Blitz and Pieces facts for kids
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| Location | Scratby, Great Yarmouth |
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| Type | Home Front and Dad's Army |
| Owner | Darren Stride |
Blitz and Pieces is a special museum located in Scratby, Great Yarmouth, England. It's owned and run by Darren Stride. This museum takes you back to the Home Front during World War II in Britain. It also celebrates the funny BBC comedy show Dad's Army.
The museum is set up in a few interesting buildings. These include a 1940s prefabricated building, an old 1930s wooden military hut, and several large sheds. In 2014, the museum was even a finalist in a TV show called George Clarke's Amazing Spaces: Shed of the Year on Channel 4. You can visit the museum by making an appointment.
How the Museum Started
Darren Stride's love for the 1940s began when he was a young boy. He used to watch reruns of the classic BBC comedy Dad's Army with his grandfather, John Fenton. His grandfather had actually served as a soldier in a real regiment during World War II. This regiment was similar to the Home Guard group shown in Dad's Army.
Before his grandfather passed away in 2001, he gave Darren his service medals. These medals became the very first items in Darren's collection. Many other items in the museum have been given by people who visited or by members of the public. For example, the display in the old chemist's shop came from a place called Yesterday's World in Great Yarmouth when it closed in 2014.
Exploring Blitz Street
The museum is laid out like a street from the war, called 'Blitz Street'. It shows what life was like on the Home Front in Britain during World War II. You can explore two old-fashioned shops, including a chemist's and a grocer's. There's also a complete 1940s kitchen and living room.
You can also see an Anderson shelter filled with items people would have kept inside. There's a display of uniforms, helmets, and other objects from World War II. One of the most popular parts is a recreated office belonging to Captain Mainwaring from Dad's Army.
Captain Mainwaring's Office
Captain Mainwaring's office is set up inside a 1930s beach hut. This hut was actually used by the military during World War II. Inside, you'll find real Home Guard uniforms. There's even a uniform and webbing that was used in the Dad's Army TV show.
The office also has many other Dad's Army items. These include original props, like half of the string used in filming an episode called "The Deadly Attachment". This piece was given by David Croft. The other half of the string is kept in a collection by Jimmy Perry.
In 2014, the Blitz and Pieces museum was a finalist in a competition called 'Shed of the Year'. This competition was shown on Channel 4.
Images for kids
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A corner of Captain Mainwaring's office
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A corner of the grocer's shop
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A view of the 1940s living room
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A view of the 1940s kitchen
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The Anderson shelter display
