PATRIOTIC celebrations of a bygone era were recreated for visitors to a North-East museum at the weekend.

Beamish Museum's Town Street was transformed into a sea of red, white and blue to commemorate Britain's colonial heights.

The outdoor attraction, near Stanley, County Durham, staged an Empire Weekend, as would have been seen in any North-East community in the early 20th Century.

Beamish is set in 1913, the eve of the First World War, when Britain's imperial might stretched across almost a quarter of the globe.

Empire Day saw communities celebrate the nation's achievements and it was an excuse to bring out the Union Jacks and bunting.

It was first celebrated in 1902, following the Boer War in South Africa, and was traditionally held on May 24, the birthday of Queen Victoria.

The occasion was intended to encourage the populace, particularly the young, to be aware of their duties as citizens of the British Empire.

It gained recognition largely through the efforts of the Earl of Meath, and was an annual event until 1959, when it was renamed Commonwealth Day.

Members of the Borneo Band, from the Durham Cadet Force, helped drum up a patriotic atmosphere at Beamish over the weekend, performing on the Town Park bandstand.

Buildings along the cobbled Town Street were decked in Union flags and red, white and blue bunting.

To add to the occasion, the Co-op store staged a colourful display of produce from the colonies.

These included teas from India and Ceylon, now Sri Lanka, sugar cane and bananas from the West Indies and Bahamas, plus produce from New Zealand and Australia.

Published: 24/05/2004