It’s all change for Island at War this year with the main activities taking place at Laxey and Castletown.
Everyone is encouraged to enter into the fun by dressing up in forties style to take the train or tram and be part of this year’s wartime effort.
Isle of Man Railways are preparing for guest appearances by Sir Winston Churchill to give some of his epic speeches plus looking forward to transporting 70 veterans to Castletown on a special steam train. There is a busy programme of exhibitions, military vehicle displays and war games for children from Friday and continuing throughout the weekend (19-21 August).
There’s also a special Dining Car wartime Sunday lunch evacuee train departing at 1pm on 21 August 2016. Tickets are ?30 per person, children under 12 eat free. Book in advance on 697457 or email Steamdining@gov.im.
Plus for the first time, Snaefell summit will play host to two Evenings at War sing-along suppers featuring Winston Churchill and the Fabulous D-Day Darlings.
Tickets for the wartime supper and sing-along on either Friday or Saturday can be booked online at www.rail.im or at the Welcome Centre tel 662525. Tickets are ?35 per person including supper, entertainment and tram travel from Douglas or Laxey.
Friday 19 August 2016
The event kicks off at Laxey Station on Friday with a display of military vehicles from the Military Vehicle Trust Cumbria branch joining local exhibits.
Staff from the Military Vehicle Trust will be posted at Laxey Station with local Explorer Scouts displaying war time scouting skills and manning the field hospital. The Manx Electric Railway’s mail sorting tender will host a letter sorting competition for children as well as having commemorative stamp covers on sale.
There’s free admission to the marquee at Laxey station where you can visit Michael Starkey and Les Clarke with a wartime memorabilia exhibition. Amanda Harvey will be carrying out knitting exhibitions and Les Harvey will demonstate Scroll Sawing. There will be free colouring sheets for the children. The station cafe will be entering into the fun a wartime theme for staff selling snacks.
Meanwhile at Snaefell Summit there’s a letter boxing activity with the scouts and a crashed Spitfire to view on the ascent to the summit by mountain tram.
The Fabulous D-Day Darlings will be singing live at Laxey Station between 12.30pm and 3.30pm with a special guest appearance by Sir Winston Churchill. At other times local entertainers will take to the stage.
The first wartime supper and sing-along takes place at Snaefell with trams departing Douglas at 18:40. Tickets in advance from www.rail.im or tel 662525.
Saturday 20 August 2016
There’s a second chance to enjoy to the wartime activities and displays at Laxey on Saturday with entertainment throughout the day by the Island’s Southern Belles.
But the focus moves to Castletown on Saturday with a full programme stretching from the steam station to the town square. Tibi Hair and Beauty will be offering a hair-raid shelter in a vintage bus at the station – charging just ?5 to have your hair dressed in forties style.
The Manx Craft Guild and WI will set up their wartime wares in a large marquee next to the station. Refreshments will be provided by the perennially popular Scouts cakes and drinks stall. The Scouts will also be organising a Chinese whispers game for children plus demonstrating wartime scouting skills at the station.
Isle of Man Railways are honoured that 70 of the Island’s veterans will take a special steam train from Douglas to Castletown, arriving at our ancient capital at midday. Many will be transported by the Military Vehicle Trust (Cumbria section) to Castletown Square for an invitation only tea party at the Civic Centre.
Local musicians will sing them in at the station while the Fabulous D-Day Darlings will sing live on stage to welcome the veterans at Castletown Square. Parking will be suspended so visitors are advised it’s best to go by public transport. Steam train departures from Douglas are at 0950, 1120, 1250, and 1430. From Port Erin steam trains depart at 1000, 1130, 1300 and 1445.
In Castletown Square vehicles from the period including a traction engine, steam lorry, steam car and charabanc will add to the atmosphere.
Don’t forget to book for the Snaefell wartime supper and sing-along. Tickets in advance from www.rail.im or tel 662525.
Sunday 21 August 2016
All Saturday’s programme except the veterans’ train will be continued on the Sunday in Castletown.
But the big finale on Sunday will be a motorcade of military vehicles headed by the tank-like Abbot self-propelled military artillery piece. They will depart Castletown Station at 1345.
The Fabulous D-Day Darlings will be performing at the square and station supported by Roc Vannin choir and Sir Winston Churchill will give speeches at intervals during the day.
Cast members from Peel Centenary Centre’s production of ‘Allo ‘Allo will contribute to the wartime ambiance.
Meanwhile the Dining Car Wartime Sunday lunch evacuee train will depart Douglas at 1pm. Bookings tel. 697457 or email Steamdining@gov.im.
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