Monday 18 June 2018

Wartime Weekend

This weekend was Wartime Weekend at Lotherton. One of the great things about our annual pass for Lotherton is that most of the theme days and events they host are included in the price. We pay just £28.80 for a joint membership as Mick has a Leeds Card, which in itself costs £10 but gives us discounts and offers in and around Leeds. Without the Leeds Card it would cost £36, which is still a good deal considering how many times we visit throughout the year. If we were paying on the gate it would cost us £5.50 each, or £4.20 each with a Leeds Card, every visit.

Anyway back to this weekend. We were told to bring our dancing shoes as there would be vintage singers and military reenactors to take us back to the 1940s. We were forecast thunder storms on Saturday so we decided we'd go on Sunday. As it happened, the thunder storm consisted of one heavy downpour and one clap of thunder late on in the day. Sunday was rather dull but at least it stayed dry. Unfortunately, there weren't any vintage singers on the Sunday, I wonder if they'd been there on Saturday, but there was someone playing prerecorded wartime songs and plenty of people were having a dance.


There were many people sat on the grass enjoying a picnic and although I never join in with a theme it's nice to see that others make an effort, they looked really good dressed in vintage clothes and with the hairstyles of the day.

After stopping for a while to listen to the tunes and watch the dancing, we crossed to a nearby field where the military reenactors had set up.


There were various displays which showcased the uniforms, equipment and weapons from around the world.






I wonder how many of the troops watched this.


It wasn't a huge event but enjoyable to take a look at before our usual wander around the grounds with Archie. As we passed through the orchard we saw that the grass has been allowed to grow and the area is full of buttercups.


I don't know why this little hedgehog was out, they're nocturnal animals and usually sleep during the day.


It was nice to see so many families enjoying the entertainment and it added a little something extra to our walk.

32 comments:

  1. It looks like a nice day out, it's good to keep this history alive for today's children i think.
    A hedgehog out in the daytime usually means they are not very well, hope this little chap survived.

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    1. There was a lovely family atmosphere about the place and with it being Father's Day too, it was a nice day out with children. I thought that about the hedgehog myself, I hope he was okay, poor little thing.

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  2. Nice to have extra's on your walk. The buttercup orchard looks wonderful.

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    1. It was nice to have a little something going on when we went for our walk. It's nice when grass is left uncut, the orchard looked so pretty with all the buttercups.

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  3. An enjoyable post and good pictures. Events like this are popular and well worth a visit.
    Lucky you seeing a hedgehog, I just hope that it was okay. xx

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    1. There were plenty of people at Lotherton on Sunday, it was nice that the weather was fine so that they could enjoy their picnics. I hope the hedgehog was okay too.

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  4. Have seen such events, elsewhere in Blog Land. What delightful things they are.

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    1. It seemed quite popular, there were plenty of people there and we found it quite interesting and entertaining too.

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  5. It sounds like a lovely day out and fortunate you avoided the rain. I've never been to an event like this before but it looks fun. I think I'd quite like the dressing up part, although I wouldn't know where to start. X

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    1. I always feel so sorry for the organisers of events like this when it rains on the day so it was good that it remained dry on Sunday. I wish I had the confidence to dress up and join in, those who did looked to be having a great time.

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  6. What a lovely event, I know it was a very difficult period of time but the uniforms and feminine dress of that era are rather lovely.

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    1. I think we do tend to look back on this period in time with rose tinted glasses, they certainly had it hard but you're right, it was the period of glamour too.

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  7. This sounds like a wonderful day out!

    I must admit I've seen a hedgehog out during the day time when I was sat out in the garden once. I do usually seem them in the evenings though.

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    1. It was something a bit different and it was lovely to see so many people enjoying themselves. I hope this little hedgehog was okay, he was only little.

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  8. I do feel that UK has a lot more to offer on weekends other than sport like here throughout most of the year.
    The wartime era, quite fascinates me, so I'd find it interesting & without huge crowds, which I don't cope with well, the smaller size would be great. Thanks for sharing, have a good week & take care.

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    1. Lotherton does quite well for events like this, they have a programme throughout the year and with us having our annual passes, we can just bob in for an hour to see what's going on. This was a nice event and as you say, no huge crowds.

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  9. I would have thoroughly enjoyed seeing the wartime setups - I'm not much one for dressing up either, but do enjoy seeing others in period costume.

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    1. I enjoyed watching the dancing and especially as most of those involved were dressed up, it just added to the occasion.

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  10. That looks great fun and very colourful. Especially good as it was all free to you too.

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    1. We certainly get our money's worth from our annual passes, they're well worth having.

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  11. Other areas could do with having a card like your Leeds cards to help them able to visit places that might not be affordable otherwise. It does look like a great event.

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    1. The Leeds Card gives us discounts on all sorts of things including theatre visits too, definitely worth having.

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  12. Oh, I love this! So beautifully recreated. Dancing on the lawn must have been such fun.
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. I loved watching the dancing, there were some really good movers, and they looked so good in their period dress too.

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  13. This does look like fun, loved the outfits! Certainly an interesting day out. Oh, poor hedgie, it shouldn't be out during the day so must have had something wrong with it.xxx

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    1. It was good that so many people got involved and dressed up for the occasion, they looked fabulous. It was only a little hedgehog, poor thing, I do hope it was okay.

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  14. It looks a great event, I enjoyed seeing your photographs.

    All the best Jan

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    1. We enjoyed it and it was nice to see so many people making the most of the entertainment.

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  15. You certainly get great value for money with your membership.
    The event looked really interesting, something I would have enjoyed going along to.
    Lisa x

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    1. The annual pass is well worth the money, we visit Lotherton so many times throughout the year that cost would be prohibitive without it. I did think you'd enjoy the Wartime Weekend, especially the music and dancing.

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  16. Wow, what a wonderful place. Stunning scenery!
    Kukdeep Dogra

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