Skip to content

Fears for 1940s day future over lack of volunteers

News imageRochdale Council A lady in 1940s-style dress, apron and headgear waves as she sits in a mitliary jeep in a parade. Spectators line up on the pavement to watch.Rochdale Council
Community groups and armed forces take part in the Heywood parade

A popular event inspired the "community spirit" of World War Two may be cancelled if organisers cannot find more volunteers.

Heywood 1940s Day, which displays replica warplanes and has a parade, attracts about 10,000 visitors every summer in Rochdale, Greater Manchester.

Allison Bamford, chair of the organisers Heywood Business Group, said "every year it's got bigger and bigger" but some previous volunteers have had to step back due to age.

She said they need to recruit at least 10 volunteers by Wednesday, adding: "If we don't get any volunteers, we will have to cancel."

She told BBC Radio Manchester the event was "not necessarily about the war, it's about the community spirit that generated during the war".

The event sees many dress up in 1940s fashion, with live music, food, drink and fairground rides among the attractions on the day.

News imageRochdale Council About 15 schoolchildren in 1940s outfits line up with their teacher in front of an old double-decker where the passenger entrance is at the back. The blue and white bus says Heywood on the destination sign.Rochdale Council
Schoolchildren dress up and learn about the evacuation process

Volunteers are needed to set up stalls, arrange the street party and be road marshalls.

"We need people that say, 'I will do it and actually turn up'," Ms Bamford said.

News imageRochdale Council Overhead drone view of two wartime plane replicas as people gather around to look at them. An old military vehicle appears on the side.Rochdale Council
A replica Hurricane and Spitfire have been a popular attraction for visitors

The event also teaches local schoolchildren about life as an evacuee with enactments of wartime journeys on the East Lancashire steam railway.

"They get off at Ramsbottom, which is a couple of stops up the line, and as they get off they re-enact the parents selecting them."

She added: "The whole day is really exciting and the feel of the day when you're there is just so lovely because people come out every year."

Rochdale Councillor Angela Brown said the authority was "committed to funding the event", but an influx of new volunteers was "vital" for it to go ahead.

"We know other organisations are struggling to find volunteers too, it's not easy, however this really is a fantastic event to be part of and it brings such a lot to Heywood, so if you think you could help, please get in touch," she said.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram, and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.