WEST Somerset will turn back the clock nearly 80 years next month when thousands of nostalgia enthusiasts are expected to flock to the area’s second Forties Weekend, which is already predicted to exceed last year’s triumph.

Due to take place on Saturday and Sunday September 14 and 15 with extra events on Friday September 13, the weekend, centred around Watchet, Minehead and the West Somerset Railway, has already attracted more participants than last year.

“Last year’s weekend exceeded our expectations but all the signs are that this year’s could be even better,” said organiser Robin Wichard, former West Somerset College history teacher, who dreamed up the original event.

More than 350 re-enactment groups and local people in 40s-style clothes will bring alive the ‘Dad’s Army’ decade with dramatic recreations of air raids, field hospitals, an RAF airfield, military garrisons and an authentic operational military train.

“People have told us that last year’s was the best nostalgia event they had ever attended and they would be back this year,” Robin said.

“They even arranged their holidays to be in West Somerset next month.

“We have once again had tremendous support. West Somerset Railway now regard it as one of their flagship events.

“The one thing we can’t control is the weather, but we have a lot of indoor attractions if it rains.”

More pictures from last year’s event are in this week’s Free Press (August 9)