“PARATROOPERS” and a glut of military vehicles have been promised for the third edition of a Teesdale vintage weekend.
The Barnard Castle 1940s Weekend is taking shape with dances, vintage vehicles and period costume all pencilled in for June.
The event’s working group met last week to ensure military vehicles would be returning to the cobbles on Market Place.
Re-enactors have also been earmarked to make a return alongside the Vintage Belles at the TCR Hub, on Shaw Bank, and a special Pathe News show reel at St Mary’s Parish Hall.
Primary schools are also being asked to get in on the act alongside town businesses in the 1940s window display contest.
Defending the title is A Cut Above, in Barnard Castle, which caught the eye of judges with its 1940s magazines, rations cards and personal photos.
Owner Sharon Walker has worked next door to the Methodist Church, on Horsemarket, for 18 years this spring. The 50-year-old claimed the window dressing trophy with pictures of her father, Stan Chape, as a young boy and also won a write up in the Mercury.
Barnard Castle born and bred Mrs Walker trained under the stewardship of Margaret Lodge as an apprentice while still at school.
From there, she moved to Darlington and worked at Dominque’s in Duke Street before taking up a post as Marks and Spencer staff hairdresser.
A return to her home town then beckoned, where she has worked since alongside her two staff.
Mrs Walker said: “You see everything going past here – we’re very much part of the community.
“We’re very lucky to have a very regular group of clientele – a number of ladies have come here since I opened.
“We’re very much involved in all things in the town – my husband and I are part of Teesdale Lions and it’s always me who gets the tickets to sell – it’s very much like a little hub.”
Mrs Walker was also quick to praise her two long-serving staff for staying on with her shop in an industry which often sees staff work in short spells.
“Dawn has been with me from day one and Rachel has been here for ten years this summer,” she added.
“I’ve got a brilliant team and I just couldn’t do it without them – I would like to thank all our clients, new and old, for supporting us and we welcome new ones at any time.”
