"Operation Atkinson" reenactment event at Beamish Museum, 21st/22nd March 2026. After Action Report.

 "Operation Atkinson" reenactment event at Beamish Museum, 21st/22nd March 2026. After Action Report.

 The team on the sunny Saturday.

The first event for the new Civil Defence Living History Group at Beamish was a great success - they are talking about us doing more there in the future!

We were set up in and just outside the Miner's Welfare Hall in the Beamish Museum's 1950s town area. The hall was used to show a Warden's Post, First Aid Post and a Welfare section rest centre.

The Saturday was really busy, the sunny weather certainly helped. 

Sunday's serious looking team waiting for the Soyer stove

to heat the water for tea.  

Sunday was quieter, partly as it was overcast and cooler but also because the big local football derby, Newcastle Vs Sunderland meant less people were out and about. Still we had plenty of visitors to talk to. 

Thank you to staff and volunteers at the Beamish Museum for their help in making this event a success. 

 The Civil Defence flag flies over the Miner's Welfare Hall.

 The displays inside the hall:

    

The Warden's Post.

 

The Welfare section's rest centre with two original CDC rest centre beds.

 

The Ambulance section's first aid post.

 

The outside displays: 

 

 

The Rescue section display - manpacks to the left & winches etc to the right.
 

 The "Emergency Cooking" area with the crucial Soyer stove.

 

 

 Stretcher practice - Manifold webbing (left) or Rescue team lashing (right)?

 

 

The vehicles: CDC Ambulance, private car & the Green Goddess.