Back to ’42 Charity Dance

Barry at War held the ’Back to 40 Two’ dance on Saturday October 29th 2011.

Guests danced to the sounds of Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington and others played live by Dave Miller and the Cardiff and the Vale youth Jazz Orchestra, supported by specialist vintage DJ Dipsy Doodle.

Built in 1906, the venue became a time wrap to a bygone era, draped out in bunting, flags and period morale raising posters.

Along with raising funds for the charities British Limbless Ex-Servicemen’s Association ( BLESMA), and Combat Stress, our dance helped to raise an awareness of our local history too, with Glenn Booker providing a display of the GIs in and around the Vale during WW2.

“Dances like this were hugely popular during the Second World War. They helped to raise morale and smooth relations between the local population and the Americans. Local girls met American GIs at these dances, and around 700 of them became GI brides and moved to the States after the war.”