Twinwood Festival Part 2: The Twinwood Museums

This is part two of our posts about Twinwood Festival, here's Part 1 if you missed it. 

At the Twinwood site there are some fascinating museums dotted around in old airfield buildings, all offering you an insight into World War 2 and life in the 1940s. 

The Fire Service Museum, the only one of its kind in Britain, paid tribute to the wartime fire service effort. A men's Dormitory, complete with pin up girl posters, a Watchroom with an original switchboard and a Messroom with original kitchenalia and even cake made to an original 40s recipe, all gave this museum an authentic feel. 

The little museum was also very evocative of the Make do and Mend spirit and the age of never throwing anything away. All sorts of things had been repurposed - the bottom of an old set of stairs had become a book shelf to hold instructional manuals. 

Nearby, a recently renovated hut was home to the WAAF quarters and reenactors, where you could not only see, but experience more fully what life would have been like. 

Moving on to the largest museum, The Aviation Museum, was full of exhibits on uniforms, machinery and equipment, as well as engaging real life sets which took you back in time.  

A 40s clothing shop set illuminated clothing rationing and provided an overview of the civilian clothing mark, CC41, and the costs in coupons of typical garments. Focus was on quality made garments and carefully selected wardrobes - a long way from today's impulse buy and throw away culture. 

© IWM (D 14000)

What I loved most in this museum was the 1940s home, beautifully put together with simple utility wear from the era.

I didn't have a chance to explore all the Museums had to offer, but I know I'll be back next year to absorb more. I have a feeling that they will be constantly evolving too. If you have a chance to visit the Twinwood Museums, I thoroughly recommend them and their knowledgable volunteers. And don't miss out on the chance to have a cuppa in the NAAFI! 

Check back in a few days for my final post about the festival, it's all about my favourite part - Dancing After Dark!

Have a great weekend, 

Sophie x