Families can step back into the 1940s as Fort Paull Battery Heritage Site hosts its first Armed Forces Festival, featuring a restored air raid siren, military displays and live music
A child dressed in military uniform holds a union jack flag at Fort Paull Battery Heritage Site, Holderness(Image: Submitted)
History lovers can experience a piece of the Second World War this weekend at Fort Paull Battery Heritage Site.
The first annual Armed Forces Festival at the Fort will welcome families on Saturday (June 13) from 10am to 4pm – and will feature a rare air raid siren used in the Second World War. The siren will sound at 2.30pm at the Holderness site, transporting visitors back to the 1940s. The siren was donated last year and has been meticulously refurbished by Kirkby Lindsey Electrical Engineering. It was fitted at the site by nearby Integra Buildings.
Nick Taylor, who took on the task of saving and regenerating the site in 2024 with his business partner Nick Moore, said the site has added a cultural element to the town and is teaching children about the area’s history.
Nick said: “From a history perspective it’s important that, first of all, it’s not forgotten, and second, that kids can see things up close and personal and learn about things that’ve happened in the past. Hopefully one day when me and Nick have gone there’s someone interested in this site that takes the mantle and this piece of history can carry on.”
The Armed Forces Festival at the Fort is being run by The Two Nicks in conjunction with local veterans’ charity Hull4Heroes. The proceeds from the event will be split between these two non-profits. “We thought it would be a good idea to put something into a local veterans charity with it being an armed forces weekend,” Nick said. “And by using their knowledge and experience we can put on a greater event.”
While the air raid siren is the main event, guests can also enjoy performances from Leconfield Military Wives Choir, vintage duo The Boogie Bugle Babes, and other singers. Also in attendance will be the Royal British Legion, the Pocklington Amateur Radio Club, and the Women’s Army Corps. Yorkshire Air Ambulance, RCT Association, Humberside Police, and Humberside Fire and Rescue will be there with their animal rescue unit. There will be wartime weapon displays, which will include firing up the weapons, the Military Vehicle Trust, a free bouncy castle, and a fairground. Food and drink will also be available to buy.
The site has come a long way in two years. Nick Taylor, a former Royal Marine, first became temporary caretaker at the site in the autumn of 2023. He was granted permission by site owner Brian Rushworth to reopen the fort with his business partner, who was behind a campaign to keep Fort Paull open as a heritage site with a museum. In 2025, the pair signed a 10-year lease, began to offer more and more events, and rent out the venue for private hire.
Nick acknowledged that the process has been “tough”, but they are now able to offer a full calendar of events. “It had been shut for 6 years,” he said. “It hadn’t really been looked after as a heritage site. The foliage had really taken control. The first year we spent tidying the site up and making it safe for the public. We had two events in 2024, last year was our first full events season. This year we are trying to keep on top of the site while also booking events. It’s going great.”
The event runs from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, June 13. Cost of entry is: adults £5, children/concessions £3.50, serving members/veterans £3, and under 3s are free.
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