Last Saturday saw a large jolly group of travellers’ board a coach at the Phoenix Club on a journey back in time to the 1940s and Grassington, home of Darrowby in the All Creatures Great and Small set of the popular series featuring the vet from the series James Herriot.
The actual journey took almost two hours through the beautiful countryside and the up and down route, which we took. When the thick morning mist finally cleared, to reveal the fantastic views Yorkshire is famous for and passing through Pateley Bridge, the sun came out to welcome us to sunny Yorkshire.
As we arrived at Grassington we were greeted with a population dressed in an array of 1940s wartime clothing and a very warm welcome from men and women dressed in uniforms from the era and a background of songs and music to put us in the mood, the whole village was swinging along to Glenn Miller and Vera Lynn.
Of course, after a quick rest stop, it was time for a mid-morning cuppa and we ventured to the village hall where a cup of tea and a biscuit were on sale at near wartime prices. The experience of walking through the jostling throng of people in the marketplace was amazing and a testimony to the organisers who provided the 1940s music and entertainment. Just a few of the acts were the Rum and Cola Girls, Paul and Mellissa Harper, The Blondies, Jeep Johnson, The Alka Seltzer Sisters and Mick Hull, all of whom were singing 40s tunes which had all of our group foot tapping and singing along.
Add to this a display of vintage vehicles and a full-sized spitfire in the market square, together with vintage market stalls, we encountered The Yorkshire Volunteers Corps of Drums resplendent in their bright red uniforms marching through the village. Shops stalls and pubs kept us busy all day and all too soon it was time to return home. The main comment from those who joined us was ‘can we come again next year?’ and, of course, I must agree.
Another fantastic adventure made perfect by the lovely people who accompanied us. Thank you all.
On behalf of ACORN Community Association
Ken and Elaine Robson
