The North Norfolk Railway's 1940s weekend got off to an early start at Sheringham on Friday, with events including a beer festival, a wartime-style coffee morning and a pop-up vintage shop opening for business, and people dressed in 1940s costumes strolling up and down the high street to the delight of visitors and locals alike.
Outside St Peter's Church, husband and wife singing duo Jeff and Sue Short entertained passers-by with songs from wartime stars including Vera Lynn and Doris Day, while, at Oddfellows Hall, Jeannie Read ran a 'Colour Me Vintage' pop-up shop selling wartime garb ranging from military uniforms, to hats, bags and dresses.
Mrs Read, who buys original 1940s gear from local sales, and while visiting family in Australia and France, said unusual items had included a Gendarme's cap and French airmen's uniforms.
'Hats are definitely the most popular,' she added. 'But I get people coming in who need advice on what suits them and they often go out dressed top to tail in 1940s clothes.'
Stephen and Kathryn Meadwell, from Oakham, near Rutland, who booked a week's holiday to coincide with the festival, spent Friday wandering around the town and seafront.
'We just love it,' Mr Meadwell said. 'Sheringham is just the perfect setting for the weekend, with the railway at one end of the town, and the sea at the other, it's fantastic.'
At Holt, 1940s weekend committee chairman Duncan Baker, who is a director of Bakers and Larners department store, said the town had lined up an 'incredible' programme of events, with attractions ranging from a pigeon race and a ration book trail, to a series of performances from Britain's Got Talent finalists The D-Day Darlings.
'It will be absolutely brilliant,' he added. 'Because of the link with the North Norfolk Railway, it gives people a great opportunity to travel between Holt and Sheringham and experience what is happening in both towns.'
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