Ilkeston - Swing Back To The.... Cemetery
w/e 28 June 2015
All of this week's pictures were taken with a Kodak DX6490

Museum EntranceGazeboThere are some weeks when nothing much happens but now that we are in the summer season events are coming at us thick and fast. For example last week to name just two, we had the Waterloo Commemoration and the Long Eaton Carnival. This week on Saturday there were at least two more, one at the Erewash Museum and the other in Stanton Road Cemetery. We were at both.

Police & Land Girls

Saturday was Armed Forces Day and to coincide with it Erewash Museum staged what is becoming an annual "Swing Back To The Forties" event. A policeman in the uniform of the time was on duty and land girls had an interesting display under canvas nearby.
Museum Exhibits

As well as the land girls' display the event had exhibits both inside and outside the museum with classic vehicles and a shop selling a variety of tempting sweets from glass jars - providing you had a ration book of course.

Dancing On The Grass

Music of the forties being played from the Erewash Museum gazebo on the lawn accompanied the Festival Swing Dance Society demonstrating various popular dances of the war years. A lady making announcements between the dances and gasping for breath confirmed "It's not easy dancing on grass!" For me she could have left off the "on grass".
40's Costume & Churchill

Many of the volunteers helping at the museum were dressed in period clothes and Churchill was keeping a close eye on the proceedings whilst smoking his cigar and frequently giving the victory sign.
In Character

More forties fashion was much in evidence complete with hair styles and hats as volunteers got into character.
Rag Rug & Memorabilia

The theme continued inside the museum with demonstrations of rag rug making and a display of memorabilia.
Summer Fayre

Meanwhile at Stanton Road Cemetery the Friend's Summer Fayre was in full swing with music provided by Ilkeston Brass.
History Society

Various organisations were represented at the Fayre including the Ilkeston and District Local History Society who have done a lot of research into the the area including many of the deceased buried in the cemetery'.
Friends Of Straws Bridge

Another Friends group , those of Straw's Bridge Nature Reserve were also present publicising their work and raising funds to enable them to continue to improve the site.
Mitch The Owl

The cemetery at Stanton Road, now no longer used for interments, is a haven for wildlife in the midst of urban surroundings and the Friends have erected several bird boxes. I doubt that they would be large enough though to house Mitch the owl who was also present with his handler.
Ilson Giant

One of the most famous celebrities buried in the cemetery of course is Samuel Taylor, the 7ft 4.5ins Ilson Giant and pictured here with his life sized statue are members of the Ilkeston Theatre Company. Stationed at various graves they were bringing history to life as they adopted the characters of the deceased and recounted their life stories.

So both at the museum and the cemetery although the events were not connected, the work and dedication of a large number of people and their characterisations made history more relevant to today's population. Well done to everyone involved.

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