Romans invade Droitwich for the day

2:35pm Monday 17th September 2007

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ROMAN soldiers rubbed shoulders with Royal Air Force pilots in a festival which brought our history to life.

Hundreds flocked to Droitwich Salt Day in bright sunshine for good-humoured, old-fashioned fun which banished gloomy memories of recent floods.

Whether visitors were interested in the bouncy castle or the belly dancers, there was something for everyone at the festival, organised by the Droitwich Spa Area Partnership.

Centurion Gaius Titus Mestrius - David Marsden from Lincolnshire to his friends - let children try on Roman helmets and armour and even take cover behind a shield taller than they were at the army camp in Vines Park.

The group, part of the Roman Military Research Society, were made up of seven soldiers and six civilians - and it took them two transit vans to carry all their gear.

Mr Marsden said: "It has been crowded today - for a small town there has been a really good attendance."

In the High Street there was a touch of Blitz spirit and the flavour of the Roaring 40s as crooner Kevin McCracken, dressed as a RAF flight lieutenant, belted out some Sinatra and other Rat Pack classics while couples danced in the street.

There was even an original Jones the Butcher' van from hit BBC television show Dad's Army complete with life-size models of Captain Mainwaring and other much-loved members of the Home Guard to complete the period flavour.

Military re-enactor Coun Graham Gopsill, who organised the VE day celebrations two years ago, managed to pull the 40s side of the festival together at short notice and came dressed as a US airforce colonel.

He said: "We didn't get quite as many vehicles as we expected but things are going extremely well and we're all very pleased with it."

Salt Day is now in its second year and included a one-day Fine Foods Festival which gave visitors the chance to sample wines, beers, meats, confectionery and ice cream.

Other attractions included a cake decorating competition in St Andrews Church Hall, judged by Beryl Village from the BBC's Great British Village Show.

Waitrose supermarket laid on activities connected with healthy eating in Gurneys Lane.

The festival also involved the launch of the town's Fair Trade status.