Join us for a fabulous 40s weekend at Thorney near Peterborough on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 June 2023. The Crowland and Thorney 1940s weekend will bring people together to remember past times, share memories, and meet the re-enactors who keep history alive.
After a successful event last year we are bringing the event back for 2023.
The 40s were a significant time for the country and doubly so for Crowland with the flood in 1947. The incredible Crowland Buffalo LVT will be on display as well as many re-enactors, trade stands, a bar, dancing, music, trade stands and much more.
If you are a business and would like to sponsor the event please get in touch.
Information for traders, re-enactors and anyone taking part is here.
Congratulations Daniel, Dave and all the organisers for your efforts in putting on a superb weekend, from everyone at Spirit of the Homefront
Feedback from the 2022 event
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Music
You can’t have a 1940s weekend without music of the time and we’ll have a great range for the weekend! All entertainment will be held undercover in the main barn.
Saturday and Sunday
- 1940sradio.com – music provided throughout the day by Dave and Sam Dawes.
- Jayne Darling – a professional singer specialising in vintage, swing and jazz entertainment for a whole range of special occasions and events.
- The Lahdidahs – The Lahdidah’s are a 1940’s and vintage close harmony trio, soprano, alto and mezzo.
- Saturday only: Jade Donno – Jade celebrates all the very best music form the swing era of the 1940’s to now.
- Sunday only: Alan Jackson – Vintage singer with specialising in songs from the 30s, 40s and 50s.
What a brilliant event for a first time. Fantastic entertainment and displays, great selection of traders. It was really good to see the agricultural history along with the military side of the 40’s. A well earned thank you Daniel Abbott and Cathi, Andrew Smalley and Christine and all the organising team not forgetting Michael for providing such a marvellous venue.
P.m. Feedback from the 2022 event.
A range of vintage vehicles will also be on display, including jeeps, classic cars, tractors, motorcycles, land rovers and more.
Reenactors
We are still taking bookings but currently confirmed are:
- 2nd Armoured Living History Group
- Afrika Korps 200fg & DRK Nurses Afrika
- C Troop 1st Airborne Reconnaissance Squadron Re-enactment group
- Co Fedjagerkorps 44 living history & Re-enactment group
- ETO Alliance Group
- Fen Tigers
- Foxhole 44
- Kampfcgruppe Nord Re-enactment group
- Lincolnshire Re-enactment Display Group
- Northern forties (south) Group
- Notts & Derby Rhine Crossing including Buffalo 47
- Spirit of the Homefront
- Two World Wars WW2 Burma campaign
Trade stands
Traders will be on-site including vintage and retro clothing and accessories, militaria, sweets, homewares and craft stalls.
Refreshments
- Bar by Coronation Bars will be open all weekend.
- A range of food will be available from the on-site cafe and outside kiosks.
Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th June 2023
Saturday 10am – 5pm, Sunday 10am – 4pm.
Park Farm, Thorney, Peterborough, PE6 0SY
Further details on the location and travel here.
If you have any concerns about anything while you are visiting please contact the volunteers on the main gate.
The Saturday night dance will see music from 7pm with live music from swing band Swingamathing and 40s music with DJ Dave Dawes of 1940sradio.com.
Swingamathing are a truly authentic, 30’s and 40’s style swing band, bringing the nostalgic sounds and looks of that fabulous era.
Coronation bars will be providing drinks throughout the evening.
Vintage dress is optional but welcome.
Admission Prices
Saturday 10am – 5am
- Saturday Adult Day Pass £10
Saturday Dance 7pm – 11pm
- Dance tickets £10 (£8 each if you are camping)
Sunday 10am – 4pm
- Sunday Adult Day Pass £10
Weekend savers
- Weekend Adult Pass (Saturday and Sunday) £18
Camping
- Friday and Saturday night camping £25 per pitch. Tickets not available online but please fill in the attached form and return it to the address or email at the bottom of the form.
Accompanied children aged 15 and under are free.
Ticket sales are powered by Ticket Taylor. Launched in 2010 the company provides an easy to use, safe and secure online platform to purchase tickets for events big and small.
Peterborough Farm Machinery Preservation Society will also be on site with 40 plus tractors for a working weekend. If this is something that interests you then check them out.
Please remember that the Crowland and Thorney 1940s weekend is an event organised by a small team of dedicated volunteers. We are a charity and the aim of the event is to raise funds for the restoration of the Crowland Buffalo.
Crowland Buffalo LVT 