Ian Fleming's 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' Flies Into Bletchley Park

In February of this year, CommanderBond.net first reported that Bletchley Park would be the site of two events later this year as part of the Ian Fleming centenary celebrations: ‘From Bletchley, With Love’ and ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’.

Further details on the second of those two events, ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’, have now been made available. The latest press release announcing a series of limited edition stamps follows.

Bletchley Park Post Office Goes Bang Bang

On 1st June Chitty Chitty Bang Bang ‘flies’ into Bletchley Park. Ian Fleming’s magical car will be where its creator once helped to crack the Enigma code during World War Two. To celebrate Bletchley Park Post Office is issuing a sheet of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang stamps. Each stamp features a different picture of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang flying around Bletchley Park.

The sheets will be a limited edition of 500 and are priced at £35 plus £3.50 post and packing. They will be available on the day from Bletchley Park or can be pre-ordered from the web site at Bletchleycovers.com.

The special weekend at Bletchley Park is one of two Ian Fleming centenary events being held there. The second features Fleming’s other creation “James Bond”. During WW2 Fleming worked closely with Bletchley Park’s code breakers providing inspiration for his 007 stories.

Bletchley Park Post Office was the Park’s undercover mailroom and now publishes very collectable first day covers and stamp sheets.

The original press release announcing ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ at Bletchley Park:

Celebrate Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at Bletchley Park

Tourism South East together with Destination Milton Keynes would like to invite you and your family to a special one-day event at Bletchley Park on Sunday 1st June 2008. The event is designed to celebrate the 100th centenary of the birth of the famous writer Ian Fleming, who worked at wartime Bletchley Park.

The author is not only famous for his James Bond novels, but also as the creator of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The original car which was used in the 1968 film starring Dick Van Dyke will be on show at the event to celebrate its own 40th birthday.

There will be a competition on the day for two people to win the chance to ride around Bletchley Park in the car, known fondly as our Fine Four-Fendered Friend.

Attractions at the event will include a Victorian fun fair and craft stalls, as well as Punch and Judy and much more. Every half an hour, there will be guided tours of Bletchley Park, which is famous for being the UK’s codebreaking centre during World War II.

Destination Milton Keynes is the main sponsor of the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car and is keen to encourage journalists to visit the area and to the event. Other local attractions will also have stands at Bletchley Park on 1st June 2008. These include Bekonscot Model Village and Railway, as well as the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway. Milton Keynes’ Sno!Zone will also be bringing along its mascot, Percy the Penguin together with an ice box with snow play area for kids, free prizes, face painting, free tobogganing and much more.

The event is open between 10.30am and 5pm. Entry costs £10 per adults; £8 for over-65s; £6 for 12-16 year olds; and under-12s go free. Car parking costs £3 per car. Admission fees also serve as an annual season ticket to return to Bletchley Park throughout the year.

Keep your eyes on the CBn main page for all the latest details and coverage on all the Ian Fleming centenary events and James Bond-related releases.

To keep track of all the upcoming 007 releases, events, television shows, and more–just keep your eyes on the CBn Calendar, located on the right panel of our main page.