The Pateley Bridge 1940s weekend (28 -29 July 2018) has been hailed a success, despite having some challenging weather at times.
Keith Tordoff MBE from Nidderdale Chamber of Trade said:
The Pateley Bridge 1940s weekend was a resounding success.
The Saturday with the wedding of retired Reverend Chris Stark MBE 82 years to Olive Moyses 75yrs and who had not been married before was truly a memorable occasion.
Although the day started with rain the weather soon picked up and the sun shone for most of the rest of it.
The crowds turned out to see all the exhibitors will there classic cars and military vehicles. Many were taking photographs in front of the Spitfire plane which was situated on the Nidderdale agricultural showground.
Six coaches arrived many with visitors in period costume or dress. The wedding party were driven in a convoy of limousines and military vehicles up Pateley High Street to the Methodist Church.
On leaving the church the newly married couple have a guard of honour on the steps of the church from local Sea Cadets.
2 pipers a 1940s motorcycle outrider escorted the Rolls-Royce containing the newly-weds down Pateley Bridge High Street.
Crowds lined the streets cheering and waving at them. What a fantastic day and Memories to hold on to.
Whilst on the Sunday it’s more or less round continuously it did not dampen the spirits of those coming along. Of course it was the war years and we are made of stronger stuff so just kept on going. There was a wonderful service at the Methodist Church where David Kerfoot MBE DL deputy Lieutenant of North Yorkshire laid a wreath.
Another very special guest at the service was Doris Hatcher 92 years so during the war was a land army girl and she used to cycle into Pateley Bridge to meet her friend.
Doris spoke at the service recounting her experiences of the time and everyone in the congregation was fascinated listening intently.
The wet weather meant that the 1940s singers performed in the Memorial Hall. In the hall whilst being entertained by the singers volunteers including ones from Dementia Forward a registered charity who have their base in Ripon served refreshments to visitors attending the event.
The weekend created a real buzz around Pateley Bridge and whilst helping the local economy also no doubt provided lots of happy memories for everyone.
David A Kerfoot MBE, Deputy Lieutenant of North Yorkshire said:
Pateley Bridge reflects all that is excellent about a market town.
Clear ambition, passion, commitment from the numerous volunteers and first class leadership. This makes events like the 1940’s weekend so successful and enjoyable to all who come to take part or watch the various activities.
But the key is this is just one of the many events throughout the year which make Pateley a very special place to visit and long may that continue.
Locally based Summerbridge & Dacre Silver Band were delighted to be invited once again to perform at the event on both days. Band chairman Mike Lumb said:
This is our fourth year of taking part and it’s fantastic to be involved in such an amazing weekend. On Saturday we really enjoyed entertaining the crowds on the High Street and included some well-known 1940’s tunes and war film music in our programme, such as “633 Squadron” and the March from “The Great Escape”.
Unfortunately Sunday on the bandstand was a little damp but we gave it our best shot until our music started to get a bit soggy and rain stopped play.
When is the next Pateley Bridge Wartime Weekend please?