Published: Tuesday, 23rd July 2019
Once again hundreds of people enjoyed the fun, free, family event: Forties Lynn on Sunday 21 July.
Organised by the Norfolk Museums Service, on behalf of the Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk, there were activities in the Tuesday Market Place, Town Hall, Stories of Lynn and Lynn Museum.
Over 300 people walked through the doors of Stories of Lynn to create spitfire badges, look at the King’s Lynn bomb map and hear the story of a German Airman in the cells.
At Lynn Museum you could 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. Children also visited the sweet shop with their ration coupons and learned about make do and mend craft.
The town hall hosted a 1940s tea dance and had an ARP Warden and British Red Cross nurse telling their stories. Along with forties fashion, vintage bric-a-brac, military and homefront memorabilia.
The Tuesday Market Place had great swinging tunes to get your toes tapping from Eddie Seales’ Big Band. As well as Sarah Mai playing 1940s songs with interludes from Winston Churchill with some rousing speeches. The Norfolk Military Vehicle Group also had classic vehicles from the era on display.
Bridge for Heroes volunteers were also giving tours of the air raid shelter underneath the Tuesday Market Place.
Cllr Graham Middleton, borough council cabinet member for business development, including events, said: “With over 300 people walking through Stories of Lynn on Sunday, along with many more visiting Lynn Museum, the town hall and Tuesday Market Place, this has been the most popular Forties Lynn yet.
“Lynn’s wartime history is fascinating, and this event brought that history to life in a really fun and informative way. I’m grateful to Norfolk Museum Services for organising it and all the people who volunteered their time and dressed up on the day.”
For more details, please visit www.west-norfolk.gov.uk/fortieslynn