Below is a list of 1940's Dances & Events that are taking place in the near future. I do my best to ensure that details are accurate but please check with the organisers to ensure details haven't changed.

If you know of any 1940's Dances or other events coming up please let me know & I'll include them on the list. If you have any comments about dances/venues or events you have attended which you think may interest others please email me and I'll consider adding them.

Cinque Ports Swing Jive presents A 1940s Swing Dance
Assembly Rooms, Masonic Hall, East Ascent, St. Leonards-on-sea TN38 ODS
Featuring DJ Swingshift Chris, Licensed bar, Lounge, period venue. Dress code:1940s Civilian/allied uniform. Tickets £7 on the door.
Details: 01233 758792

"The Blackout" Dance
1940s Society Wartime Dance
7.30pm to 11.30pm at Donnington Hall, Barretts Road, Dunton Green Nr. Sevenoaks.
Grab your gasmask, Tin Hat and Dancing Shoes for an evening of wartime nostalga, dance, and entertainment. The 'Swingtime Sweethearts' (shortly to be appearing on TVs 'Britains Got Tallent') will be entertaining us with a variety of wartime songs to enjoy or dance to while our own resident DJ "Empire Radio" will be playing the toe tapping tunes to fill the dance floor. Dress code is very much 1940s or smart (military or civillian, no axis uniforms).
Bring your own drinks, though non-alcoholic refreshments will be available.
Tickets are likely to sell out in advance so will NOT be available on the door.
Order now on-line at: http://www.1940.co.uk/acatalog/Events.html
Tickets £9.00.
Further details from Ian on 01732 452505

Kent & East Sussex Railway 40s Weekend
Celebrate 40s lifestyle with demonstrations, displays, re-enactors, food, music and travel by steam train. I don't have lots of details but find out more at: www.kesr.org.uk

The 1940's Society - Sevenoaks

Fighting with the Commandos
Stan Scott
Stan will talking about his new book (Fighting with the Commandos, Pen & Sword Books - May 2008) where he recounts his experiances of the Second World War as a fighting soldier. After enlisting under-age, he was 'found out', joined the Home Guard and then a Young Soldiers Unit (for those too young to serve overseas). He managed to get out to Iraq but was again sent home. He then joined 3 Commando led by Brigadier Peter Young and landed on SWORD Beach on D-Day. He graphically describes the action thereafter which included being among the first to reach Pegasus Bridge and relieve the glider borne troops under Major John Howard.

A rare opportunity to meet and hear the experiances of a Second World War veteran.

8pm at Otford Memorial Hall near Sevenoaks, Kent.
Further details from Ian on 01732 452505 Admission £2

A GRAND DAY OUT, at The Grand.
This amazing & fascinating late 19th century venue was frequented by King Edward VII & his wife (& mistress Mrs Keppel!), Edward VIII, Princess Margaret & Agatha Christie (whilst writing Murder on the Orient Express) amongst many famous guests. The views of France across the Channel are outstanding & the Leas is a magnificent promenade. The Grand, The Leas, Folkestone, Kent, CT20 2XL 4pm: Afternoon Tea with the Palm Court pianist 5pm - 9pm: Dance to 1940's & 50's music with DJ's Reverend Boogie & Tiger Terry (there will also be a guided tour of the Grand as well!) Tickets available only from the Grand reception desk (cards are accepted): 01303 222 222 £12.50 in advance/£15 on the day £8 children £6 dance only Dress Code: Smart Modern or Vintage/Retro Further Details: revboogie@hotmail.co.uk or 07896 654 571

Bletchley Park (Milton Keynes) 'Forties Family Festival', 10.30am to 5pm
Featuring a variety of World War Two re-enactors, Lindyhoppers demonstrating their talents to a 1940s music, wartime cinema reels and other 1940s' attractions, including an authentic WW2 field hospital and a Bluecap Military Police post. There will also be a rare opportunity to see a stunning display of WW2 airpower; a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight flypast featuring a Lancaster, a Hurricane and a Spitfire. A superb 1940s location with loads to see and do. Not to be missed!
For further information call 01908 640404, visit www.bletchleypark.org.uk or email info@bletchleypark.org.uk.

Spitfire Bounce 7-30 till Midnight
Swing, Jive & Boogie all night to music from the 1940s & early 1950s.
Slade Green Community Center, Bridge Road, Erith (Dartford) DA8 2HS
Top DJs: Pat The Kat, Terry Elliott, Jeff "Two-Tone Boogie"
Dress to Impress, 40s or 50s Civilian or Allied uniform
Free tea, coffee & doughnuts, Please bring your own drinks
Tickets £6 each or £7 on door
Details: 07506 851862 or www.spitfirebounce.com

The Otford 1940s Swing Dance, 7-30 till Midnight
Swing, Jive & Boogie all night to music from the 1940s & early 1950s.
Otford Village Memorial Hall, High Street, Otford, Kent, TN14 5PQ
Dress to Impress, 1940s Style preferred
Free tea, coffee & doughnuts, Please bring your own drinks
Tickets £6 or £7 on the door
Details: 07931 674158

1940s "Colne Valley at War"
The Colne Valley Railway at Castle Hedingham, Essex
10AM to 4PM. We are planning to have civilian re-enactors, Royal British Legion, communications centre, bomb train, evacuation train, working shire horse and more. Contact: Colne Valley Railway Yeldham Rd Castle Hedingham Essex CO9 3DZ
Tel: 01787 461174

The 1940s & We'll Meet Again
Bishops Cleeve Street Fair (12 - 4pm)
Music, Vehicles, Funfair, stalls.....
Details: Christine 01452 700507

Frontline Dover, 1940s Weekend
Pencester Gardens right in the centre of Dover with free public admission.
The weekend features re enactors and "promenaders", wartime displays which last year included the 1940s house, Air Raid Wardens,Folkestone Home Guard, Land Army, Air Raid Shelter,RAF,Summer of 1940 Group, NAAFI van etc. Civilian and military vehicles are also on display. Both days feature bandstand entertainment including Kas,(1940s sweetheart), The Clover Sisters, the Blackfish Academy(concert party), Swingtime Sweethearts, Cinque Ports Lindy Hoppers, fashion shows and on Sunday only, the Betteshanger Brass Band. On the Saturday evening there will be a wartime dance in Dover Town Hall with dancing to the Jeff Short Swing band (suitably uniformed). Dress code strictly WW2 allied uniform or civilian 1940s smart evening wear/black tie.Tickets to the dance cost £19.50 to include supper (probably bangers and mash!) There is also a licensed bar. Further details of event from Lee and Jackie 01304 823341 or Colin 01304 204612. Dance ticket enquiries only, Sue 07972 194745

Supper Dance at the Hotel Elizabeth Orwell Hamilton Road Felixstowe Suffolk
8.00 - 12.00 pm £27.50 Overnight stay available - £55 B&B double room
Dine and dance or just listen to the Glenn Hurst Big Band playing authentic music of the 30's and 40's. The flags will be flying and the band will be in full WW2 uniform.If you are lucky enough to have 1940's dress we would love to see it !
Further details from www.glennhurstmusic.co.uk Glenn Hurst 01473 252098 Hotel Elizabeth Orwell 01394 285511

Mid-Hants Railway, Watercress Line, War On The Line, Hampshire.
Military vehicles, soldiers, civilians and of course trains. Contact: Mid-Hants Railway Ltd, The Railway Station, Alresford, Hampshire, SO24 9JG Tel: 01962-733810

1940s Weekend at Tatton Old Hall. Tatton Park, near Knutsford in Cheshire
The Old Hall at Tatton is set in its own grounds, within 1,000 acres of deer park and lends itself as an excellent backdrop for the 1940s. Try your hand at make-do-and-mend, dig for victory, war time cooking, washday and attend an evacuees school. Dance and sing with entertainers. Refreshments available. Military and civilian vehicles on display and a battle re-enactment each afternoon. A free, historic bus will run between the Old hall and the main car park. parking is also available nearby. Re-enactment and living history groups, vehicle enthusiasts and stall holders are welcome by prior arrangement. Contact Mick Ricketts 01625 374432 / 374400 email michael.ricketts@cheshire.gov.uk Public admission 11am - 5pm (last entry 4pm) Adults £4, Child £2, Family £10 (2 adults & 3 children). in addition there is a Tatton Park entry fee of £4.50 a car.

Isle of Wight - 1940s Steam Railway Weekend
Back to the war years this weekend with military vehicles, soldiers, civilians and of course some wonderfull steam trains. A lovelly venue with a lot to see and do for the whole family. An enjoyable and relaxing weekend. Well worth visiting!!
Isle of Wight Steam Railway The Railway Station Havenstreet Isle of Wight PO33 4DS
More details from: www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk or 01983 882204

"Operation Homeguard" in the village of Ingleton in the North Yorkshire Dales
Step back into occupied French village of La Chapelle-de-Marais and see allied troops take back the village, followed by a celebratory can-can dance with the Helen Howard school of dance. On Saturday there will also be a dance workshop, ENSA show with Dickie and Dennis, Sat night knees up at the Falls cafe (tickets available,small charge) Sunday military parade with the Lancastrian Brigade band, a road run, The ovaltiney's, Gracie lands, afternoon tea dance (£1 entrance). Music in the streets both days from Homefront Tommy, military vehicles, re-enactors, trade stalls and much more. Free campsite for MVT members Fri & Sat night with the help from military cadets. The Battle of Britain Memorial Fly past (TBC) For more information contact John or Elaine on 015242 41024, email john.ward91@btinternet.com

The War & Peace Show - The Hop Farm, Paddock Wood, Kent
The largest military vehicle show in the world. Vehicles, Re-enactors, Arena events, Shows, Displays, Dancers, Music, 100s of stalls, too much to list in detail.
A not to be missed event.
More details from: www.thewarandpeaceshow.com

The 1940's Society - Sevenoaks

Utility Furniture & Fashion
Jon Mills
Author & historian Jon Mills whose new book "Utility Furniture" is published in June 2008 will be giving a talk on the wartime utility scheme. Covering both furniture and clothing on Britains Home Front this should be an excellent evening for anyone interested in Britain during the War Years.

8pm at Otford Memorial Hall near Sevenoaks, Kent.
Further details from Ian on 01732 452505 Admission £2

Wings & Wheels Event
Airstrip at Baxterley in North Warwickshire (between Coventry and Tamworth)
Celebrating Sir Alan Cobhams Flying Circus on the 1933 tour and will feature our own tribute in the air. We will have period vehicles and aeroplanes ,and hope to have lots of interesting set pieces. Details www.wingsandwheels.org.uk or tel 01827 874572

The 4th Annual Cinque Ports Swing Ball
Assembly Rooms, Masonic Hall, East Ascent, St. Leonards-on-sea TN38 ODS
7-45pm to 12-30am Featuring Swinging Chandeliers with DJ Gypsy John.
L icensed bar, Lounge, period venue. Dress code:1940s Civilian/allied uniform or smart. Tickets £12 (advance) or £15 on the door.
Details: 01233 758792 or 07999 806635

1940s weekend - Stanhope Railway, Weardale Co Durham
There will be steam trains and entertainment on the line between Stanhope and Wolsingham stations. Military vehicles, stalls, dioramas, living history groups and re enactors are wanted Military or Civilian period. Free camping to all exhibitors. 1940’s dance on Saturday night, tickets contact railway on 0845 6001348 All other enquiries email militaryvehicles@aol.com or telephone 01429 275408

Spitfire Bounce 7-30 till Midnight
Swing, Jive & Boogie all night to music from the 1940s & early 1950s.
Slade Green Community Center, Bridge Road, Erith (Dartford) DA8 2HS
Dress to Impress, 40s or 50s Civilian or Allied uniform
Free tea, coffee & doughnuts, Please bring your own drinks
Tickets £6 or £7 on the door
Details: 07506 851862 or www.spitfirebounce.com

Crich Tramway Village
1940s Weekend
Back to the war years this weekend with military vehicles, soldiers and civilians. A lovelly venue with period trams and vehicles. An enjoyable and relaxing weekend.
Crich Tramway Village, nr Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 5DP. .

More details from: www.tramway.co.uk or 01773 854321

Operation Market Garden 2008
Spanhoe Airfield, nr Corby, Northants NN17 3AT
The event is in honour of those people who fought during the Operation Market Garden campaign in Holland in September 1944. There will be living history, re-enactments, static exhibits, museum, military and civilian vehicles, agricultural & steam displays and various trade stalls. The event will also include an airshow (with Dakotas, Spitfire, Hurricane and Mustang) together with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. On Saturday night there will be a ticket only big band dance. Live entertainment will also be provided on Friday evening. Details: www.operationmarketgarden2008.co.uk or general enquiries: Stephen Barker 01780 755514 (day) 01780 756862 (evening)

The Otford 1940s Swing Dance, 7-30 till Midnight
Swing, Jive & Boogie all night to music from the 1940s & early 1950s.
Otford Village Memorial Hall, High Street, Otford, Kent, TN14 5PQ
Dress to Impress, 1940s Style preferred
Free tea, coffee & doughnuts, Please bring your own drinks
Tickets £6 or £7 on the door
Details: 07931 674158

Holt Victory swing dance
In conjunction with the north norfolk railway 1940's weekend
Holt parish hall, Holt, Norfolk 8pm - 12pm. Tickets £7, each bring your own drinks.
For more details ring Esther or David on 01473 635176 esthersew@tiscali.co.uk

Salute to the 40’s at The Historic Dockyard Chatham
The former naval Dockyard is taken back in time to the Dockyard of the 1940s so that you can enjoy a fantastic weekend of nostalgia, wartime experiences and entertainment. In just two years this has become a firm favourite with many groups. More details to follow nearer the time.

All Dockyard attractions are open as part of this event including the WW2 Royal Naval Destroyer HMS Cavalier and the Submarine HMS Ocelot. Gates open each day at 10.00am. Free on-site car parking. For more details visit www.thedockyard.co.uk

The 1940's Society - Sevenoaks

Anne Shelton “With a Smile and a Song”
A talk and presentation by Kelly Richards
Anne Shelton was surely one of Britains best loved wartime singers, working throughout the war to entertain both civilians and troops. This evening Kelly Richards (who is actually Anne Shelton's niece) talks about some of this great entertainers experiances.

We are yet again fortunate to have such an excellent evening availale to us.

8pm at Otford Memorial Hall near Sevenoaks, Kent.
Further details from Ian on 01732 452505 Admission £2

Mapledurham Military Show
Re-enactment / living history event at our Mapledurham Country Estate, Reading, Berkshire on the weekend 3rd 4th and 5th October. The theme of our three day event will be of warfare throughout the ages but mainly concentrating on conflicts of the 20th Century, particularly World War Two. The event will occupy over 70 acres of land and we will have an arena occupying 10 acres, so the battles will be big and noisy. Battles will include tracked as well as wheeled vehicles and large infantry attacks. Mainly popular re-enactment and Living History Societies will be present representing all sides who fought in that gigantic conflict. There will be trade stands on site as well as refreshments, including a beer tent.Further details: mark@faulkner518.orangehome.co.uk.

The History of Dunton Green Open Exhibition (Saturday & Sunday)
Drop-in between 10am and 4pm at Dunton Green Primary School, Dunton Green near Sevenoaks, Kent.

Not strictly a 1940s event but of great interest to anyone local to Sevenoaks.
2008 marks 100 years of Dunton Green being a seperate parish. This is an opportunity to see an exhibition of photographs and memories of Dunton Green during the past 100 years. If you have any memories or photographs of Dunton Green over the past 100 years please get in contact.
Further details from Ian on 01732 452505 Admission FREE.

Spitfire Bounce 7-30 till Midnight
Swing, Jive & Boogie all night to music from the 1940s & early 1950s.
Slade Green Community Center, Bridge Road, Erith (Dartford) DA8 2HS
Dress to Impress, 40s or 50s Civilian or Allied uniform
Free tea, coffee & doughnuts, Please bring your own drinks
Tickets £6 or £7 on the door
Details: 07506 851862 or www.spitfirebounce.com

The 1940's Society - Sevenoaks

Speaker to be confirmed but its sure to be a good evening so put it in your diary.

8pm at Otford Memorial Hall near Sevenoaks, Kent.
Further details from Ian on 01732 452505 Admission £2

The Otford 1940s Swing Dance, 7-30 till Midnight
Swing, Jive & Boogie all night to music from the 1940s & early 1950s.
Otford Village Memorial Hall, High Street, Otford, Kent, TN14 5PQ
Dress to Impress, 1940s Style preferred
Free tea, coffee & doughnuts, Please bring your own drinks
Tickets £6 or £7 on the door
Details: 07931 674158