Where: Winchcombe, Toddington, Gotherington and Broadway

When: Saturday and Sunday, April 28-29

With the RAF celebrating its centenary, the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway's (GWSR) 'Wartime in the Cotswolds' will be bigger and better than ever.

And with the recent opening of Broadway station, events will include addresses by King George VI, Winston Churchill and Field Marshall Montgomery to the citizens of the village as well as at Winchcombe.

This is the fifth 'Wartime in the Cotswolds staged by the GWSR, when waves of nostalgia and fun are expected to sweep the railway in an atmosphere-filled weekend as the railway's volunteers and re-enactors step back over 75 years to the 1940s.

And, marking the RAF's 100th Anniversary, plenty of blue-grey uniforms can be expected while the heart-stirring music of Hurricane and Spitfire aircraft engines will draw eyes skyward as the RAF Memorial Flight* stage a fly-by.

A full-size replica of a Spitfire will also be at Toddington station complete with original cockpit and Merlin engine which will be fired up from time to time during the weekend and visitors could have the rare opportunity to visit the cockpit (advance booking necessary).

As well as music of the skies, there will plenty of music in the marquee at Toddington station too - you can listen or dance to the Big Band music of 'Kalamazoo' and authentic 1940s singer Lola Lamour.

John Rogers, one of the railway's volunteers and a member of the event organising committee comments: "We're planning another packed two days of entertainment that will allow visitors to soak up the wartime atmosphere in our lighthearted effort to cock a snook at the enemy and get a taste of what life was like back home during the war.

"But many of our boys in blue and other uniforms didn't return, of course, and there will be a short service at Toddington on Sunday to remember them.

"But everyone looked out for each other and buoyed themselves up with camaraderie and music. And there will be plenty of both during this very special weekend!"

RAF attractions, apart from the Spitfire and Memorial Flight fly-past, include the acclaimed RAF plotting room demonstration, which is filled with tension and extremely realistic. It will be in the brand new Tim Mitchell visitor centre at Winchcombe station.

In addition, there will be plenty of military and period vehicles and hardware, while the narrow-gauge railway at Toddington will also be operating.

Also at Winchcombe station it's worth popping into the 'Tin Hat Club' where you can slake your thirst with a pint of local craft beer, as well as visiting military encampments and chatting to re-enactors. 

A vintage bus service will operate frequently to and from Winchcombe village where, once again, village shops are entering into the spirit of the occasion.

At Broadway, a diesel railcar service will link with Toddington while a bus will take visitors to and from the village which, like Winchcombe, is preparing for the Royal visit from King George VI and his entourage.

John Rogers added: "We have been overwhelmed by support from so many people for this event that we have had to close applications for re-enactor groups that will be entertaining visitors with cameos and music both on the trains and at the stations.

"And I would encourage everyone to dig out their glad rags or uniforms and join in the spirit of the occasion."

"Whilst not trivialising the seriousness of the Second World War it's also an opportunity to let your hair down and celebrate the freedom we all enjoy today. It's definitely time to pack up your troubles in your old kit bag and smile, smile smile!"

*RAF Memorial Flight flypast subject to availability and local weather, is expected to take place at Toddington at 1pm on Sunday.

Pictures by Ian Crowder