The camaraderie of war time Britain was palpable as revellers flocked to a 1940s event.
Records were broken as an estimated 100,000 people from Huddersfield and Calderdale packed the streets for Brighouse’s 1940s event across the weekend.
The free event took over the whole town centre and featured a step back in time with a host of re-enactors, dancers, singers, military displays and vehicles.
And despite the warm temperatures many dozens went the extra mile to put on a bit of 1940s style.
A range of military, casual and formal outfits were seen on people, evoking memories of World War 2, the “Land Girls” and the glamour of 1940s swing.
Organiser, Stephen Lord, said he was delighted with the turnout and estimated it had pumped £1m into the Calderdale economy.
“We’ve never seen anything like this before,” he said.
“It’s set all new records, it was phenomenal.
“We think about 40,000 to 50,000 came on each day, it’s absolutely terrific.
“We’ve put an awful lot of hard work in and we’ve promoted it very heavily so it’s great to see that everybody loves it.
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“We asked people to put an extra effort into dressing up and they’ve responded brilliantly.
“The more that dress up the better the event is.”
Steven Morton, James Hirst, Steve Carroll – all from Dewsbury and Batley – joined in the fun wearing realistic military outfits, recently purchased from a Milnsbridge vintage shop.
Steven said: “It’s the second time we’ve been, you can’t beat it.
“The atmosphere is great, it’s packed.
“We went to Batley’s 1940s event last week and that was nothing compared to this; this is huge.”
Stan Cruickshank, from Brighouse was also there for the second year donned to the nines in his retro gear.
Stan, 74, got his outfit “very cheap” from a range of charity shops.
“It’s an excellent event, it takes a lot of beating,” he said.
Sisters, Irene Bradley and Pauline Fisher, and Pauline’s husband Robert, looked splendid dressed in glamourous outfits, including their mother’s original coat.
The trio from Huddersfield and Meltham were attending to dance the night away at the big band swing dance at the Assembly Rooms.
