WWII Whit, 1940's Fete Re-Creation & Tea Dance

The Whitsun Re-Creation of WWII Life

We present everyday life at Kentwell during WWII at a time before the Hall was requisitioned. Then Mr & Mrs Starkie Bence  then owners of Kentwell) were living at the Hall with some staff and were suffering the same shortages and hardships as everyone else.

Mr & Mrs Bence are shown assisting the War Effort in two ways: allowing the Hall's grounds to be used for the local Home Guard's manoeuvres; secondly, raising funds for the war effort.

Fundraising

The Fete

Raising money to help pay for the war was very important. There was the Spitfire Fund, Warships Week, Salute and other trendy names to encourage this. Mrs Bence concentrates her efforts in this way.  You can change your money for 'old pence' and spend your 'pennies' at the various stalls and sideshows. All monies raised from the Fete will be

donated to a Services related charity.

The Tea Dance

Another way of raising funds then.  Dancing was very popular.  Waltz, foxtrot etc everyone could do and the new fangled jiving was enjoyed by the young.

The Home Guard

A section of the Home Guard will be in evidence training and practising drills.  Early in the War the Home Guard struggled for weapons and equipment, augmented by the generosity of locals. So the Kentwell section is equipped with a light armoured car which, thanks to the ingenuity of the local smith, has been adapted from a Bulnose Morris.  Exercises were rarely taxing. One diarist of the time recorded finding that on an exercise one member had left a Note pinned to a tree: "I was mortally wounded so have gone home for tea." We try to capture that spirit.

Army

We usually have a small military presence at Kentwell to assist the Home Guard with their training.

Others

There are usually several Civilians, perhaps some Evacuees from London (Kentwell in fact housed evacuees during the early part of the War), a School Mistress, Farm Workers, WVS and, perhaps, an officious ARP Warden.

The Kitchen becomes a 1940's kitchen producing much from very little making use of produce from the Garden. Some foods were almost unobtainable and highly-prized, such as meat, bananas and oranges. Hence these items form the Fete prizes.

Barrel Organs

This weekend we have a small contingent of barrel organs enthusiasts.  Quite a common sight in those days but relatively rare today.

Morris Dancers

East Suffolk Morris Men have been coming to Kentwell as part of their Whit Monday tour every Whit Weekend for more than 30 years.  We delight in welcoming back again on Moday afternoon.

There are no concessions this weekend for HHA Members