An event you might like.....
 

As HBC has done very little to commemorate the 60th anniversary from the end of the war, I have decided to take action. I applied for and received some lottery funding to throw a party (yes, that's right - a party). And before you all go shouting at me because money would be better spent on hospitals or roads, can I stress that the money is nothing to do with HBC. It has come from the lottery and if we didn't have it then some other town certainly would. So, let's not gripe about the funding and let's start planning a party.

Because I have been given quite strict guidelines about the type of party that I can throw let me tell you my ideas. I appreciate that we must, and will, honour the lives of the men who died in the war but I would especially like to celebrate the lives of the men who returned from the war. The families who would not be here now if these brave men had not returned. Men who fought for the future of our country and then returned to the normality of lives in England holding inside them the horrors that they had seen. I want to express our gratitude to them and to celebrate their return.

I've earmarked 15th October at Accrington Town Hall for the event - from 2pm - 6pm.

Food and drink
I have been given a fairly small budget for food and drink but I would like to provide some refreshments. I was thinking of sandwiches and tea but it would be really nice if we could get hold of some beer - of the sort that they would have served 60 years ago. What would be really good would be if someone could investigate the possibility of buying some casks at cost - Staggeringman can you help me out?

Entertainment
I'm going to find a swing band - anyone know one - if not, I think I've got a few contacts who can help me.

Exhibition
I have got a fairly decent amount of cash for mounting photographs. What I would like to do is collect as many photographs of families and men from around that era as possible. What I want to concentrate on is events from the years just after the war that would not have happened if the father/husband/brother hadn't returned - so for instance a proud father at a christening, or a brother being best man at a wedding or infact the groom at a wedding. So I want you to send me 100s of pictures - look in your parents, grandparents photo albums and send me as many photos as possible (don't forget to put your name and address on the back so that I can return them to you) pm me for my address. I want to fill the room with celebratory photographs.

There are a few other things but i'll keep those as a surprise for now - hope you can help.

Gayle

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Excellent ideal Gayle and good work obtaining Lottery Funding This is what’s needed to both commemorate and educate local people. I say educate because it’s an opportunity to demonstrate to the local thuggery that members of their family may have served and therefore should be respected. Perhaps the opportunity to talk to those that did serve might help all of us remember how important this generation where to our survival today. Just a thought, can you get any assistance from the Imperial War Museum at Manchester with displays etc? Is there anything you need that I can help with?

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Good for you I don't know how you find the time to be involved with all that you do. I'm sure everyone will agree with this don't let Peter Britcliffe have anything to do with the party as we all know how quick he is to jump on any bandwagon.

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I'm amazed that there haven't been more replies to this thread - I thought you all like parties.

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Excellent idea, Gayle. I believe Stuarts mate Dec drums in the Swing Commanders so you could try them.

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excellant idea gayle unfortunatley we are in spain at the time,but for my money the top SWING band inthe north of england are without doubt the SWING COMMANDERS,we have seen them a few times and they are first class,don't know the contact number but they should have it at king street if your interested send me a p.m. and i will obtain it for you.

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Are these them?

http://www.fooarchive.com/sc/index.htm

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Well guessed, Willow. Western Swing takes in jazz/big band influences and crosses them with C&W to produce a highly infectious brand of dance music which was popular in the States in the 40's. As Cashman quite rightly says, the Swing Commanders are an excellent band but, looking at their gig list, they are unfortunately playing at a country festival in Cornwall on Oct 15th.

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Brilliant idea. I'm quite good at doing food on a tight budget so if you need any help with it give me a shout.

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Gayle, might be an idea to get in touch with G.I. Jive - a Manchester-based mobile disco, run by a guy called Ian Hartley, who specialises in 40's/50's records.

Have a look at his site www.gi-jive.co.uk

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Careful Gayle, some smart a*rse would only expect to pay the same prices as 60 years ago.

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I'm planning to let them buy it at old prices. I've got the money to buy the beer so everyone can have a glass or two for free - or for a couple of pence (not to get wrecked because there'll be rationing of course). Only thing is I need to speak to someone about actually getting the beer in the first place. I half hoped Staggeringman might be able to help out there.