This year’s 1940s event will be even bigger, with funding from Boston Big Local secured.
Daa-da-da Da-da-da-da-da… name that tune? The famous film, with its equally-famous soundtrack, recounting the heroics of the Dam Busters is to be shown at the open air cinema in Central Park, Boston, as a 1940s weekend tribute to the Lincolnshire-based bomber squadron.
Operation Chastise was carried out by the specially-formed Dam Busters 617 squadron of 19 Lancaster bombers, flying out of RAF Scampton on the night of May 1943, to destroy strategically-important dams in the industrial Ruhr valley in Germany using specially-developed bouncing bombs.
The dams and surrounding target area housed two hydroelectric power stations and facilities crucial to the German war effort. Main characters in the film, made in the 1950s, are Barnes Wallis, the genius who developed the bouncing bombs needed to enable a low-level over-the-water attack which could also skip over protective anti-torpedo nets, and Wing Commander Guy Gibson, who led the attack.
The heroes included Guy Gibson, who took his aircraft round a second time at just 60 feet to draw enemy fire and lived to tell the tale, and the 53 aircrew who gave their lives. Of the 19 Lancasters which went, eight were shot down. The perilous mission was a success with two dams breached.
The Operations Room for the mission was at 5 Group Headquarters in St Vincents Hall, Grantham.
The Dam Busters will be shown in Central Park on Saturday, June 22, gates open from 3pm and the film starts at 4pm.
As part of the 1940s weekend celebrations, also showing will be Disney’s original Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. On release the first Disney full-length animated film blew audiences away. Walt Disney received an Oscar for the film – in fact eight Oscars; one normal sized one and seven dwarf-sized ones presented by child star Shirley Temple. The film includes such musical classics as “Heigh-Ho” and “Whistle While You Work”.
This film will be shown in Central Park on Friday, June 21, gates open at 5pm, film starts at 6.15pm.
Tickets for both films are available at www.visitbostonuk.com Early bird tickets are already on sale, so grab yours today.
On Saturday, June 22, there will be live music and entertainment in the Market Place from 11am to 3pm. Pop along and browse the market while enjoying the sounds of the ‘40s, funded by Boston Big Local.
An afternoon tea party with an American twist will be held from noon to 2pm at Boston Guildhall. Tickets for this can be booked at guildhall@boston.gov.uk £17.95 adults, £12.95 children.
Finally, ending the Saturday’s entertainment, will be a ‘40s dance. DJ Dance will host Jive Amour from Boston Dance and Miss Sarah Jane. A night of dance and music – no partners needed. Tickets £8 or £10 on the door. Tickets are available from Boston Dance on 07737 064 128 or The White Hart on 01205 311900.
Sunday, June 23, will see the return of live music and entertainment in Central Park from 10am, featuring a vintage fair, afternoon tea parlours, live performances from Dream Belles, Sarah Jane, Kirton Brass Band, Coningsby Military Wives Choir and much more plus vintage cars, tractors and engines, re-enactments and vintage trade stalls. A flypast will be confirmed nearer the date. All of this is available for free due to funding from Boston Big Local.
More information on the whole weekend can be found at www.visitbostonuk.com or visit the Visit Boston UK Facebook page.
