Flypasts, fun and fabulous forties entertainment at Milton Keynes Museum

Posted 1st August 2017

Milton Keynes Museum is stepping back in time this September for a fabulous 1940s weekend.

Visitors will be able to step right into history, with all the sights, sounds and events from the decade – and this is one event where there will be no rationing of entertainment!

All eyes will be looking to the skies with memorial flypasts from two WWII legends – a Spitfire on Saturday and a Dakota on Sunday and visitors will even have the chance to take the controls in the cockpit of a Spitfire – a replica of the plane flown by wartime flying ace Johnnie Johnson!*

If you feel peckish, there will be no shortage of nice nibbles to stave off hunger pangs – visit the vintage tea room for the savory snacks and sweet treats that are the talk of the town.

While there, you’ll be serenaded by forces favorite, Miss Lola Lamour.

The dance floor awaits if you fancy moving to the tunes of the era. Why not shake loose to renditions of Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy or Chattanooga Choo Choo?

And if something a little bit stronger than a cup of tea is required to wash it down, stop off at The Angel Inn, which will be serving up perfect pints in the Street of Shops.

You will be able to meet some of the people from the period too, including one of the most famous – Prime Minister Winston Churchill will be giving rallying speeches, while historian and author Neil Storey will recount some of the many amazing stories of how people survived the air raids.

All food was precious and ration books were an essential part of everyday life. But how do you make a little food go a long way? The Ministry of Food will be around all weekend to help with that.

Communities were damaged during wartime, but it also brought people together. Faced with scary, unsettled futures, they made the most of every minute. They worked hard and played hard, and the 1940s weekend will reflect as much.

The home guard battalions and the women’s home guard auxiliaries will be on hand at the museum, while the RAF and American G.I.s will be setting up camp on site and hosting displays.

The law at war is recognised too, so you must pay a visit to their interesting pop-up police station…just mind your Ps and Qs in front of the village bobbies!

A free French military display of artifacts will take attentions and vintage traders will be selling their wares.

In the garden, Mrs. Skivvy will be working up a sweat too, cultivating the crops.

Aside from all the fabulous 1940’s fun, the usual museum attractions will be open all weekend, and a warm welcome is guaranteed from the museum’s own army of volunteers.

Don’t be shy, come and see ‘the way we were’ this September 2 & 3!

*Extra charge and booking required for this experience. Visit www.mkmuseum.org.uk

Standard admission prices apply – which will also give you FREE entry for the following 12 months when Gift Aid is given; adults £9, child £6, retired & unwaged £7.

A family ticket (admitting two adults and up to four children) is £26.

More information about forthcoming events and expansion plans can be found on the website: www.mkmuseum.org.uk

Opening hours: 11am-4.30pm

Address: Milton Keynes Museum McConnell Drive

Wolverton Milton Keynes

Sat-Nav it: MK12 5EL