Limpsfield Common was proud to play its part in this year’s Surrey Day celebrations with a very special WW2 Air Raid Shelters Open Day, coinciding with the 80th Anniversary of VE Day.

Led by our ever-dedicated Squadron Leader Rob Davey and our brilliant volunteer “Home Guard”, the event welcomed visitors from across the area to explore one of our most treasured heritage sites – the WW2 Air Raid Shelters. We were also visited by one of BBC Radio Surrey’s reporters to interview Rob Davey for a live cross to BBC Radio Surrey and for the South East News.

The Open Day was one of many celebratory events taking place across Limpsfield and Oxted, which included:

• Live music from the Oxted Band
• 1940s tribute choirs
• A display of Classic Cars in Oxted town centre
• A WW2 local history exhibition at Oxted Library and in the K6 phone box in Limpsfield Village
• A VE Day celebration afternoon at both the Limpsfield Royal British Legion and at The Bull Inn

To mark the occasion, the Shelters team also featured in a special Surrey Day podcast with Visit Surrey, which was broadcast in the lead up to, and on Surrey Day itself and can now be accessed via the Friends of Limpsfield Common website.

The day was a huge success, raising several hundred pounds towards the ongoing maintenance of the shelters and our educational activity for local schools. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who came along – and especially to our brilliant volunteers for making it all happen.

Special thanks to:

• The Thursday Task Force – for getting everything in tip-top shape beforehand
• Sophie M – for her brilliant work on marketing, publicity and social media
• Lorna E – for managing the entrance and donations
• Conor McNeil – for his help setting up the exhibition – and good luck for his Masters at Manchester Uni!
• Martin E & Tony P – for organising, setting up and guiding
• Peter W – for his fascinating Spigot Mortar demonstration and family WW2 stories
• Alan S, Martin N, Phil F, John R & Martin C – our essential support crew, with Martin C providing the superb sound system in the shelter 

The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive – and while it was a long day, it was truly rewarding. A real Dads’ Army triumph!

We’re already looking forward to the next Open Day on Sunday 20 July, 2–4pm.

Reserve your spot now via Eventbrite.

Podcast HERE: Air Raid Shelter podcast Part 1 BBC Radio Surrey 2