Stow Maries Fast Forwards to World War Two

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The fascinating World War One operations at Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome were captured in a well-attended Royal Flying Corps Living History event on Sunday 15 June. Living historians from The Lufberys RFC Living History Group presented as pilots and members of the Armed Forces who would have been based at Stow Maries during the Great War, revealing to visitors young and old what life on a working aerodrome was really like. They were supported by a Royal Naval "Sick Berth", explaining the gruesome wounds suffered by casualties of the conflict, as well as their treatment.

With that event successfully completed, it’s now action stations at the accredited Museum to transform it into its World War Two incarnation, ready for this weekend’s Back to the WW2 Farm events on June 21 and 22. The weekend, supporting the exhibition Feeding the Nation: Fighting Without Flying, takes the Museum on a rare foray into WW2 – when the site had reverted to its role as Flambirds Farm.

As part of the transformation, the Pilot’s Ready Room building, usually a hive of military activity, will return to its wartime role as a farm worker’s home. The site will be bustling with living historians presenting as members of the Women's Land Army, the Women's Volunteer Service and the County War Agricultural Executive Committee of Essex, alongside vintage tractors and farm machinery from Maldon District Vintage Machinery Club and fascinating historical vehicles from The Heritage Military Vehicles Association.

Additional excitement will be provided, weather permitting, by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. On the Saturday the skies above the Aerodrome will be welcoming the iconic Supermarine Spitfire, while the Sunday will see the awesome Avro Lancaster flying low over the airstrip. Meanwhile, on the ground, local historian and author Stephen Nunn will also be presenting an illustrated talk based on the book Maldon, the Dengie & Battles in the Skies (1939-1945).

Included in the standard admission (Saturday only) are drop-in family activities. From 11am to 1pm, youngsters can have a go at making 1940s strawberry compote and WW2 biscuits, while from 2-3pm they can “dig for victory” in our period vegetable garden, identifying the vegetables in the ground, making vegetable lollipops and corn dollies and working with our cress tray. No need to book, just turn up at 11am or 2pm to have some agricultural-themed family fun!

Ian Flint, Chief Executive Officer of Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome, comments: “As a WW1 aerodrome we seldom venture forward in time, but in this 80th anniversary of the end of WW2 in Europe, we are taking the opportunity to celebrate the vital role that Stow played during this period. With Britain facing the risk of starvation, those who worked on the land battled to put food on the table, and these authentic living history events capture the heart of our vital wartime service both as an Aerodrome and later as a farm.”

Back to the WW2 Farm and all the activities costs standard admission (£12 for adults, £9 concessions, 0-5 free, £37 2+2 family ticket) and visitors who buy an advance ticket for Saturday 21 June receive free admission for Sunday 22 June. If you wish to attend in WW2 period attire email info@stowmaries.org.uk to qualify for reduced admission! Please note there is no free entry to The Airmen’s Mess café during these events.