Fall in for 'Yanks' weekend support role

A PREVIOUS Yanks parade through Uppermill is enjoyed by hundreds of people

A SMALL team of volunteers who organise the crowd-pulling 1940s-themed event "Yanks are back in Saddleworth" are seeking more helpers.

The idea for the weekend spectacular came from the silver-screen classic "Yanks", starring Richard Gere and Vanessa Redgrave, which was shot on location in Saddleworth, Stalybridge, Oldham, Stockport and Hyde.

The screenplay was set in the 1940s and focused on American troops stationed in the North West training for deployment to Europe for D-day.

Now in its 16th year, the Yanks weekend organisers anticipate this year's two-day event will be even busier and need extra volunteers to play support roles across a wide spectrum of activities.

Displays

This year's event is on August 6-7, with the emphasis on help required for Sunday because of a parade through the villages.

The main event will be held at Saddleworth School, Uppermill, with attractions including militaria and vintage food stalls,a military vehicle encampment and British and American classic cars

A tea dance will be held on Saturday from 11am-4pm at the civic hall, where there will be home front and military displays.

At the school, there will be a licensed bar, static Spitfire and Second World War engines, live entertainment and dancing and much more.

Admission prices for the event have been retained from 2015 and are: £5 adult, £3 under-16s and £12 for a family ticket (two adults and two children under 16).

There will be free admission to re-enactors for the whole weekend.

Over the two days, organisers have booked, via the Battle of Britain memorial flight, not just a Lancaster but a Spitfire and Hurricane as well, subject to weather.

On Saturday evening from 7.30pm till late in the civil hall the nine-piece Kalamazoo Dance Band will be playing the best in big band and swing music. Tickets, which include a hot wartime supper, are £18 each.

They are available from Betty's fish and chip shop, High Street, Uppermill.

All tickets will be sold in advance - no tickets will be sold at the door.

On the Sunday, Cllr Derek Heffernan, the Mayor of Oldham, Deputy Lieutenant of the county Mrs S R Birtles JP, dignitaries and "prime minister" the Rt Hon Winston Spencer Churchill MP will be hosting a coffee morning for Normandy veterans and Royal British Legion members.

All volunteers will receive a full briefing, free refreshments and hi-vis jacket.

If you can help in any way, contact Paul Higginson on 07709 052501 after 6pm.

• For more pictures of previous Yanks events, check our Photo Sales Page - just searc for Yanks.