RESIDENTS came together on bank holiday Monday for a family day of fun at a Test Valley museum.

Hundreds of people turned out to the Wartime Wallop fun day at the Army Flying Museum in Middle Wallop.

Guests were able to enjoy model flying displays, new and historic aircraft, military vehicles, 1940s music and dancing, WW2 re-enactment groups and children’s entertainment.

As part of the museum’s flagship annual event, guests had an opportunity to get up close to veteran aircraft, vehicles and military paraphernalia.

Other attractions on the day included model flying, a fly-out from the Historic Aircraft Flight team, as well as 1940s singing from the Decibelles and dancing from the Andover Lindyhoppers.

Attendees also included the 4th Dorset HQ Field Office, Many Fronts Living History, 4th Wiltshires, The Joystick Club, Military Education Trust, Allied Assortment and many more.

Event organiser, Joe Faretra, said: “After a grey start threatened the event, it all cleared away to make a really nice fun day which, according to the feedback we’ve had, was really well received.

“We’ve enhanced the appeal to the event by adding extra value for money to the day, so we had Battlefield South’s laser tag arena, face painting, a bouncy castle, and science experiments from Genie Lab, all included in the ticket price.

“Plus, if entry was gift aided, attendees were given an annual pass to the newly refurbished Museum.

“Everyone who attended from visitors to exhibitors seemed to leave the event happy, and we are already planning next year’s event.”

The news of the fun day comes after the museum was officially opened on May 24 by HRH Prince Michael of Kent m after a £2.59million, five-month redevelopment project.

Prince Michael said: “What a joy it is to come back to the Museum.

“It is, of course, the only Museum dedicated to the history of Army flying and tells a very important story.”

Special recognition was also given to the Museum Curator, Susan Lindsay, who had, according to CEO Chris Munns, “Set the highest standard for interpretation, and worked tirelessly over many months to achieve it.”

To mark her outstanding contribution to the project the Museum’s brand new archive will be named the Lindsay Archive.

Susan said: “The change has happened due to the hard work of staff and volunteers.”