1940s Wartime Tribute Show

I recently paid a visit to Grange-Over-Sands where I was booked to perform my 1940s wartime tribute show at the Cumbria Grand Hotel.

The Cumbria Grand Hotel is a lovely old building which overlooks Morecambe Bay. I have great memories of this area as we used to go on holiday there to Pontins when I was little – ahh the exotic and glamorous vacations of my youth!

The Grand Ballroom at the Cumbria Grand is a very good size with an excellent dancefloor. I was reliably informed by one of the audience members (who was 83 and still cut a fine figure on the dancefloor!) that the floor was one of the best around for dancing as it ‘wasn’t sticky’. Apparently a lot of places are reticent about having a slippery dancefloor these days due to the risk of anyone having a fall and claiming compensation.

The audience were up for dancing from the word go, so for my 2^nd set I did my 1950s show, with plenty of rock and roll numbers for jiving to. After the show it was nice to get a chance to go around and have a chat to the audience members to find out where everybody had come from.

There were groups who hailed from all around the UK, including London, Newcastle, Wales, and even some from near my hometown on the Wirral. It was nice to hear that familiar accent again, as I don’t get to hear it that much nowadays, having lived in Scotland for the past several years.

Normandy Veterans Association war memorial

The next morning was a lovely day with lots of autumn leaves around, giving a real rustic look which seemed to really suit the hotel off to its best advantage. I had a look around the area, stopping at the train station and the Normandy Veterans Association war memorial, which was set in a very peaceful and picturesque sunken garden. According to the plaque, this area is thought to be the most historic place in Grange-Over-Sands, and it was certainly a charming place to visit on a sunny autumn morning.