40s Festival launches newlottery for improvements

More than 12,000 visitors attended last year’s event but the success led to complaints about traffic - and car parking.

Concerns were discussed at a public forum last September and the event’s organising committee have pledged improvements will be in place for the 2016 event on July 16 and 17.

The lottery is designed to cover the costs of putting on the event, including the traffic system which organisers admit will come at a significant cost.

Andy Hunter, chairman of the organising committee, said: “We are delighted to be able to officially announce the date of the 2016 festival.

“We’ve been working very hard to overcome some challenges and, now that we are far enough down the line with some very exciting plans, we hope everyone in Woodhall Spa and our committed supporters everywhere will be pleased to get the date in their diaries.”

The “On the Ration” lottery costs £1 a week to take part and is capped at 200 entrants. Anyone who signs up has the chance to win one of three monthly prizes of £75 in vouchers which can be spent in more than 40 shops, restaurants and venues in Woodhall Spa. More than half of the tickets have been sold since the lottery was launched at the village’s Christmas Market. Anyone who wants to take part should call 07950 179985.

It will be the fifth year the festival has been held and it is established as one of the most successful of its kind in the country.

It will feature a full weekend of 1940s-themed entertainments, re-enactments, vendors, parties and competitions.

The 2016 event will follow an extremely successful weekend last year when visitors packed the streets, shops, hotels, cafes and venues to celebrate the best of life on the World War II home-front.

The event also features a new look logo – designed by Woodhall Spa based agency The Page Design.

It recognises Woodhall Spa’s connection with the iconic Lancaster bomber and the 1st Airborne Division who were based in the village during WWII.

○Visit woodhall-spa-40s-festival.com for details on the 2016 event.