RAF Harrowbeer 75th Anniversary celebrations

RAF Harrowbeer, the former WWII airfield at Yelverton, celebrated its 75th Anniversary on the 13th & 14th August, 2016 in fine style, by hosting another of the popular 1940s Weekends organised by the RAF Harrowbeer Interest Group, (HIG).  This year’s event started with a Service of Remembrance in front of the Airfield’s memorial stone by Knightstone Tea Rooms, with ATC Cadets and WWII Re-enactors placing 62 crosses to commemorate all those who lost their lives whilst serving at Harrowbeer in WWII.

Damp weather on the Saturday morning gave way to glorious sunshine for the rest of the weekend and large crowds came out to enjoy the many attractions. The Merlin engine in the full-size replica of a MK IX Spitfire, roared into life every hour and with Tavistock Model Flying Club displays, vintage farm and garden machinery, military and vintage vehicles, classic motorbikes, and WWII re-enactors, there was plenty for everyone to enjoy. Miss Memphis Belle entertained the crowds with 1940s songs and Buckland Monachorum Drama Group presented a vintage radio play. The Robey Trust, steam engines gave trips around the Airfield and there were regular guided mini-bus tours of the Airfield, provided by Tavistock Ring & Ride.

Chairman Stephen Fryer said, “Our 1940s Weekend is growing in popularity and this year’s show was bigger and better, with more visitors than ever before! Now we start planning for next year.”