CSV Action Desk

My instructions from Christine Barker, the CSV Action Desk Producer, were as always, clear and concise.

“Your objective is the Veterans’ Weekend Celebration, its location is Hull’s East Park and your activities are to sample everything and report back… or else!”, she ordered.

My mouth was dry as lashed by the relentless spray from the Queen’s Gardens fountain, the hurried notes from my indelible pencil smeared across the page of my CSV issue field operative’s notepad.

I hadn't visited Hull’s East Park for several years and what with the glorious weather, the well laid out park was a tribute to the City Council and its staff, providing as it did a wonderful backdrop to the celebration.

With Christine’s instruction to “sample everything” ringing in my ears my first thoughts strayed to food which led me quite nicely to the tented RAF field kitchen.

Now my memories of such places are restricted to warm spam fritters (remember them?) and something bubbling, brown and mysterious which was always called “stew”. How things have changed.

In conversation with the hardworking team of three I learned that in two hours they could set up the kitchen, which was fuelled by diesel, kerosene, or even aviation spirit, and provide a varied menu for up to 250 personnel, now that is progress.

With Veterans as its theme, the event wouldn't have been complete without its complement of Battle Re-enactment groups with the most prominent being “The Northern World War Two Association’.

The group’s organiser, Paul Hilditch, a teacher when not being a German infantry officer, was not available as he was busy negotiating the surrender of his surviving troops so I had a chat with his second in command, a probation officer in reality.

He was keen to explain that their aim was not to glorify war but to act as living history for the younger generation as well as to provide entertainment for everyone.

Wandering about in the crowds and enjoying an ice-cream, I could see that many of the visitors had taken to the event with  enthusiasm and had dressed in the clothes and uniforms of the wartime period.

Civilians in Forties styles, a young Russian soldier and a Russian nurse. She really worked for the Yorkshire Water Board and enjoyed the change.

Then of course where would any event of this kind be without the ‘over-paid and overdressed’ Yanks, resplendent in their smooth uniforms (probably bus drivers from Beverley) and only too keen to join in the jiving to the excellent Blind Lemon’s Hot Five Jazz Group.

One of the most striking of the static exhibits was the full sized replica of a Spitfire built by a volunteer team from the Ripon Branch of the Royal British Legion.

Their Chairman, Howard Whiting, explained how the aircraft was transported all over the United Kingdom on fundraising events and next year would be included in living history for schools.

I joined the queue to sit in the Spitfire cockpit. When my turn came I had a Douglas Bader moment and gave the thumbs up for “Chocks away!”. Nothing happened, the RAF Field Kitchen must have pinched the aviation spirit.

As I stood watching others share the Spitfire experience, a distinguished looking gent next to me said wistfully: “A wonderful aircraft the Spit… from another time… when cars had running boards and girls wore suspenders." He sighed, then we both laughed and I moved away leaving him with his memories.

There was a lot to see and do in the two days of the celebration. The organiser Brian Petch had done the veterans proud.

When I visited the Veterans Agency (SPVA) stand,  the manager Pat Mitchell mentioned the record number of enquiries they'd taken mainly concerning pensions matters and the issue of the new veterans badge.

What emerged clearly was the feeling of goodwill to all veterans young and old with Vicky, a history teacher echoing the comments of many, that the living history portrayed was a lesson in itself which helped reinforce her students’ studies.

The sun was still blazing but it was time to leave. Sat in my sweltering car I switched on the engine and couldn't resist giving a thumbs up to the crisp young cadet directing me into the traffic stream.

She smiled indulgently and it was back to base after a perfect weekend.

If you are or even know a veteran who'd like support or advice from the Veterans Agency, telephone BBC Radio Humberside Action Desk for a leaflet on 01472 353501 or 01482 314444, e-mail: