THE ‘Dad’s Army’ decade burst back to life on Saturday and Sunday (September 12 and 13) as an eight-decade time-warp saw thousands of nostalgia buffs flock to the annual West Somerset Railway (WSR) Forties Weekend, hailed as one of the best in the event’s eight-year history.

Organiser Robin Wichard, who came up with the idea in 2018, said: “The volunteers at all the stations along the line once again excelled themselves to make it a truly memorable event.

“There was a great feeling of nostalgia and a lot of people said it was a success beyond their expectations.”

A couple of WAAFs (Women's Auxiliary Air Force) attending the 1940s weekend in Watchet. PHOTO: George Ody.Awaiting the next train to arrive at Washford Station during the annual Forties weekend festivities . PHOTO: Tim Wetherell.Stations along the West Somerset Railway line each organised events for the annual Forties weekend. PHOTO: Andrew Grabham.Recreating a wartime 1940s atmosphere in Watchet for the annual weekend event. PHOTO: George Ody.United States MPs talk to station staff in Stogumber during the 1940s weekend. PHOTO: Tim Wetherell.Watchet Station was a focal point for the town's nostalgic celebrations during a Forties weekend. PHOTO: George Ody.Music to dance to from South Molton-based Fine Whines vintage jazz band during West Somerset's 1940s weekend. PHOTO: George Ody.Watchet Esplanade saw the return of 1940s wartime years for a weekend of nostalgia. PHOTO: George Ody. Some the locals who brought the 1940s back to life on the West Somerset Railway line for a weekend. PHOTO: Tim Wetherell.On a bicycle made for two in Stogumber as locals and visitors enjoyed a weekend of 1940s nostalgia. PHOTO: Andrew Grabham.Hundreds dressed in period outfits for authenticity as West Somerset celebrated the 1940s years. PHOTO: George Ody.'Prime Minister Winston Churchill' gave West Somerset his famous wartime 'V for victory' sign during a weekend of Forties fun. PHOTO: George Ody.Some of the Stogumber volunteers who helped organise a weekend of 1940s nostalgia. PHOTO: Andrew Grabham.

A couple of WAAFs (Women's Auxiliary Air Force) attending the 1940s weekend in Watchet. PHOTO: George Ody.

Awaiting the next train to arrive at Washford Station during the annual Forties weekend festivities . PHOTO: Tim Wetherell.

Stations along the West Somerset Railway line each organised events for the annual Forties weekend. PHOTO: Andrew Grabham.

Recreating a wartime 1940s atmosphere in Watchet for the annual weekend event. PHOTO: George Ody.

United States MPs talk to station staff in Stogumber during the 1940s weekend. PHOTO: Tim Wetherell.

Watchet Station was a focal point for the town's nostalgic celebrations during a Forties weekend. PHOTO: George Ody.

Music to dance to from South Molton-based Fine Whines vintage jazz band during West Somerset's 1940s weekend. PHOTO: George Ody.

Watchet Esplanade saw the return of 1940s wartime years for a weekend of nostalgia. PHOTO: George Ody.

Some the locals who brought the 1940s back to life on the West Somerset Railway line for a weekend. PHOTO: Tim Wetherell.

On a bicycle made for two in Stogumber as locals and visitors enjoyed a weekend of 1940s nostalgia. PHOTO: Andrew Grabham.

Hundreds dressed in period outfits for authenticity as West Somerset celebrated the 1940s years. PHOTO: George Ody.

'Prime Minister Winston Churchill' gave West Somerset his famous wartime 'V for victory' sign during a weekend of Forties fun. PHOTO: George Ody.

Some of the Stogumber volunteers who helped organise a weekend of 1940s nostalgia. PHOTO: Andrew Grabham.

Centred around all eight WSR stations, the feast of nostalgia saw hundreds of enthusiasts in period uniforms, supported by visitors and locals to create a stunning 1940s atmosphere.

Mr Wichard said: “The weekend is a celebration of all that was achieved in the 1940s, from music and fashion to things like make-do and mend.

“It also gives everybody a chance to let their hair down and enjoy themselves.”

Crowcombe Station was nostalgically decorated and entertainment included the John Walker Singers and displays of memorabilia and vintage cars.

Attractions at Stogumber ranged from popular vocalists Blitz Time Sally and Chrystal Bliss to a wartime shop and an unexploded bomb.

Jones the butcher shows off old tools on Crowcombe Heathfield Station for a 1940s weekend. PHOTO: Tim Wetherell.
‘Jones the butcher’ shows off old tools on Crowcombe Heathfield Station for a 1940s weekend. PHOTO: Tim Wetherell. (Tim Wetherell)

Williton staged displays on the wartime children, air raid warnings, and classic vehicles.

Watchet hosted live performances, while the town’s 1940s Home Front Group staged non-stop music, markets, and period displays.

Washford’s waiting room was turned into a 40s tea room with 'tea ladies' dressed for the part.

Visitors to Blue Anchor enjoyed Pashy Pops singing duo and Home Front displays, while attractions at Dunster included an exhibition of rural life of the forties.

A highlight of Minehead’s weekend was the Saturday night dance when 200 dancers high-stepped the night away to the music of the Deane Big Band and the Humming Birds.