Bletchley Park Trust launches 2010 programme of events

Bletchley Park, home to the codebreakers of World War Two, has launched its 2010 programme of events, which includes a range of fun-filled and action-packed activities to suit everyone, from families and computer geeks, to film buffs and plane spotters! As well as many of the old favourites, new events for this year include a Vintage Computer Fair, Armed Forces Day and Golden Age of Cinema. As in previous years, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight squadron* will be supporting Bletchley Park with a number of flypasts to coincide with different events in their ever popular Spitfires, Hurricanes and Lancasters.

The traditional family Easter Eggstravaganza takes place on Bank Holiday Monday (5 April), followed by one of the Park’s most popular events - The Forties Family Festival on May Bank Holiday weekend, which due to popular demand, has been extended and will take place over two days (Sunday 30 and Monday 31 May). Among other things, it will feature wartime re-enactors bringing the atmosphere of 1940’s Britain back to life.

The UK’s first ever Vintage Computer Festival will be held in The National Museum of Computing at Bletchley Park on 19 and 20 June. Enthusiasts and collectors from across Europe are expected to enjoy the many exhibitions, demonstrations, flea market and and a number of special talks and presentations. Kevin Murrell, Trustee at the National Museum of Computing, describes the event as "The ultimate geek version of the Antiques Roadshow!"

Another new event for the calendar is the Armed Forces weekend on 3 and 4 July, during which visitors will learn about the work of the armed forces throughout the ages and how the modern-day forces and cadet corps serve in today’s world.

As home to one of the UK’s only working wartime cinemas, the Park will also host its first ‘Golden Age of Cinema’ day on 3 October. The event will feature screenings of classic wartime films and newsreels in the Enigma Cinema and displays of vintage cinematic equipment. There will also be a special feature-length screening in the Mansion ballroom. New for August Bank Holiday Monday will be the Post Office International Festival, looking at the history of the Post Office and the contribution it made during World War Two.

Making a welcome return is the annual Polish Day on 18 July, celebrating the vital efforts made by Polish codebreakers and the Polish Air Force, whose pilots fought alongside British military personnel in the Battle of Britain 70 years ago. The annual Classic Car and Motorbike Picnic returns on 1 August, with over 200 classic vehicles expected to be on display.

Coinciding with the 70th anniversary of Churchill’s appointment as Prime Minister in 1940, the joint Enigma Reunion and Churchill Weekend take place on 4 and 5 September. During the event, visitors will have the unique opportunity to mix with and talk to men and women who worked at Bletchley Park during the war. The Park’s annual Blitznight firework display takes place on 6 November and the year is rounded off with the Remembrance Day Parade on 14 November.

Entrance to all events (except Blitznight) are included in the price of Bletchley Park’s annual £10 season ticket, which following the first visit, entitles the holder to receive free entry to the Park for 12 months.

FULL PROGRAMME OF EVENTS 2010

Including Battle of Britain Memorial Flight flyover dates *

Monday 5 April - Easter Eggstravaganza.

Sunday 30 and Monday 31 May - Forties Family Festival (Lancaster – Sunday 30, Dakota – Monday 31).

Saturday 19 & Sunday 20 June - Vintage Computer (Dakota – Saturday 19).

Saturday 3 & Sunday 4 July - Armed Forces Day (Spitfire – Saturday 3, Dakota – Sunday 4).

Sunday 18 July - Polish Event (Lancaster).

Sunday 1 August - Classic Car & Motorbike Picnic.

Monday 30 August - Post Office International Festival 2010 (Hurricane and Spitfire).

Saturday 4 & Sunday 5 September - Churchill Weekend (Lancaster – both days).

Sunday 5 September - Annual Enigma Reunion (Lancaster).

Thursday 9 to Sunday 12 September - Heritage Open Days (Hurricane & Spitfire – Thurs 9, Lancaster – Friday 10).

Sunday 3 October - Golden Age of Cinema.

Saturday 6 November - Blitznight Firework Display.

Sunday 14 November - Remembrance Day Parade.

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