SAMPFORD Courtenay stepped back in time on Saturday with celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of the end of the second world war. The successful event, organised by the village hall management committee, saw many visitors dressed in costumes to suit the times. The square, closed to through traffic, was brought to life, reflecting the village as it might have been between 1939 and 1945. It was filled with a magnificent assortment of military vehicles and bicycles, plus the luxury of an ice cream seller. Uniformed officers and men from all services jostled with nurses, land army girls, housewives, ARP wardens and even a policeman or two. Inside the church rooms, the ground floor housed a varied exhibition of wartime memorabilia, while upstairs was a display describing rationing. Refreshments were available there, including many wartime recipes, the dripping sandwiches being particularly good! Sideshows and sports events were held on the green and in the evening there was a sell-out Victory Supper in the village hall. More than 100 people sat at long tables, to be served with corned beef hash, hot pot or stewed brisket, followed by a choice of treacle tart, fruit crumble or jelly and blancmange. Katie Wright entertained in the evening by singing a selection of wartime songs. This was followed by a medley of sing-along songs and ?real? dancing to the Blue Lagoon Dance Band. Thanks were expressed to all who contributed so much time and effort to make for a memorable day.
