Hilton, South Derbyshire, VE Day event 8th May 2020
I have been asked if anyone would be interested in taking their vehicle to this event. If so, please contact Russell on his email address below.
Hilton, South Derbyshire (DE65 5FF) - Major VE Day event 8th May 2020. Request for static displays of military equipment ( esp US Armed Forces)
Hilton is a large village in South Derbyshire ( a few miles south of Derby, close to the A50, and A38, and M1) We have approval to block the Main Street off in the village, and are planning a major street party on the 8th May. We are working with the 3 pubs within the Main Street, the local Primary school, Scouts, local community organisations, and there will be more as the day gets closer. We intend to make it the biggest event the village has seen in decades which brings together the whole community - making it educational, as well, as fun, including food, contemporary music and street entertainment.
Hilton was a very small village in 1939. Due to its location near to the airfields the farms to the south of the village were commandeered by the MOD, and a massive US military base was built. This led to a long association with the village with many stories of events being told to this day. After the war and the return of the US troops it was used for vehicle storage until 1989 when it was bought for housing.
We have applied to be on the route for a Lancaster bomber and are awaiting confirmation.
We would like to bring various examples of military equipment to the VE Day event to be part of the educational aspect of the day so that residents can get a sense of what they may have seen at the time, and help understand more of this part of the history of the village.
If you have vehicles, or hardware, especially US, and would be free on the 8th please contact us to discuss further. Access is just a few minutes from the A50 via a main road. There is a traditional hotel on the Main Street which can be booked. There is good off-road parking over night, if necessary. We would be open to discuss expenses. The event is planned to be self-funded and is supported by the Hilton Parish Council.
We are all very enthusiastic about the event and hope that many owners of vehicles/hardware will be keen to join us.
If you are interested, just email me with details of what vehicle you could bring, a photo if possible and any other requirements, costs etc that would be fine. Russell.pollard@btinternet.com
