RAF Harrowbeer 1940s Weekend 2018

The RAF Harrowbeer 1940s Weekend took place over the weekend of the 11th & 12th August 2018. Sadly, this coincided with the wettest weekend of the entire summer, which resulted in us having to cancel the whole of Sunday.

This was bitterly disappointing, especially after the long warm days of June and July, which had meant weeks and weeks of no rain.

Yelverton Shops:
We challenged the Shops at Yelverton to go ‘All 1940s’ and dress their premises in a 1940s theme. We then awarded the best one with the ‘RAF Harrowbeer Memorial Trophy’ for the best dressed shop or business. The 2018 Winner was ‘The Game Larder’. We also awarded ‘Beau’ at Leg O’Mutton with a ‘Highly Commended’ award as although the shops there were not included in the original challenge, Beau, March Hair, Dartmoor Bakery and Rockin Bikes all had a go anyway, and we felt their efforts should be rewarded!

Organised by the RAF Harrowbeer Interest Group, (HIG) the 1940s Weekend was centred around the Dispersal Bay restored by the HIG, at Axtown, Yelverton. Entry and parking are both free.

Although we had a to close the show site on Sunday, Saturday attractions included the full-size replica Spitfire MkIX, with working Rolls Royce Merlin engine, WWII re-enactors and living history displays, Tavistock Model Flying Club displays, vintage farm and garden machinery displays , military and vintage vehicles, classic motorbikes and cars, stalls selling vintage items and memorabilia, plus lots of other displays and exhibits. The Royal Oak, Meavy, provided a bar selling local beers. There was a hog roast, fish & chips, burgers & hot dogs, jacket potatoes, Greek style wraps, plus plenty of tea and coffee from the ‘NAAFI’ tent served by Buckland Monachorum Drama Group. Musical entertainment was provided by “Mood Swings” with Bernard Stewart.

The HIG will had their Airfield photographs on display and the Air-Raid Shelter Museum was open during the afternoon. The Robey Trust gave trips around the Airfield and there were regular guided mini-bus tours of the Airfield, provided by Tavistock Ring & Ride.

Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
The BBMF Spitfire flypast on Saturday and Sunday was cancelled due to bad weather.

Vintage Aircraft Flypast
A flypast by a variety of vintage aircraft was also cancelled.