Haworth 1940s Weekend Part I

One rainy Saturday morning in the middle of May 2013, we headed off to Haworth for their 1940s weekend festival. The town was full of people in vintage clothes and vintage vehicles. Stores had big sales, ration cards, and special themes. We had a great time exploring.

Our first task was to park the car. We followed signs which put us on top of the hill overlooking Haworth. A quick walk down a path and we were in the heart of the action. J saw a camouflage suit and posed with it.

Now entering Haworth!

Nearby was a "field hospital" where a fund raiser was being held. For one pound, we were able to pluck four feathers from a duck. If any of the feathers (folded up tissues) had a prize ticket in them, we would have won something. Unluckily, we won nothing. On the other hand, we didn't have to carry around a prize all day, either.

Field hospital featuring feather-otomies (or is it feather-ectomies?)

J and the Plucked Duck

Further into town we spotted our first vintage car. The rain was starting in earnest so we sought shelter in a shop.

Vintage car with the top up

Vintage chemists with lots of business

We didn't find any must buys, so we headed back out into the rain. We decided to get a snack at one of the local shops. The first place had no room for us, but down a small path was a restaurant that had a Soviet makeover. We found a table right away and comrade owner was soon taking our order. He even shared his hat with J and L!

Comrade J

Comrade L

It was a bit ironic that we were Americans in a commie cafe, but during WWII we were allies. We had some biscuits and scones and tea and then headed out for more adventures.

The street was starting to fill up, so we headed up to see the church, which was right next to the Bronte Parsonage Museum and a hall that was the school where Charlotte Bronte taught. The Bronte Museum had a line out the door, so we didn't go in. Even without a crowd, the children might be bored with the museum. The school building was being used for a fashion sale and tea room. It had an entry fee, so we didn't go in there either.

Teeming street with the church overlooking it

Bronte Parsonage Museum

The Old School Room

That sign between the two windows

Around the corner from the school building we discovered "RAF Haworth," a large square with plenty of activities and things to see.

Fighter plane from back in the day

Other side of the plane with me

Woodworker display

Old Army jeeps

The plaza also had a small covered stage where performances happened throughout the day. Winston Churchill gave a speech along with General Dwight D. Eisenhower (who had a dodgy American accent) while we were there. Later, some dancers were performing.

"Winston Churchill" delivers an important speech

Swing dancing dames!

Merchants were selling food and trinkets, too. We came back later to the candy stand so L could get a yard of apple candy in a Twizzler-like tube. Other displays were showing how to divvy up your sheep when the time comes.

Proper cuts of the sheep

This lamb made us hungry, so we sought out some food. One of the pubs on Main Street had an open table inside. We snagged it as fast as we could. They had a WWII-themed menu from which I ordered. I had a pint of Nakayama Red Beer (named after the Japanese, not the Commies!) and a pork pie with "proper mushy peas." The peas were almost soup-like and definitely dominated the dish. They were also the very best mushy peas I've had, so I won't complain.

A good lunch for a cold day

Inside the bar

Outside the bar

After lunch we headed down the hill for more adventures, hoping to end at the afternoon tea dance featuring swing music. That will be in the next post!