SIRENS, bombs, explosions, flames – Nottingham will get an authentic glimpse of a Second World War air raid tomorrow.
The mock target will be the Council House and in 30 minutes of dramatic action, the grim experience of the Nottingham Blitz, which took place exactly 70 years ago, will be recreated.
At 9.50am, the piercing wail of an air raid siren will alert the city to the approach of German bombers.
The drone of aircraft will be heard, followed by the noise of bombs falling on the Council House and exploding.
Flames and smoke will be seen through the windows of the city's most important building and at exactly 10am the Lord Mayor Councillor Brian Grocock will be seen on the balcony shouting for help.
An authentic 1940s fire engine, part of the National Fire Service display team, will race from Central Fire Station and at just after 10am, re-enactors will hoist a turntable ladder up to the Council House balcony to rescue the Lord Mayor.
Mr Grocock said: "Tomorrow's event is very poignant for me. I was five at the time and remember the sirens, the air raid shelters, the events of those times.
"Also, my son Jamie is due to return to Afghanistan in September with his regiment 2Mercian.
"I think it is important we remember such events and hope that they never happen again, and it is important we never forget those who perished."
Two wartime ambulances, based at Papplewick, will form part of the convoy to the Old Market Square.
At 10.15am, the welcome sound of the 'All Clear' will be heard. The Lord Mayor will then address people in the Old Market Square before the official opening of an exhibition in the Council House which will be open to the public throughout next week.
Nottingham's worst night of the war will also be remembered at the Central Fire Station's open weekend tomorrow and Sunday.
There will be fire appliances from the time and visitors will be able to try on a wartime steel helmet and a fire tunic, and have a go with a stirrup pump.
The event will also highlight the £20,000 Nottinghamshire Firefighters Memorial Appeal, which will honour the names of nearly 40 Notts firefighters – men and women – who have died on duty.
Former Nottingham fireman David Needham, a member of the Firefighters Memorial Appeal committee, said: "We wanted to provide an opportunity for people to remember the hundreds of victims that died in the city and the county. It is particularly fitting that the church service on Sunday will be at St Mary's in the Lace Market, as it was set on fire by an incendiary bomb."
Donations to the fund can be made at any Nottinghamshire fire station, by cheque to the Firefighters' Memorial Fund PO Box 62 Nottingham NG8 1DQ. For more information about the appeal visit the website www.nottsfirefightermemorial.org
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