Welshpool turning back the clock this weekend

Welshpool will be taking a trip back in time this weekend when the town makes its annual switch to the 1940s.

The town will be buzzing with activity from Friday through to Sunday and follows 12 months of solid fund raising and promotional activity by the eight-strong committee, led by local historian Alan Crowe.

A Salute the Forties variety show kicks off the weekend in the Town Hall at 2pm on Friday, followed by a dance at the COWSHACC featuring the Swing Commanders at 8pm.

Seven Stars carpark behind the Town Hall will host a number of vintage and militaria stalls along with a full-size Spitfire aeroplane and other military vehicles on display.

The carpark is closed to public parking after 6pm on Friday.

On Saturday, a parade led by Knighton Silver Band will leave the Royal Oak at 11am escorting the Mayor and the special guests from the television comedy series Allo Allo to the Town Hall.

Later on, a parade of vehicles will head around the town at 2.30pm, before the band will play two 30-minute slots upstairs in the Town Hall.

Broad Street and High Street will be closed from 8am till 6pm both Saturday and Sunday and will feature military and civilian vehicles, working horses, stalls, and the entertainment main stage.

A weapon firing demonstration will take place both days at 2pm. Organisers warn that this is very noisy and anyone with a nervous disposition, vulnerable children or dogs are warned that this will last for approximately six minutes each time.

There will be entertainment in Puzzle square on Saturday from 10.30am.

A Narnia exhibition can be found in New Street Church from 10am Saturday only.

Upstairs in the Town Hall will be stalls, displays and the chance to meet the Allo Allo cast members who will be doing a question and answer session each day at 3pm.

Author Natalie Cummings will be signing copies of her book The Fiddle and will be giving a talk at 1.30pm, again on both days.

Saturday afternoon sees entertainment in the Raven Inn and there will be displays at Raven Square station on both days plus of course train rides.

Saturday evening sees the return of the Ashby Little Big Band and guests in the Town Hall and Bertie Blighty entertaining in the Baytree.

Sunday sees more of the same with more entertainment throughout the town.

A vintage double decker bus will operate an hourly service from the bus station in Church Street Carpark both Saturday and Sunday on the hour every hour from 10am, but not at 1pm. This will call at Raven Square, Andrews Fish Bar, Welshpool Airport and back to the bus station.

Tickets for the Variety Show, Swing Commanders, Blitz Ball available from Welshpool Jewellers, Riffels or online via Welshpool 1940s website, or of course on the door.