IOW Military Museum
The Isle of Wight Military Museum, Northwood was the place to be this weekend for all military and wartime history enthusiasts, as the Museum opened the doors for its Annual weekend of family and military fuelled entertainment. Young and old alike enjoyed an impressive display of military vehicles and Tanks combined with Saracen rides. On Saturday evening the growing band of troops were to be entertained with Rock and Roll line up of Lucas and the Dynamos, The Spitfire's and Lonesome Valley Boys.
The weekend festivities were officially opened on Friday by children of Downside Middle School, Newport who performed a historically emotive dance arrangement for families and visitors in front of a very large painted tableau, the combination of which depicted how London may have looked and felt for everyone during the Blitz in World War II. The children danced wonderfully and showed they were seasoned veterans to the stage as they previously performed this interpretation of “Band of Brothers” in Portsmouth as Downside Middle Schools entry into the inter schools Global Rock Challenge. There was an added bonus for the Military Museum, the artwork of the hand painted scenic tableau, originally planned and created by teachers Laura Groves and Ian Rees, which the children used as the backdrop to both of the performances, was presented to the Museum for permanent display and will also form part of their growing historical collection.
On Saturday Ian Dore was broadcasting live to Isle of Wight Radio listeners throughout the day. This intrepid IOW Radio Team not missing any opportunity for getting a feel for the event (see photos) actually broadcast part of Saturdays Live show from the inside of a moving Tank and boy was it moving. When they climbed out of the Tank, dusty but exhilarated, they were able to view on computer screens immediately the images Island Lifestyles 2020 photographers had taken in covering their exploits along with other visitors to the Military Museum. The IOW Radio Team were more than happy to accept one of the photographs printed immediately onsite with comments that “they looked like they were broadcasting from a war zone” and they “would have to frame the photograph and put it on display in the office”
Throughout the weekend there were static but impressive displays of UK and USA Forces Life, provided by various Groups from across the Island, including MVT and Ryde Marine Cadets. Real Life drama occurred late on Saturday afternoon in the form of a Chevy Pickup pulling into the Museum carpark, the Chevy’s arrival was heralded by a lot of unusual engine noise at which some of the visitors realised all was not well. This was more than confirmed when the frantic occupants jumped out of the vehicle before parts of it burst into flames, it was quickly realised this was not part of any organised enactment or display. The incident was made more serious due to Fuel Storage Tanks being beneath the Car park and the “William” Tank being adjacent. Fortunately this crisis was averted by the quick thinking and heroic actions of members of Ryde Marine Cadets, who were able to extinguish the flames and nonchalantly return unruffled to their original reason for being at the Military Museum which was to advertise and display their Group for the benefit of all the enthusiasts and visitors.
Picture - Downside Global Rock
Editorial and photographs by www.islandlifestyles2020.com further images can be viewed online in specific event galleries.