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The Exchange, Vintage and Antiques, in Harleston, puts on Mall display featuring Spitfires, Avro Lancasters and a Concord




A Concorde can be seen taking to the sky once more as it flies over hundreds of troops in regalia parading down the Mall – at an antiques store in Harleston.

Visitors to the The Exchange, Vintage and Antiques can now see more than 1,000 miniature figures, painstakingly assembled for a display to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Royal marines, police, and royal coaches containing the Queen and Queen Mother make up the display, with Spitfires, Avro Lancasters and a Concord flying overhead.

Paul Allum spent more than 10 hours reassembling the display. Picture: Mark Bullimore Photography 2022.
Paul Allum spent more than 10 hours reassembling the display. Picture: Mark Bullimore Photography 2022.

In the lead up to the jubilee celebrations this month, manager Paul Allum spent more than 10 hours reassembling the figures, which had spent years at the his late father-in-law Peter Sindall’s home in Old Buckenham.

“Peter had a history of working with the military and a real interest in pageantry,” said Mr Allum, who lives in Harleston.

The figures had spent years at Mr Allum's father-in-law's home home in New Buckenham. Picture: Mark Bullimore Photography 2022.
The figures had spent years at Mr Allum's father-in-law's home home in New Buckenham. Picture: Mark Bullimore Photography 2022.

“He had a large collection of toys and military figures, which he had collected, so, with the platinum jubilee coming up, I thought it was a perfect opportunity to show his collection to the public.”

Mr Sindall was a well-known figure throughout south Norfolk through his work founding Onward Enterprises – a social enterprise dedicated to getting people with learning difficulties into work – earning himself an MBE in 2008.

He died on December 3, 2017, after suffering a stroke and later developing pneumonia.

The display celebrates 70 years of British life –including a Concord flying overhead. Picture: Mark Bullimore Photography 2022.
The display celebrates 70 years of British life –including a Concord flying overhead. Picture: Mark Bullimore Photography 2022.

“It was always his idea to have the soldiers shown to a wider audience,” said Mr Allum, 54. “Sadly, it never happened in his lifetime.

“He would have been very proud and pleased with the response to it and been very keen to engage with people about it.”

The presentation is on display for the rest of the month, and has so far proved to be a hit with visitors.

The Queen and The Queen Mother can be seen travelling in a carriage along the Mall. Picture: Mark Bullimore Photography 2022.
The Queen and The Queen Mother can be seen travelling in a carriage along the Mall. Picture: Mark Bullimore Photography 2022.

“The response has been amazing,” added Mr Allum. “It was one of Peter’s life passions, so it’s nice for him to get that recognition.”



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