FINAL preparations are being put in place for this year’s Haworth 1940s Weekend, which begins in the village on Friday.

The 2017 event will raise money for the Pilgrim Bandits charity, which helps severely injured service personnel rebuild their lives.

Roberta Winterton, Yorkshire representative for the charity, said her group would have various stands scattered around Haworth Central Park and the Bronte Parsonage Museum Car Park, where people can learn about its work, donate and buy its merchandise.

“We want as many people as possible to come along, enjoy the event and support us,” she added.

Among the new attractions this year will be talks and book signings by veteran former SAS soldier Pete “Snapper” Winner. On both Saturday and Sunday he will be staging a book signing in Haworth Methodist Chapel, West Lane, at 10am, then a talk about the 1980 Iranian Embassy Siege and the 1972 Battle of Mirbat at 2pm.

A “Bombshell Bar” in the park will offer a selection of cask ales, lagers, ciders, wines and spirits as well as 1940s-style acts and music. This will be open from 10am to 2pm from Friday until Sunday. On both Friday and Saturday there will be a vintage cocktail and Prosecco bar at the tennis courts.

Evening entertainment begins on Friday with a tea dance featuring the Rum & Cola Girls and Woody’s Wartime Melodies in Haworth Methodist Chapel, from 7pm until late.

On Saturday there is another tea dance at the same time and venue, featuring 12-piece band Gerry and the Hatricks and Woody’s Wartime Melodies.

Advance tickets for these two dances can be bought for £5 from firthsboutique@live.co.uk though a limited number of tickets will be sold on the door. Also on Friday night there is a “Home Guard Hop Friday Nite Fly Rite” music and singing event at the Old White Lion, from 7.30pm to 11pm. Call 07736 520755 for £5 tickets or more details.

A detailed souvenir event guide, called “Top Secret” has been produced and can be bought in advance at a cost of £2 from Firths Boutique or The Curiosity Society – both in Haworth Main Street – or from Haworth Visitor Information Society.

As previously reported, guest of honour at the weekend will be Pilgrim Bandits ambassador and patron Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson, who survived severe injuries in a bomb blast in Afghanistan in 2006.

Visit the Haworth 1940s Weekend Facebook page for more details.