The countdown to the North Norfolk Railway 1940s weekend has begun and residents, shops, cafes and community groups in both Holt and Sheringham are pulling out all the stops to make sure the hugely popular annual event, which runs on Saturday and Sunday, is a roaring success.
First held 21 years ago as a one-off event at the heritage railway's stations at Sheringham, Weybourne and Holt, the 1940s weekend has since grown beyond all expectation, attracting around 10,000 people from all over the country and spreading its wings to include attractions ranging from Naafi cafes, concerts and wartime singalongs, to ration book trails, vintage vehicle displays, dancing and live music.
North Norfolk Railway general manager Andrew Munden, who is leading a team of organisers based at Sheringham station, said the railway was looking forward to a busy weekend.
"Including vintage buses, we have got 25,000 seats up for grabs and we are expecting most of these to be filled," he said. "We are very proud of what we do to bring all these people into the county for what is a great finale to the summer season, and although it's the railway's event, it is made successful by the contribution of the communities of Sheringham and Holt."
In Sheringham town centre, shops, churches, pubs and clubs have been decking their premises out in 1940s style, while, at Holt, a committee led by local businessman Duncan Baker has put together a packed programme of events ranging from a pigeon race and a children's party, to appearances from Britain's Got Talent stars the D-Day Darlings and 1980s pop icon David Van Day.
Former town mayor Mr Baker said the team was delighted to welcome back the D-Day Darlings, who will be performing in the town centre on Saturday afternoon, as well as judging a best dressed competition and launching the traditional pigeon race at 1pm.
He added: "It is a wonderful event that brings the whole community together, at the same time as raising much-needed funds for some worthy local good causes."
More: Here's everything you need to know about this year's North Norfolk Railway 1940s weekend
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