VIDEO: WARTIME Warrington was brought back to life at the annual Burtonwood Nostalgia Festival.
RAF Burtonwood Association in partnership with Gullivers World presented their annual Burtonwood Nostalgia Festival, which was described as “A weekend to commemorate the personal who were stationed at the airbase from 1940 to its closure in 1993.
At the event visitors who braved the rain were treated to some wonderful exhibits with many classic cars on show, the police and fire service were on hand with many vehicles too. The Merseyside and Cheshire Blood Bikes crew were here to explain the fantastic work they do for hospitals.
There were military displays by the 4th. Mercian Regiment who brought along everything including the kitchen sink as they set up a fully operational field kitchen. Rolling Thunder Vietnam Experience team showed off their US war paraphernalia, and there were many military vehicles including a working field gun and transport from World War 2. Also entertaining folk were the American Civil War re-enactors who set up camp alongside the park lake.
Musical entertainment was provided throughout the day with various period themed acts performing and the strains of Glenn Miller and Vera Lynn were never far away. On Saturday night a great old fashioned jive evening proved very popular.
The influence of the base on Warrington and the local community was hugely significant and included 7500 marriages to GIs during its history.
RAF Burtonwood represents a special link between US troops and people of the UK, not all of whom were stationed soldiers but also including the many civilians whose lives were permanently changed by the base.The association exists to preserve the memory of the base and has been fortunate to acquire many artefacts including equipment actually used at the base and other relevant period items.
Meanwhile the Burtonwood Association’s Heritage centre based at Gullivers World, provides educational packages for school groups, visits for children’s groups, visits for adult groups, talks and presentations on subjects such as the Berlin Airlift, life on the homefront, rationing and evacuees and the effect of the war on Warrington and its people.
