SUFFOLK will be turning the clock back 60 years next weekend to celebrate the anniversary of VE Day - the end of the second world war in Europe.And more than £6,000 of National lottery money has been made available to help major events go with a real swing at Sproughton and Martlesham over the weekend.

SUFFOLK will be turning the clock back 60 years next weekend to celebrate the anniversary of VE Day - the end of the second world war in Europe.

And more than £6,000 of National lottery money has been made available to help major events go with a real swing at Sproughton and Martlesham over the weekend.

At Sproughton the parish council has been awarded a £3,844 grant to fund two days of events on Saturday and Sunday.

On Saturday there will be a VE Day concert in the style of a 1940s radio broadcast at the Tithe Barn in the village.

Entry is free, but by ticket only - they can be obtained by calling the box office on 01473-742314.

On Sunday there is a 1940s-style tea dance, which is also free with tickets from the same phone number.

During the weekend there will also be exhibitions of wartime memories and people who lived and fought through the war will be on hand to share their recollections.

There will also be veterans of the Home Guard, WRVS and Land Army on hand to share their wartime experiences with the younger generation.

Meanwhile on Sunday, Martlesham Historic Aviation Society will be holding a celebration at the control tower on the heath between 11am and 4pm.

There will be exhibitions of second world war vehicles, and a flypast by a Spitfire similar to that which was based at the Battle of Britain airfield during the early part of the war.

This is also supported by the national lottery which has donated £2,500 towards the cost of the free celebration.

Weblink:

Martlesham Historic Aviation Society: www.mhas.org.uk