Meltham 1940s Celebration Weekend

Weekend Examiner

Memories are made of this

MELTHAM is preparing to turn back the clock for a mid-July feast of pure nostalgia.

The 1940s Celebration Weekend promises a three-day programme packed with special events and activities – something for everyone! Older residents will be able to re-live memories of wartime, while those too young to remember can experience a glimpse of life the way it was, 65 to 70 years ago.

With leaflets going out to over 3,000 homes, organisers are hoping as many people as possible, of all ages, will be encouraged to get out of their armchairs and join the fun over the weekend of Friday July 17 to Sunday July 19.
Advance planning is the key to any successful event although inevitably some last minute details will need to be finalised.

With that in mind, Friday 17 has been officially declared Preparation Day, when the Celebration Weekend will be setting out its stall in more ways than one.

Leaflets and information about the weekend a will be available in the civic hall, Carlile Street, from 10am-2pm. Coffee, scones and sandwiches will be available, served by the Forget Me Not support group.

Feel free to pop in, find out what’s happening and enjoy a cuppa or a snack. There will also be a cake stall, a raffle and tombola. During the morning Jack Hutson will be singing a selection of wartime melodies.

Photographs and Meltham memorabilia will be on view in the council chamber (10am-2pm). Later the church hall will be available for group members to set out tables and decorate with flags and bunting (5pm-6.30pm).

At this stage, the scene will be set for the weekend itself. On Saturday (July 18), the church hall at Green End Road will be a veritable hive of activity, starting from 10am-noon when the church ladies invite you to their ‘40s style coffee morning with Jack Hutson serving up a selection of songs, big-band style.

Definitely not to be missed is a display of Meltham memories in St Bartholomew’s Church (10am-4pm) Take a trip down memory lane and see how many familiar faces and places you can spot. Meltham Over 60s will be serving afternoon wartime teas in the church hall (2pm-4pm) Outdoor events during the day include a parade of vintage vehicles.

The assembly point is the Sports and Social Club, Mean Lane (10am) where car parking spaces will be available and refreshments served. The parade will move off at noon, led by Meltham and Meltham Mills Band, arriving at Market Place at 1pm.

Meltham Fire Station, Holmfirth Road, will be open to visitors from 2pm, with more memories of times past, along with face painting and fun for the children.

You can expect to see plenty of activity in the village centre, with ‘40s-themed country stalls and displays of memorabilia in shop windows.

Other entertainment during the afternoon will be provided by Meltham and Meltham Mills Band, St Bartholomew's Church, the Gilbert and Sullivan society and more melodies through the mists of time from Norman Mellor and Jack Hutson.

The church hall will host a Saturday night supper dance with a specially planned 19.40 (7.40pm) start time. Jump, Jive and Wail provide the live music until 11pm. Tickets: £9.40.

On the Sunday morning (July 19) Meltham Churches Together invite you to a service of celebration at St Bartholomew's (10am), followed by refreshments in the hall.

All in all, it should be a memorable weekend for all ages.

Richard Ryden, the official Meltham Memories photographer will be capturing the event on camera during the weekend and photographs will go on display in the village.

* For more information about the 1940s Celebration Weekend, or if you would like to offer a helping hand, contact Pam: 01484 850269 or 852367, alternatively speak to Steve Aldred: 07731 818 320.