Well today we went to Maiden Newton in Dorset for the event ‘Maiden Newton At War’. The weather wasn’t too bad and there were a lot of things going on.
We had a great time and I got plenty of snaps of the things going on around, I would recommend Maiden Newton at War event to anyone, its brilliant for all the family.
My Photos of the Event
The following except was taken of the website: http://www.maidennewtonatwar.co.uk
Maiden Newton at War is an event run by ’1940s Maiden Newton’ to raise funds for local charities and good causes.
During the Second World War Maiden Newton was recognised as an important railhead for the D Day preparations. A U.S. Quartermaster’s Store was established and supplied by road and rail. Maiden Newton was also directly linked to the coast by two different railway lines, the Great Western Railway to Weymouth and the Bridport Branch to Bridport and West Bay. Because of this Maiden Newton was turned into an ‘Anti Tank Island’. Hundreds of anti tank blocks were constructed along with anti tank ditches and road blocks to form a ring of obstacles around the village. In addition several ‘Pill Boxes’ and at least one ‘Spigot Mortar’ was also constructed, there is also evidence to suggest that two ‘Flame Fougasse’ booby traps were established in the lanes leading to the village.
In recognition of this important role that Maiden Newton played during WW2 a group of local residents decided to put on an event in June 2008 called Maiden Newton at War. This event attempted to interpret our history both military and civilian with displays, authentic music and battle re-enactments. Maiden Newton was never attacked by German forces, however if Operation Sea Lion, the planned German invasion of England, had taken place then one of the landing forces was tasked to progress along the Bridport Branch Line to Maiden Newton, then onto Bristol via the Great Western Railway. Our battles reflect what might have happened. It was due largely to the efforts of the RAF during the Battle of Britain in 1940 that this invasion never took place and a good deal of uncertainty amongst the commanding officers of the German army, navy and air force. Had they all been able to agree then the story might well have been different.
A second, overwhelmingly successful, event took place in 2010. We were joined by a complimentary event – Armour and Embarkation, which brought a great deal of WW2 armour to West Dorset for the first time since 1945. We also had the privilege of leading the Dorchester Carnival along with Armour and Embarkation. Our battles were bigger and better than ever with a Seafire joining in on the Saturday and Jim Clark’s Sherman tank coming out to play on the Sunday. The quality of the re-enactors was outstanding and we were joined by the ‘Red Ball Express’ for the first time. Maiden Newton at War just gets better and better, we can’t wait for 2012.