World War 2 Recall Event

Chipping Local History Society

Chipping World War 2 Recall Event

Home Front Recall – by Pauline Paterson

On Sunday, September 18th 2005, around 300 people enjoyed a nostalgic afternoon in Chipping, funded by the National Lottery Home Front Recall project, re-living what it was like to be on the “home front” during World War 2.

Members of Chipping Local History society (CLHS), Chipping Women’s Institute, Chipping Steam Fair Committee, Chipping Line Dancers, St. Bartholomew’s Church, the Congregational Church, St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church and the head teachers and children from Brabin’s Endowed School and St. Marys Roman Catholic School contributed to the event, which got under way at noon with a short Service of Commemoration.

Mr. Eric Bainbridge and Rev. Sue Williams spoke tellingly of the sacrifices ordinary people had had to make during World War 2, and of the endurance and courage, they had shown in the face of hardship and danger. The schoolchildren, trained and accompanied by Marion Gaughan, sang a good selection of World War2 songs with the older generation movingly joining in. Particularly poignant was the reunion of several evacuees, now in their 80s, who had been sent to Chipping as small children from Salford and Manchester.

The lively music of the 15-piece big band in 1940s mood encouraged dancers onto the floor, interspersed with Chipping Line Dancers “strutting their stuff”. Many adults had rented1940s-style costumes from the “Dress Circle” in Longridge (courtesy of the Lottery funding) adding to the authenticity of the event, with plenty of men in military, naval and air force uniforms and women in elegant dresses or land army and nursing gear.

In the foyer, there were three exhibitions- by CLHS, by British Aerospace (BAE) Heritage Unit and by older children from Brabin’s school. The CLHS exhibition included WW2 documentation, photos of local people working for the war effort, in the Home Guard etc. A RAF navigator’s flight plan of a successful bombing raid over Germany and military uniforms loaned by local men provided authentic evidence of what WW2 had been like. The professional BAE display covered many aspects of wartime life in the Preston area.

Outside the hall, a Dig for Victory plant and produce stall raised funds for Chipping Early Learners. On display alongside were several WW2 military vehicles and tractors. A free minibus service to visit Mr. T. Till’s Military Collection was organised by Mrs. Goldsborough and others during the afternoon. The event was photographed to provide a permanent record

Photographs 1 t o 12 are shown here by kind permission of John Eveson Photography @ www.johneveson.com