Channel, keeping the convoys safe. Spitfire Badges once bought to raise funds for the RAF can be made and don’t forget to take time to inspect the bomb map displaying what was targeted round Lynn.
Over at Lynn Museum you can meet a Land Army Girl, discover about rationing and try some of the mashed potato truffles that were invented using ingredients more easily available at the time. You can visit the sweet shop with your ration coupon and learn about make do and mend craft.
The Tuesday Market Place will host Eddie Seales’ Big Band playing swinging tunes to get your toes tapping. Sarah Mai will be playing 1940s songs with interludes from Winston Churchill with some rousing speeches. The Norfolk Military Vehicle Group will also have classic vehicles from the era on display.
The Dad’s Army Volunteers and Civil Defenders will be around the town and the Bridge for Heroes will be giving tours of the air raid shelter under Tuesday Market Place. There will be forties fashion, vintage bric-a-brac, Military and Homefront memorabilia available in the Stone Hall.
Cllr Graham Middleton, borough council cabinet member for business development, including events, said: “Lynn’s wartime history is fascinating, and this event brings that history to life in a really fun and informative way. I’m looking forward to volunteering with the Bridge for Heroes and giving tours of the air raid shelter. It also focuses on the music and style of the decade; it’s good to remember that during tough times for our town and our nation, our spirit was undaunted”.