The annual RAF Burtonwood nostalgia weekend was a roaring success with large crowds making it the Heritage Centre’s most successful event to date
The nostalgia weekend is organised by the RAF Burtonwood Heritage Centre as a celebration of the personnel who were stationed at the American airbase from 1940 to 1993. It is a keenly anticipated event that draws people from far and wide including many who dress in period costume and enjoy a trip down memory lane.
The weekend included many displays ranging from an American Civil War reenactment to Ian and Stella of Sunnyside Swing who filled the dance floor with revellers boogying to their favourite old-time tunes.
Saturday evening saw the the sold out Rock and Jive Night which starred the fabulous Downtown Daddios performing songs from the 1950s from memorable artists such as Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, Ray Charles, Carl Perkins, Johnny Preston, Bobby Darin, Johnny Ray and Louis Prima to name a few.
The only sad part of the whole weekend was that the proposed Battle of Britain flypast was cancelled due to the Dakota aircraft developing a mechanical fault and being forced to land in Manchester. This didn’t put a dampener on the fun which continued throughout the whole weekend.
Keeping the crowds entertained were military displays, classic car clubs, traders, re-enactors, the Armed Forces, emergency services teams, air cadets and food and drinks outlets.
Established within the grounds of Gulivers World theme park which was built on the former RAF Burtonwood once the largest and longest-running military airbase in Britain, RAF Burtonwood Heritage Centre was established to preserve and uphold the history of the men, women and activities that occurred here.
Over 8,500 Americans were based at RAF Burtonwood during WW2 and over 70,000 service personnel served here during its 54-year history until closure in 1993.
The influence of the base on Warrington and the local community was very significant including 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.
Details of opening hours and forthcoming events can be found here RAF Burtonwood Heritage Centre
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