Dambusters for 40s Day at Valley Gardens in Harrogate

The Dambusters are coming to this year's hugely popular 40s Day at the Valley Gardens in Harrogate in a celebration of the spirit of the 1940s.
By The Newsroom
Published 27th May 2016, 10:20 BST
Updated 27th May 2016, 15:33 BST
One of the last remaining RAF Lancaster Bombers.One of the last remaining RAF Lancaster Bombers.
One of the last remaining RAF Lancaster Bombers.

As many as 30,000 people, many dressed in vintage outfits, are expected to watch a Spitfire and Hurricane of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight on Sunday, June 19 fly over the Valley Gardens and the 617 Squadron will return with a Dambusters’ display. The display will be accompanied by cadets from Ripon and Knaresborough, and Harrogate Lions, will be on site giving volunteer assistance throughout the day.The 609 Squadron recruitment tent will be on site and military vehicles, displays and vintage cars will also be present.Organised by the Friends of the Valley Gardens, the day will start with the March of the Evacuees from the main entrance led by the Knaresborough Silver Band and the deputy mayor and consort Coun Christine and Mr Chris Ryder.Children’s activities are extended this year to include more children’s games, Hook a Duck, Find the Treasure and Guess the Name of the Teddy Bear.Organised by local school children, there will also be a climbing tower, bouncy castle and the ever-popular Owl Encounters.Stall Holders, many returning to 40s Day in Harrogate, have filled the Sun Pavilion and surrounding area.Harrogate Photographic Society will be displaying some excellent of 40s Day 2015 photographs on the apron of the Sun Pavilion.Similarly sited is the Harrogate Mumblers’ Tombola and next to that the FOVG Cake Stall. Amanda and Hales Bar staff will supply drinks throughout the day.Three CGC Events catering vans will be on site with a tempting variety of hot food.There will also be a Friends Of Valley Gardens, Information Tent promoting the Green Park Entrance Project with a Magnum of Champagne to win and a tent organized in conjunction with HBC, where the publix can take part in a consultation on the Japanese Garden Project.The popular Echo42 Band lead by Paul Mayo and vocalist Maria Manchester return. Major Swing will compare the event he and Kitty will keep you swinging along throughout the day.The proceeds of the event are to be used for the 2016 Friends Of Valley Gardens projects, including the restoration and extension of the Japanese Garden and the Restoration of the Green Park Entrance with the addition of the reclaimed Edward VIIth Memorial Gates, previously sited on Kings Road.The Old Magnesia Well Pump Room in the Valley Gardens, was completed and opened in October 2015 by Malcolm Neesam Harrogate Historian and Freeman of the Borough of Harrogate, the funding came from the community, many hours of volunteer time, grants, donations and gifts in kind.The building is now an Information and Education Centre, where visitors can read the history of Spa Harrogate and the development of the Valley Gardens.

Related topics:Spitfire