RYEDALE Folk Museum is giving visitors the opportunity to experience what life was like for rural communities during wartime Britain this weekend.

As part of their annual World War Two weekend, the museum will be taken over by re-enactors showing what country life was like during the conflict, with displays and activities for visitors to get involved in.

There will also be a 1940s hairdresser on hand, church parade and flag lowering, and an opportunity to have a period-style photo taken with the Kirkbymoorside Camera Club.

Music will be provided by Kirkbymoorside Junior Brass Band on the Sunday.

Among the other highlights will be Dorothy Taylor, a Land Army girl during the Second World War, who will talk first-hand about her experience.

The event will also feature Red Army re-enactors and people can learn about their contribution to the war as allies, with Russian archaeology handling sessions, stories, toys and an even a makeshift Russian field hospital.

Members of the local Women’s Institute group will be letting visitors get hands-on with some wartime home crafts such as knitting and rag-rugging or help dig for victory in the museum’s garden allotments.

Emma McKenzie, the museum’s event co-ordinator said: “For us, this event is a great way for our visitors to get hands-on with their heritage. The re-enactor groups are great at chatting with the public and giving them a flavour of what wartime in the countryside was like.”

The event takes place from 10am – 4.30pm on Saturday , May 31 and Sunday, June 1 at the museum. The Kirkbymoorside Junior Brass Band will perform on Sunday at 2pm & 2.50pm. Normal admission charges apply.