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VE Day Celebration Event at Royal Gunpowder Mills - 3rd, 4th & 5th May 2014
| Author: Lance Bourne | Published: 28th April 2014 11:53 |
Be transported back to the 1940s on bank holiday weekend
Visitors to the Royal Gunpowder Mills, Beaulieu Drive, Waltham Abbey, Essex, EN9 1JY will be transported back to the 1940s to join the VE Day Celebrations as part of a spectacular May Bank Holiday weekend event on Saturday 3rd, Sunday 4th and Monday 5th May 2014 from 10am-5pm.
The historic site, which played a key role in the Second World War, will be transformed with a series of both military and civilian experiences including street parties, air-raid shelters, jive dancing, songs of the period and battle demonstrations.
Visitors can explore the many living history camps and to talk to the re-enactment soldiers and discover what life was like during wartime as part of this weekend of celebration and remembrance.
There will be the opportunity to visit a 1940s general store, toy shop and kitchen, as well as experiencing an air raid warning and taking cover in an air raid shelter. Plus traditional food available to try from the Home Front period.
There will also be exciting battle re-enactments between the allies and the axis soldiers on Sunday and Monday.
Among the highlights of the action-packed event will be the presence of vintage aircraft flyovers - Hurricane on Sunday 4th and Spitfire on Monday 5th May which will be carrying out aerobatic displays in the afternoon (please note the flyovers are weather permitting). New for 2014 there will be the chance for children to have a go in mini tanks in the main arena and a street party!
In addition to the VE Day themed events Professor Nitrate will be exploding things in the Mad Lab science shows, which are amazing to watch and an exciting and memorable experience for both adults and children alike.
Royal Gunpowder Mills' Lance Bourne told AboutMyArea/EN9: "The VE Day weekend is one of our largest events with a number of different re-enactment groups coming together over one weekend to celebrate one of the greatest moments in our history. The event also provides a fitting tribute to the courage and determination of the British people during wartime. To have the flyovers as part of the celebrations is a real coup and the aerial aerobatic displays, combined with all the other events and activities, will make it an unforgettable weekend of celebration and remembrance".
Events Schedule 2014 - Dates for the Diary
VE Celebration: Bank Holiday 3 - 5 May
Heritage Steam Weekend: 17 - 18 May
Spy Kids Half Term: 24 May - 1 June
Wild West Weekend: Bank Holiday 24 - 26 May
Railway Weekend: 5 - 6 July
Arts & Science Festival: Summer Holidays 19 July - 31 August
Big Bang Weekend: Bank Holiday 23 - 25 August
Fayre Times Festival: 20 - 21 September
Spooky Secret Island: 25 October - 2 November
Halloween Haunted Mills: 31 October (6.00 - 8.30pm)
Guy Fawkes Festival & Fireworks: 8 - 9 November
Set in 170 acres of natural parkland, the Royal Gunpowder Mills mixes fascinating secret history, exciting science and beautiful surroundings to produce a different day out for all the family. Take a trip in the land-train or military truck to discover more about this secret island (additional cost, remember to book on arrival to avoid disappointment as popular activity). Visitors can trace the history of explosives in a stunning audio-visual show, uncover the truth behind the infamous Gunpowder Plot, come face to face with some real space rockets and get to grips with more than 200 firearms ranging from rocket launchers to machine guns in the fascinating Armoury.
Discover 300 years of explosive history every Weekend and Bank Holiday from Saturday 4 May to Sunday 29 September from 10am - 5pm (last entry 3.30pm) suggested length of visit is three to four hours.
If you have not been for a while, well worth another visit as they have lots of new features in the last couple of years including the Mad Lab children's show, larger rocket exhibition, newly refurbished cafe and outdoor wooden play area.
If you have never been before and experience the Royal Gunpowder Mills for the first time this May bank holiday, please get in touch, we would love to hear what you think and please send us some photos too. Registered users can comment below or alternatively email us at: jeffen9@aboutmyarea.co.uk
Remember if you order online in advance to get 10% off tickets: http://www.royalgunpowdermills.com/plan-your-visit/admission-prices/
For more information please call 01992 707370 or see their website: http://www.royalgunpowdermills.com/
Did you know Royal Gunpowder Mills are entering the Kids Museum National Family Friendly Museum Awards, so why not make your own film or photo slideshow or write a letter supporting their nomination. For details please see AboutMyArea/EN9 article: http://www.aboutmyarea.co.uk/Essex/Waltham-Abbey/EN9/News/Local-News/271289-Royal-Gunpowder-Mills-entering-national-Family-Friendly-Museum-Awards-Please-Nominate
Photographs above by kind permission of The Royal Gunpowder Mills.
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