Armed Forces Weekend 2018 - People ‘on Parade’.
- HIGHCROFT WRITING
- Oct 12, 2018
- 3 min read
One weekend a year, in the tiny town of Padiham, Lancashire, time slips back to the 1940s.
‘Padiham on Parade’ takes over the main street, it’s ‘town centre’, and local people and businesses embrace the spirit of the Second World War era.
Organised by a group of Armed Forces Veterans, this particular 1940s weekend is specifically arranged to mark the UK’s Armed Forces Weekend, but like nearby Haworth’s 1940s weekend (next to be held on May 18th & 19th, 2019), there is a commitment and energy to reliving the 1940’s like no other era.
Searches on instagram, and other social media, will bring back account after account of regular re-enactors, who make the commitment to attending multiple events a year at diverse locations around the country, with some even beginning to embed elements in their daily lives. So what is it that draws the English, particularly, to the ethos of the 1940’s?
“I think it’s a number of things...”, says one of the days attendees. “It was a hard period, heart breaking what happened, unthinkable really. So many people lost, but something I think the country could be proud of - doing the right thing. People carried themselves with a bit more dignity back then, didn’t they? Didn’t have much, but made more of an effort. I think we’ve lost that, haven’t we? They had a class and pride that we don’t seem to see today. Proper community. Can you imagine if we had to pull together like that nowadays?”
This strikes a cord for me, as I’ve recently been re-reading a prompted ‘journal of memories’ I had my Grandad complete in 2008, before he passed away. On one page it asks, ‘Do you think life today is better or worse than when you were young?’ There’s a full blank page for an answer, but he is clear and succinct. “There is still the same poverty and greed but there is more selfishness.”
This Sunday marked the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the Battle of the Somme and, at the start of Padiham’s Sunday programme, a march and service of remembrance was held that included a short tribute by local school children to honour soldiers who went to school in Padiham and died in The First World War
“Things like this, Armed Forces Weekend and that, we have to keep reminding people, giving respect where it’s due. Being willing to die for other people? I don’t think I could do it. I know war’s an ugly thing, and all that, and I know people talk about whether we should be going to war these days, interfering in other countries fights that are none of our business, but you have to be made of something to put yourself on the line like that. Well, that’s what I think, anyway..."
With the more sombre elements of the last day over, and the weather frankly glorious for North West England, the mood quickly shifted. The crowd began to quickly disperse, with most heading for the shaded entertainment tent. I was left with the light-hearted, but ever so honest and completely priceless,“ It’s also not a bad excuse for a cheeky Sunday pint in the sun...”
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Armed Forces Day takes place on the last Saturday each June. The purpose of Armed Forces Day is to show support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community: from currently serving troops to Service families, veterans and cadets. Although Armed Forces Day is not a charitable event, the Armed Forces have the support of several UK charities which assist in the organisation of events.
You can fine out more about the events and organisations mentioned in this piece, such as Padiham on Parade, Haworth 1940s weekend, the Armed Forces Day, the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, and the Royal British Legion below.
You can also find a list of events on the 1940s society website at http://www.1940.co.uk/acatalog/events-diary.html
and at the Friends of the 40s site, http://www.friendsofthe40s.com/index.php?page=event
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As always, if you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this piece, please consider whether you would benefit from accessing relevant support.
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