Because of the current conflict in Ukraine, the Great Central Railway (GCR) has decided to cancel its annual 1940s Wartime Weekend at the beginning of June and replace it with a weekend that celebrates Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee.
The 1940s Platinum Wartime Weekend will have a programme of events that remember the history of the first 50 years of the life of Queen Elizabeth II and include a pageant celebrating Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee.
All four stations of the railway will participate, with each station highlighting different periods from the 1920s up to the 1970s. The nostalgic event will be held from Thursday, 2nd June to Sunday, 5th June, with the opening event on 2nd June being a Platinum Afternoon Tea attended by various dignitaries, followed by the Thursday Night Swing Band.
Throughout the four-day weekend, there will be a feast of attractions to maintain visitors' interest, young and old, including:
- an old-time funfair for all to enjoy;
- entertainers bringing back memories of the songs and music of the time;
- re-enactors;
- vintage vehicles;
- fashion shows;
- demonstrations;
- a vintage shopping village;
- Punch & Judy;
- a Saturday night Big Band dance with the Ashby Big Band;
- a flypast;
- flying acrobatics;
- re-enactors showcasing fashion from 1920 onwards;
- a Marching Pipe Band plus more!
Full details are on the GCR's website here.
Family Tickets cost £51 for two adults and up to three children, and £36 for one adult and up to three children.
Michael Gough, Managing Director, commented “Like most of us in the UK we are appalled at the atrocities unfolding in the Ukraine and feel that an event depicting wartime would be highly insensitive at this saddening time. The opportunity to depict our Queen's life on the occasion of her Platinum Jubilee year feels far more appropriate and it promises to be a truly stunning 4 days of celebration”
Preserved railways should not be in business of cancel culture. Many, many people who attended preserved railways enjoy 1940 WW2 events.
The North Yorkshire Moors railway have taken such a decision and cancelled their similar event.
The problem with preserved railways expressing a decision on cancelling WW2 themed events are that they are entering the area of “cancel culture “.
People attend preserved railway events for pleasant escapism and these 1940 type events are loved by many
Many people will be aware of Russian composer’s music being cancelled in Cardiff.
The British people are notstupid and it should e left to make up their own minds which events they wish to support for their escapist leisure.