GALLERY: Return of "Life on the Home Front" most successful yet, say organisers

After a pause of two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, one of the UK’s most-loved 1940s festivals made a triumphant return over the weekend.
By Rachel Armitage
Published 11th Jul 2022, 11:58 BST
Updated 11th Jul 2022, 11:58 BST
Singer Jayne Darling performing at Jubilee Park.Singer Jayne Darling performing at Jubilee Park.
Singer Jayne Darling performing at Jubilee Park.

Woodhall Spa 1940s Festival returned over Saturday and Sunday (July 9 to 10), with thousands of people flocking to the town to celebrate life on the Homefront, which this year celebrated its 10th year

Over the two days, there was huge programme of events including live music, entertainment, plenty of displays of military and civilian vintage vehicles – and even a visit from ‘Prime Minister Winston Churchill’.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Just some of the re-enactment groups and 1940s entertainers performing across the weekend included Brandyn Shaw, Stuart Lowther as “George Formby”, The Dream Belles and Woodhall Spa’s own Miss Sarah Jayne.

Most Popular
The Hollinshead Family at the 1940s festival.The Hollinshead Family at the 1940s festival.
The Hollinshead Family at the 1940s festival.

There was also a drop-in dance classes and a WWII farming exhibition at Coronation Hall, as well as an appearance from Field Marshal Bernard ‘Monty” Montgomery, with a Flypast by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Lancaster, Hurricane and Spitfire, with the latter later on display in the grounds of the Petwood Hotel.

The organising committee has estimated that attendance was in excess of 50,000 people over the festival, and chairman of the organising Committee, Andy Hunter, said the weekend has been by far the most successful event in their ten-year history:

"The pent-up appetite for large events like this and the extremely good weather enticed a record number of attendees to Woodhall Spa, and they created an incredible atmosphere throughout.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"From a logistical point of view, it all ran smoothly – we did have to close one car park much earlier on Saturday than expected due to so many people attending, but we enhanced the capacity for Sunday.

One of the vintage military vehicles at Woodhall Spa 40s festival.One of the vintage military vehicles at Woodhall Spa 40s festival.
One of the vintage military vehicles at Woodhall Spa 40s festival.

"All in all, it’s been a great success and I’d like to thank the residents and businesses of Woodhall Spa for their huge role on making this the best 1940s event in the UK – not my words, but the overwhelming feedback of visitors on social media”.