THOUSANDS of people converged on Haworth this weekend as the clock was turned back to the 1940s.

The iconic annual event once again drew massive crowds from across the country – and beyond.

And many of those who attended got into the spirit of the sun-soaked weekend by donning period costume, both civilian and military.

Home Guard brushed shoulders with Military Police, infantry with traditional ‘Bobbies’, in a packed Main Street.

One couple, Brian and Sheila Wareing, had travelled from the Midlands specifically for the event.

“There are quite a lot of 1940s weekends held around the country now but this is the best we’ve been to,” said Mr Wareing, 60.

“We came last year and had a great time so decided to return. There’s so much going on and the atmosphere is just fantastic.”

A host of attractions and activities was staged throughout the weekend.

New for this year was a Second World War battle re-enactment, featuring tanks and pyrotechnic displays, on the school playing fields.

There was an array of music from the era, with performances at various venues around the village.

The line-up included international vocalist and trumpeter Ricky Hunter and vintage singers Hattie Bee, Amanda Beaumont and Kitty LaMare.

Kal’s Kats vintage swing band accompanied a series of dances in a marquee at the Bronte Parsonage Car Park.

A procession took place down Main Street on both Saturday and Sunday.

It featured a band, several military vehicles, Scouts, cadets and Pilgrim Bandits ambassador Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson, who survived severe injuries in a bomb blast in Afghanistan in 2006.

A chunk of the proceeds from the weekend are once again going to the Pilgrim Bandits charity, which helps severely injured members of the military to rebuild their lives.

Haworth Central Park was the venue for various goods and memorabilia stalls, living history groups, singers and a fairground, and there were more stalls in the Parsonage car park.

MORE TOP STORIES

History enthusiasts were treated to authentic displays of weapons, vehicles and other military equipment in Main Street and West Lane.

A Home Guard group manned an outpost, while members of the North West 101st Airborne re-enactment group were also on duty.

Villager Andrea Leathley, who co-organised the event with husband Brian and a small team of volunteers, was delighted with how it went.

“This was the first time I’d been involved in organising the weekend and I couldn’t be more pleased,” she said.

“There’s been a lot going on for families and visitors of all ages.

“People loved the battle re-enactments, the tea dances were really popular, the singers went down well. Everything was well supported and the feedback has been terrific. And of course we’ve been helped by the weather!

“Thank you to everyone who came along.

“Thanks also go to so many people for their help and support – the police, council wardens and officers, Pilgrim Bandits, our wonderful volunteer marshalls and those on our small committee who helped pull it all together.”

Just one scheduled attraction could not go ahead. Plans to screen the royal at West Lane Methodist Church had to be scrapped due to an aerial issue.“We apologise for that,” said Mrs Leathley.