Soak up some Blitz spirit by stepping back in time for a vintage bonanza. Street parties and traditional toys will transport visitors back to the 1940s when rationing was tough but everyone was in it together.

The two-day family friendly event promises plenty of nostalgic sights, sounds, tastes and smells, from the shriek of the air raid siren to the joys of a 1940s NAAFI truck.

Vintage fashionistas will be in their element with the Courtyard Vintage Fair and 1940s village fete with throwback goodies ranging from uniforms to jewellery. You can even have a vintage makeover and hair styled by Victory Rolls in No.1 Smithery Courtyard for ladies, or a trip to the traditional barber for men.

Relive the wartime era in all its gritty reality with a military camp, underground bomb shelters, a bombed house and 1940s pub, as well as seeing gun firing displays from the Second World War destroyer, HMS Cavalier.

Lovingly restored vintage cars, trucks and jeeps will join a Coming Home Parade each afternoon.

Refuel in style at a range of stalls, such as tea and bread pudding from the NAAFI truck, or try a pint from a vintage London Bus.

EVENING ENTERTAINMENT

As the sun sets on each day’s events, entertainers and re-enactors will join together on the Spitifre Stage to perform a flag-waving finale, led by the London Swing Orchestra. For orchestra leader and founder Graham Dalby the trip to the dockyard is something of a homecoming, as he was born in Chatham.

Graham went to school in Bearsted, near Maidstone, and then Dover College where media mogul Simon Cowell was in the year below.

“I was always hoping to give him a good kicking on the rugby pitch, but he never turned up for practice,” said Graham. “He never turned up for anything, actually.”

After studying opera at the Trinity College of Music, Graham was asked to put a big band together for VE Day celebrations in 1985. And the rest is history as the 10-piece orchestra now plays around the world.

“We’ve played for Princess Grace’s grandson’s wedding and Kate Middleton’s 21st birthday. We’ve played all over the world. Our CV is ludicrous.

“Coming home to Kent is lovely. The dockyard is a great place and I can’t wait to come back to Kent. It’s such a beautiful place. Kent people are very down to earth and Bearsted is one of the most beautiful places in the world.”

Graham, whose sister lives in Tunbridge Wells, will be singing and conducting.
A session singer for 10 years, his voice has appeared on film soundtracks including Evita with Madonna and Muppet Treasure Island.

DETAILS

Salute to the 40s will be at the Historic Dockyard, Chatham on Saturday, September 17 and Sunday, September 18.

For tickets from £18 for one day and £27.50 for two, and £8.50 for children for one day, visit thedockyard.co.uk or call 01634 823800.