Charlie Hathaway with an old cider jar, from Withers of Fordingbridge, on his stand. DA6129P10TIME slipped back more than half-a-century in a small part of the New Forest last weekend, bringing back memories and creating an air of nostalgia.

The village was South Gorley, near Fordingbridge, and the occasion was the annual By-Gone Days weekend at Brooklands Farm, when visitors remembered the part the nearby former RAF Ibsley air base played in World War II and in the D-Day landings.

The weekend followed its traditional format which over the years has proved so successful, bringing in the crowds in their hundreds over both Saturday and Sunday.

There were the lines of historic vehicles, both four- and two-wheeled, working steam traction engines and static steam engines, vintage farm tractors and equipment, genuine gypsy caravans, rides on a steam train and displays of rural crafts.

Pride of place this year went to a replica Spitfire K5054 which first flew on June 7, 1991, at Hullavington, in north Wiltshire.

The beautiful plane, with its V12 Jaguar engine, proved a popular attraction and brought back memories of many of the dark days of the war, when British and American war planes took off from RAF Ibsley on their various missions - many never to return.

One of the most important places to visit was the hut containing the RAF Ibsley Historical Group's exhibition, which gave an amazingly comprehensive insight on life at the air base during the war.

Exhibition secretary Vera Smith is still kept busy corresponding with former airmen from England, America and Europe who once served at Ibsley and are keen to maintain contact.

Reg Wingham plays fiddle on the steps of his gypsy caravan. DA6129P05This year, there was a display of beautiful paintings of aircraft from the 1940s, painted by the late artist Donald Ralph Williams, which his widow, Hazel, has donated to the museum.

The event was opened by Barbara Frankland, national chairman of the Royal British Legion Women's Section, who came down from Darlington.

Other highlights of the weekend included displays by the East Dorset Youth Band, the Majorwrecks and, on Saturday evening, a Roaring '40s concert, with Hyde Band and soloist Rosemary Squires, the well-known big band singer from Salisbury.

She had hoped to meet up with former bandsman Peter Lobley, who now lives in Lincolnshire and who played with the Naafi Band in Salisbury when Rosemary began her singing career.

Unfortunately, Peter was taken ill and could not come to the New Forest, but he hopes to meet up with Rosemary again some time in the near future.

The last time he saw her was when she sang with the band when they were playing in Salisbury.

On Sunday, there were appearances by Ringwood and Burley Band, and other attractions included a dog show, the Hyde Scottish dancers and a parade.

Proceeds from the weekend will be going to Salisbury Hospice, Salisbury Alzheimer Society and the Royal British Legion Women's Section.