Some Welsh names just sound made up. Fireman Sam came from a fictional town called Pontypandy and Pontyberry is another pretend place in a Welsh TV show that I have never seen - 'Stella'.
Pontypool.
A real place. One i've heard of but had no reason to visit until I learned of a 1940's weekend taking place there. I'm in the middle of making a bit of a documentary and thought i'd use the event to get a few establishing shots and also to have a look around.
Short promo I put together for the event, using some excess footage.
I followed the Sat Nav directions bluntly delivered by my iPhone and arrived in the middle of nowhere. I've never been to a 1940's weekend before. Events I had visited before this had more of a general theme of war rather than a particular time frame.
I parked my car and walked up to where I saw the tip of a US flag waving for my attention. Underneath that was a small field with camped reenactors either side. Just before I got to that part was the small railway station building where people shuffled into, escaping from the crappy weather. I followed suit.
In here was the canteen. It was great. Straight out of the Forties. Familiar WW2 songs play out of some speakers to a room full of tea-drinking humans in period dress. This is what Gary Sparrow must have felt like.* The real deal.
Just beyond that the steam train was parked at the platform. Allied soldiers patrolling, eyeing up people like me. It was a real treat to see a steam train up that close and fully operational. There was a small cost to travel which I hadn't accommodated for. I'm a student and there is zero allowance for steam trains in my monthly budget. Next time.
Steam.
I had a quick look around and attempted to spot the organiser, Andy. I had no idea what he looked like so went off a few generic descriptions I had from people I had asked. I sat in the canteen and bought a cream tea from the dickie bowed guy behind the counter. Thankfully my modern tender was accepted and I started throwing it down my face.
Great Forties vibes in the canteen.
I spotted who I thought was Andy. He was a understandably busy guy and we parted ways after a brief chat during which he pushed a complimentary train ticket into my hand. What a hero. I get ride on the train.The train ride was great. The local Bobby onboard asked for my papers and the British soldier referred to my camera gear as spy equipment. A nice touch that I appreciated.
The reenactors were great and the most approachable i'd ever met at anything like this. I met two guys (Nick & Richard) who I interviewed for my film and they let me have a look at the impressive stockpile of weapons (Below).
Nick & Richard
The entire event was full of nice little touches. The thing I loved most about the event was the intimacy of it. It was free to get in, there were no overpriced options, no one was there with the sole purpose to make money. It is run by people who are passionate about the era and attended by those who share that passion. I can't remember the last time I attended anything where the only intention was to share an interest without charging six quid for a cup of tea.
Mock-Up of a downed German plane
Big thanks to Andy Knock for the train ticket and allowing me to film at the event.
