A Wiltshire village which attracts hundreds of 'Whovians' and historians each year is preparing to celebrate 10 years of its heritage centre.
The Aldbourne Heritage Centre has welcomed over 12,000 visitors since it first opened in 2014, including over 50 US tour groups, and it's no surprise considering the small village's worldwide TV fame.
The idyllic village surrounded by chalk hills may seem like any other part of the Wiltshire countryside, but it has become famous since the release of a hit 2001 Spielberg show about a group of men who left a lasting impression on Aldbourne.
Based on Stephen Ambrose’s book of the same name, the 10-part show 'Band of Brothers' tracked the members of Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, from training to D-Day to the end of World War II.
The 'Band of Brothers' were American soldiers who stayed in Aldbourne while preparing for the military operation now known as D-Day.
Their main camp was a group of Nissen huts on the village football field and archaeological digs which took place in 2019, 2022 and 2023 mean that the Aldbourne Heritage Centre is now custodian of around 800 artefacts relating to the extraordinary part of its village history.
"It's a part of our history which, thanks to the TV series 'Band of Brothers' enjoys world-wide interest," said a spokesperson for the centre.
"So many Americans are shocked when they discover Aldbourne is a real place."
As well as those travelling in the footsteps of the Band of Brothers, the village also attracts many ‘Whovians’ who are keen to see locations used in the filming of Dr Who in 1971.
Aldbourne was used as the fictional village 'Devils End' in the episode 'The Daemons', and a nearby Bronze Age Barrow played the part of The Devil's Hump.
The Aldbourne Heritage Centre, which is managed entirely by volunteers, will host its 10th birthday on Saturday, July 13 from 11am-4.30pm in celebration of all things Aldbourne.
The event will include a village history tour, 'living' craft displays, a visit to the local forge, vintage cars and so much more.
"From worked flint to the Aldbourne cup and from crotal bells to artefacts from the Band of Brothers occupation during the World War 2, the Aldbourne Heritage Centre covers a long & varied time span," said a spokesperson for the heritage centre.
"Everyone is welcome to join in on the day of activities."
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