Nostalgic fun as town goes back in time to 1940s

SOLDIERS, Land Girls and washerwomen took over the pannier market in Tiverton recently for a day recreating the community togetherness of the 1940s.

The theme was chosen by Involve — Voluntary Action Mid Devon to help recruit more people during National Volunteers Week at the beginning of the month.

Terry Snow takes aim on a 1917 Lewis machine gun Marcus Thompson MDG050610_MT04_16
Mary Willis and Susan Lawson with some old hats Marcus Thompson MDG050610_MT04_04
People stopped at stalls for a drink and a chat Marcus Thompson MDG050610_MT04_05
Museum manager Judith Elsdon MDG050610_MT04_02
Sue Snell and Karen Hedges from Involve, Tiverton MDG050610_MT04_27
Army cadets Tom Sixsmith, David Carrington and Richard Salter MDG050610_MT04_25
Even this baby was dressed from the era MDG050610_MT04_24
Tiverton's Saturday Polish School choir was among the entertainment at the event Marcus Thompson MDG050610_MT04_08
Sue Virgin with her 1944 Morris C8 Truck Marcus Thompson MDG050610_MT04_15
Paul Thornton and Mavis Seeley play the part of a fond farewell MDG050610_MT04_23
Market manager Chris Firth behind the wheel of a vintage car Marcus Thompson MDG050610_MT04_13
Poppy Appleyard with her tombola bomb Marcus Thompson MDG050610_MT04_10
From left, Sarah Phillips, Michelle Holmes and Chloe Holmes, 9 Marcus Thompson MDG050610_MT04_09

As well as the regular Saturday market on June 5, there were an additional 17 stalls all staffed by people in costume from a variety of local and national charities working in the Mid Devon area.

A number of vintage cars, motorcycles and tractors brought along to the event to add to the authenticity of the day.

Councillor Frank Rosamond, chairman of Mid Devon District Council, opened the event at 10am after which the U3A Singers, dressed in costume, led the singing of 1940s songs followed by a 1940s washday demonstration put together by Hospiscare and Tiverton Museum of Mid Devon Life. At 12.30pm, it was children's street party time with corned beef and Spam sandwiches followed by jelly and blancmange.

For those who were feeling nostalgic pangs of hunger, the afternoon also featured food rationing talks and cooking demonstration organised by the volunteer centre at Involve. A lively jitterbug and lindyhop workshop got everyone moving and there was also a bandage demonstration by St John Ambulance,

Entertainment throughout the day came courtesy of David Heathfield and Suzi Johnson, mixing Second World War songs and storytelling and traditional Polish songs from Tiverton's Polish Saturday School Choir.

Sue Snell, volunteer centre co-ordinator for Tiverton and Cullompton, said the day proved successful in making people aware of just how many volunteering opportunities existed in Tiverton.

"It was very special community day where people of all ages contributed, shared stories, experiences and had fun. We were hoping to perhaps attract ten new volunteers across the event, we don't know exactly how many people have signed up with all the different organisations, but it is looking as is we will exceed that number threefold."

Existing contributions to the community were also noted with the presentation of Volunteering Merit Awards by Deputy Mayor of Tiverton, Councillor Neal Davey, and the chief officer of Involve, Duncan Wood, to recognise the valuable, varied and important work of local volunteers.

Mrs Snell added: "So many people, organisations and local businesses supported this event so generously and Involve would like to thank everyone who took part or contributed in some way."

A special thank-you went to sponsors Maslands, Oxygen Creative, Mid Devon District Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund.