THE first ever Rural Life Vintage Revival transported visitors back to the 1940s and 50s earlier this month.

Crowds descended on the country life museum in Tilford between September 1 and 3 to enjoy a raft of entertainment, live music, vintage cars and fashion harking back to a bygone era.

The New Hawleans Jug Band, Ed Hopwood and the Riverboat Ramblers, the Wield Glenn Miller Band and Steve Conway kept people bopping throughout, complimented by sets by DJs Boppin’ Robin and Kat and the Bassman.

Students from Farnham Maltings-based The Dance Movement added some pizzazz to the dance floor - and a tea dance on Saturday evening also proved popular, with up to 80 people swinging and jiving the night away to the sounds of the Vic Cracknell Swing Band.

Numerous stalls sold retro, vintage and up-cycled wares, Paula’s Vintage Parlour offered 40s and 50s make-overs, Barkers of Farnham sponsored a best dressed dog contest and Frensham Brewery kept the beer flowing throughout.

An outdoor cinema screening of Brief Encounter kicked-off the festivities on Friday night and was well attended, with members of the Haslemere Thespians posing as usherettes.

The Mayor of Farnham, Mike Hodge, arrived to cut the ribbon on the Saturday riding a 1955 BSA B31 motorbike - adding to the display of pristine hot rods, classic cars and a vintage fire engine.

There was also wartime re-enactments by Homefront Histories and Graham Collicott added to the atmosphere, delivering colourful announcements dressed as an undertaker for the occasion, while photographers Paul Fitchett and Andy Newbold captured the scene.

Organiser Katie Hill afterwards thanked all those who attended over the weekend (particularly those who dressed up!), as well as the stallholders and performers, many of whom she said gave up their time for free.

She also thanked sponsors The Herald, Paul Fitchett Images, Viva Viva Vintage and Barkers, and confirmed there are already plans to repeat the Vintage Revival on the first weekend of September next year.

All proceeds of the event will go to the Rural Life Museum.