LANRA

Lancs Area Naval Re-enacting Association


I am ex Royal Navy and have been interested in uniforms from those days as it was a regular thing to 'swap' odd items of uniform with other sailors from other Navies when paths crossed abroad. Gradually I amassed quite a few items and then decided to add to these to obtain complete uniforms. I have now collected uniforms from most Navies around the World. However it appeared that I was a lone soul with an unusual collection that no one else was interested in. Over the past number of years I had noted numerous groups/societies/clubs holding 40s and other types of weekends where quite a number of people appeared in all sorts of appropriate uniforms.
Five years ago myself and a colleague decided to attend the 40s week at the Severn Valley Railway at Kidderminster wearing some of my collection. As it turned out we were the only two 'sailors' on Parade and were absolutely amazed at the interest shown. With the majority being Army and Air Force of both the UK and the US our WWII Royal Navy and USN Navy uniforms certainly turned heads. We were also invited to attend for a longer period in 2007 to assist with the school parties. This we did and it was good to see a few more representing the Senior Service and further into this site we show some pictures taken.

At the same time we heard about re-enactment groups and forums on the Internet and so investigated and joined a few of them. However the main problem has been the number which are 'down South' and a lack 'up North'. To try and see if anyone else is interested in re-enactment in the North West I have created the Lancs Area Navy Re-enactment Association (abbreviated to L.A.N.R.A.). This is for those who are interested in Navy (or ANY) re-enactment in or near to the North West.

We now regularly act as escorts to Winston Churchill at both the Crich Events; and also attend the Severn Valley Events,.assisting and escorting as necessary, and helping with lectures for school parties. We have also been invited to attend as escorts and assisting as required at the East Lancs Railway events.

W are now getting even more invites top attend more events such as at Chatham; Goole, Haworth, Carnforth, Ingleton and at Churnet Valley Railway.

We would add a note that at no events do we charge for our services as we enjoy joining in although we do appreciate the free entrance tickets, etc, and thus feel we are more than repaying these with our assistance as required.

With the number of uniforms, etc, that I have collected, I have more than enough to loan any as necessary and will give any instructions regarding the correct manner of saluting, etc and also how to dress correctly. It is surprising at a number of events when you get just a blank look from people dressed as Officers who, after being saluted,  seem not to realise that this form of recognition should be returned. However that is, to us, all part of the fun.


    So if you are interested in joining or making contact with us  we would like to hear from you:

You are visitor number



Hope you enjoyed visiting.