Residents and visitors are invited to step back in time and experience a unique day of history, heritage and family-friendly entertainment as Hillingdon Council commemorates the 86th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.
The special event, Battle of Britain 86: The 15 Nations, takes place at the Battle of Britain Bunker Exhibition and Visitor Centre in Uxbridge on Saturday 19 September and shines a spotlight on the international effort that helped secure victory during one of Britain's most significant wartime moments.
A packed programme of events and activities will bring the past to life for all ages and explore the stories of those nations that came to Britain's aid through immersive tours, expert talks, living history displays, music, exhibitions and family activities.
Throughout the day, attendees can hear ‘Speaker Series’ talks from an impressive line-up of historians and authors exploring the contributions made by people from New Zealand, Ireland, the United States and the Caribbean. These will highlight lesser-known tales of courage, sacrifice and international cooperation.
Descend 76 steps to the historic underground Operations Room and discover how the headquarters of No. 11 Group Fighter Command played a pivotal role in the defence of Britain in 1940. Themed tours will run at 10am, 11.45am and 3pm which will reveal extraordinary accounts of how 15 countries came together to fend off the threat of invasion in military history’s greatest aerial conflict.
At 11.15am, a dedication ceremony takes place at the flagpoles outside the visitor centre to unveil a new interpretation board, ‘15 Nation Flags’ which has been updated for this occasion. An exclusive ‘In Their Own Words’ tour at 1pm, hosted by author and historian Dilip Amin, uses first-hand testimonies to provide a powerful insight into life during the battle.
In the award-winning visitor centre, browse exhibitions and watch living re-enactments featuring RAF personnel, WAAF officers and more, take a virtual tour of the bunker, and enjoy live performances from the Friends Community Choir.
For younger visitors, there are flag-themed crafting sessions, a climbing wall and interactive drama group, Freshwater Theatre, will perform ‘Crossing Oceans and Continents’ through drop-in sessions during the day.
Councillor Wayne Bridges, Hillingdon Council's Cabinet Member for Residents Services, said: "Our Battle of Britain 86 event showcases our borough’s indelible ties to the conflict and highlights amazing stories of international collaboration through a unique day of heritage, culture and community in one of our most important historic sites.
"Whether you're a military enthusiast looking for a family day out or simply want to learn more about the remarkable efforts to help defend Britain, there will be something for everyone to enjoy on what promises to be a fascinating and memorable day, so please come along and be part of this special commemoration."
Classic British food and refreshments will be available all day from The Café at the Bunker.
For more information on specific events and to book your tickets, visit battleofbritainbunker.co.uk/battle-of-britain-86.