A fantastic event to finish the re-enactment year

Venturing nearly five and a half hours drive from my home near Tunbridge Wells, to attend the North Yorkshire Moors Railway event, held just 20 or so miles west of Scarborough , was well worth it. Held just two weeks ago, was  for me, a fantastic end to the re-enactment season, sure their will be many more dances and village weekends to attend, but as larges scale, closing the town off events go, the town of Pickering plays a perfect host. When I first attended this event a year ago, I was literally blown away at just what went on, re-enactments at the show ground, a parade through the town centre, a railway packed full of entertainment, stations teaming with eager visitors ready to catch a glimpse of the metal warhorses chugging through the stations and when the sun goes down, more dances, pubs and WWII themed entertainment than you can shake a barrage balloon at.

So what happened this year? Well in my opinion this event just got better, the attendance was superb with buses trailing into the park and ride areas, like B17 fortresses taking off to Normandy, dropping their eager cargoes to the event from just out of town, at the showground was non-stop. It's a pity that this area isn't utilised better as the scope here to stage large battles, and a building that could host possibly one of the biggest hanger dances imaginable is unique. However local knowledge informs me that this may not happen for a few years yet.

Venturing into town, it was a pleasure to see every shop had placed the red white and blue bunting across porch ways, and in some circumstances changed their signage.

The crowds that thronged the streets were, well akin to a scene from the victorious Allied forces liberating Holland, I have not been anywhere this friendly for a long time, and no I don't mean the landlords wanting your hard earned, although beer is surprisingly cheap in this neck of the woods and in plentiful supply!

I could not attend every dance event, during the evening as tickets had sold out weeks before and I had heard that eager re-enactors were in some cases turned away. I had the pleasure of being entertained by 4Jas, Normandy 44 and some great new friends in the local pubs and hotel along the high street. Incidentally, if any of you reading this did go to a dance, I would love to see the pictures and hear from you.

So what of the railway? Well, the loco's depart every hour on the hour and the volunteers manning these are just wonderful, be careful when you choose your train, as departing at 11am and 12noon from Pickering to travel towards Whitby can be quite packed, however you can get a great cuppa as you watch the undulating landscape unfold through historic carriage windows.

I stopped off at Levisham station, and for many, the Germans that man/occupy this station have caused consternation within the town for many years, I have it on good authority that this station scenario was created to appease the locals and keep them (the scary Germans) all in one place. WWII was a horrific affair as we all know, and veterans indeed in any town throughout the world that fought the Axis powers, may not want to be reminded of what happened. However we are in the 21st Century and WWII did not start on it's own. I did see some 'escapee' German re-enactors out in the town on the weekend nights and can proudly report that not one incident causing affray was reported! Also the scenarios put on here by the groups Das Reich and the Stahlkriegers, were the most entertaining I witnessed from all the groups I saw, they had the crowds in fits of giggles with their weapons demonstrations and set light to a downed Meschermitt 109 every hour, an impressive shown. Just be sure if you visit next year, you walk up the train to the first four coaches when you arrive as its a short platform!

Whatever your taste in WWII, this is a town you have to visit, the massive street parades, singers, entertainment and sheer goodwill oozes out of this otherwise sleepy town. We shall definitely be back next year.

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