Best of British diary

A full list of 1940s Events can be found here.

South West

4th  Exmoor Day Out, The West Somerset Railway, Minehead, Somerset

Enjoy a small taste of yesteryear, taking a mystery tour by train and coach.

5th-7th  Didcot, Newbury & Southampton Gala, Didcot Railway Centre, Didcot, Oxfordshire

GWR Diesel Railcar No.22 is in operation, while U Class locomotive No. 31806 pays a visit from the Mid-Hants Railway.

South East

5th-7th  The 7th Isle of Wight Real Ale Festival, Isle of Wight Steam Railway, Havenstreet, Isle of Wight

Enjoy a range of real ales along and take a ride on the full steam service.

6th  Veteran and Classic Motorcycle Show, Amberley Museum & Heritage Centre, Arundel, West Sussex

A display of beautifully maintained and restored motorcycles.

6th  Spring Rally Open Day, Twyford Waterworks, Twyford, Hampshire

There’s something for everyone at this popular start of season event.

West of England

2nd-8th  Eeles Family Pottery, The National Arboretum, Westonbirt, Gloucestershire

An exhibition of beautiful handmade Dorset stoneware, porcelain and pottery.

6th  Free Bus Ride, Oxford Bus Museum, Witney, Oxfordshire

Sample (or remember) what bus travel was like 50 years ago with a free bus ride from the Museum.

East of England

5th  Spalding Flower Parade, Spalding, Lincolnshire

A procession of tulip-decorated floats, on the theme of Food Glorious Food, makes its way through the town, accompanied by marching bands and dancers.

6th-7th  The London Event 2012, East Anglia Transport Museum, Carlton Colville, Suffolk
Mark 60 years since London’s last tram and 50 since the trolleybus system was closed by taking a ride on one of the many period vehicles at the Museum.

Midlands

5th-7th  Tug Boat Event, Black Country Living Museum, Dudley, West Midlands
Watch the tug boats manoeuvre their way along the canal and chat to their owners.

North of England

6th  Spring Steaming, Bolton Steam Museum, Bolton, Lancashire
Many of the museum’s steam engines, some of which once drove the cotton mills of Lancashire, will be in operation.

Wales

5th-7th  Blaenau 30, Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways, Harbour Station, Porthmadog
Celebrating 30 years since the Ffestiniog Railway began running into its original starting point again.

Scotland

6th  Diesel Sunday, Caledonian Railway, Brechin, Angus
Take a ride back to 1970s in a heritage carriage or, for an extra fee, the cab with the driver.

• Details correct at time of press – please confirm with event organisers before travelling.

Salute to the ’40s takes place at The Historic Dockyard, Chatham this weekend (September 17th-18th) and offers some of the best entertainment in the business for your listening, singing and dancing pleasure!

So what can you see?

Swingtime Sweethearts - ‘Bless ‘em All’ Variety Show – recalling many of the entertainers who kept up Britain’s spirits through the dark years of the Second World War. The songs, the jokes and the patriotism are all there, lovingly re-created by a talented and enthusiastic cast.

American-inspired entertainment from The Polka Dot Dolls (Sat only) and The Clover Sisters (Sun only).

KAS the Forces Sweetheart – a beautiful vocalist with a wide vocal ability specialising in bringing back the wonderful melodies of the Second World
War era, swing and tribute songs.

Gypsy John and The Cinque Port Lindy Hoppers – sing, Swing, Jive and Lindy Hop with John and his dance troupe.

Fiona Harrison – Now internationally recognised as Britain’s finest professional 1940s singer/entertainer, Fiona will be performing songs which cover the whole spectrum of 40s music, from Big Band and Swing to Lindy Hop and Singalong.

Betty Lloyd and her Frontline Follies – Betty and her girls will be putting on a
great show that includes Lindy Hopping and Jitterbugging.

Three Towns Theatre Company – singing, dancing and monologues with a
South Pacific theme.

London Pearly King and Queens – join the sing-along and feel the good times with the cheeky chaps and their ladies.

Anderson Family – sporadic themed music and dancing across the whole of the site.

Best of British and Vintage Tractor magazines will be at the Newark Vintage Tractor and Heritage Show this weekend. Will you be there?

Going to Pickering for the North Yorkshire Moors Railway’s wonderful Railway in Wartime event this month?

Best of British will have its customary stand position inside the marquee in the Pickering station car park where Editor-in-Chief Ian Beacham will be waiting to strike up a conversation with you. He’ll be at his happiest if you want to chat about the following: interesting stories, the magazine, 1940s events, classic cars, football, cricket and real ale (but please don’t invite him to the pub now he’s begun training for next year’s London Marathon!).

All our back issues and reader offers will be available to purchase at prices that will even excite a Yorkshireman. The new limited edition 2011 Best of British calendar will also be on sale cheaper than normal with no postage costs involved. This will be the place to do your early Christmas shopping!

We’ll be there from first light on Friday, October 15th, through to close of play on Sunday, October 17th. If Ian’s not on duty, he’ll be roaming around taking pictures for the magazine. Remember to smile for his camera!

The Best of British stand - and Editor-in-Chief, Ian Beacham - will be travelling the country in July. You can find him at:

Saturday, July 3rd - 1940s' Weekend - Severn Valley Railway, Bridgnorth Station, Shropshire

Sunday, July 4th - National Service (RAF) Parade and Re-union - RAF Cosford, Shropshire

Wednesday, July 28th - Sandringham Flower Show - Sandringham Estate, Norfolk

There was even more to see at the Newby Hall Rally last weekend.

Last weekend Editor-in-Chief, Ian Beacham, was at North Yorkshire's Newby Hall Rally, near Ripon.

Did you attend the show? Send us your pictures or leave a comment and let us know your favourite exhibit.

There were plenty of animals and traditional sights at the Royal Bath and West Show.

There were plenty of horses in their finery at the Royal Bath and West Show.

It's been a busy few weeks for Best of British. Editor-in-Chief was at the Royal Bath & West Show at the start of June, where our sister title, Vintage Tractor & Countryside Heritage, sponsored the Power of the Past area.

Did you attend the show? Leave a comment and let us know your favourite exhibit.