Dad's Army star's Arthur Lowe's Pembrokeshire connection
Arthur Lowe, who died in 1982, in his famous Dad's Army role as Captain Mainwaring. (Image: Dad's Army Wiki/Fandom) Arthur Lowe had a direct connection with Pembroke Dock. In 1940 he was a Sergeant in the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment and he well remembered the devastating German Air Force attacks on the town.
The 1940s Big Band Dance takes place in Pembroke Dock on Saturday June 21 and commemorates the 80th anniversaries of VE and VJ-Days as well as the end of the Second World War.
The dance will be held in a marquee sponsored by the Port of Milford Haven and located alongside one of the historic flying boat hangars in the former Royal Dockyard.
Peter and Marilyn Mitchell don their Forties gladrags in readiness for the dance. (Image: Martin Cavaney Photography)
Recreating the memorable Glenn Miller style wartime music will be the Phil Dando Big Band while Peri Lynn - formerly known as Peri Thomas and who is from the town - will perform her Vera Lynn tribute.
We'll Meet Again duo, Peter Mitchell as Captain Mainwaring and Perri Lynn as Vera Lynn. (Image: Martin Cavaney Photography)
Also taking part will be the Pembrokeshire Lindy Hoppers dance team who hold weekly classes in Pembroke Dock.
Funds raised will support a unique heritage project – the return of the RAF Pembroke Dock Memorial Window to the town. Originally unveiled 80 years ago in what is now the Heritage Centre, the window has for the last 30 years been displayed at the RAF Museum in London.
Tickets for this never-to-be-repeated Forties Dance are available, at £25, from the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre (Tel 01646 684220); Pembroke Dock Town Council offices in Dimond Street (Tel 01646 684110) or online via Eventbrite.
Street food vendors will be supporting the dance.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Daily Mail
Criminally good crime: The Red Shore by William Shaw, The Inside Man by Trevor Wood, Gunner by Alan Parks
The Red Shore is available now from the Mail Bookshop The Red Shore by William Shaw (Hemlock £18.99, 384pp) A confirmed bachelor, Met detective Eden Driscoll never wanted a child. But then his estranged sister, Apple, who lives on the Devon coast, disappears while out on her sailing boat. Eden and Apple have not spoken in years – he doesn't even know that she has a nine-year-old son, Finn. But he knows that she was a good enough sailor never to neglect to wear a life jacket. So he decides to investigate, and as he does so, it emerges that he is Finn's only living relative. The relationship between Eden and the stubborn boy are at the heart of this exceptional crime story. Shaw was always a fine writer, but this is his best work. It's my finest crime novel of the year – so far. The Inside Man by Trevor Wood (Quercus £20, 448pp) DCI Jack Parker, who is only 53 and suffers from early- onset dementia but hasn't told his colleagues in Newcastle about it, returns for a second compelling story. Still haunted by the death of his DS, and desperate to track down the hit-and-run driver who killed her, he sends her replacement, Emma Steel, on an undercover mission to get close to the local gangster who Parker believes may have had a hand in the killing. He is then called in to investigate the disappearance of a mother and her young son. Meanwhile, Parker is taking part in the trial of a new dementia drug and debating whether to move back in with his wife and son. This is stunning storytelling, with a hero to cherish. Gunner by Alan Parks (Baskerville £16.99, 288pp) Set against the bleak backdrop of the German bombing of Glasgow and the Clyde shipyards during the Second World War, this compelling story introduces Joe Gunner, a former police detective. He has returned to his native Scottish city as a war veteran – with a dependence on morphine because of a damaged left leg and one eye covered by a patch. He is barely off the train from London when he is dragged into an investigation to identify a body – a man with almost no face and the tips of his fingers cut off. Add in Glasgow's warring gangsters and MI5 espionage and you have the ingredients of a striking drama that is destined for a series and, possibly, for television – Foyle's War, but with a sharper, darker edge.
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Daily Record
Ayrshire war hero awarded Provost's Medal at 107 years old
Harry Richardson, a bomber pilot during the Second World War, was presented with the Provost's Medal by Iain Campbell, Provost of South Ayrshire. An Ayrshire war hero has been presented with the Provost's Medal at the age of 107 - some 80 years after taking to the skies during the Second World War. Harry Richardson was a bomber pilot during the war and earned a Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for his bravery and his airmanship during his service. Provost Iain Campbell presented the medal to Harry in a ceremony in County Buildings, Ayr. The Provost's Medal recognises national or international achievement at the highest level for people who were born in or are residents of South Ayrshire. In the last 13 years, the medal has only been awarded on one other occasion. Local hero Harry, who was a bomber pilot during World War 2 serving from 1939 to 1947, celebrated his 107th birthday in Prestwick in February. During his RAF career, Harry was posted to 149 Squadron. Upon completion of this tour, he transferred to training bomber pilots. Harry then moved to India and the Far East with 159 Squadron. At the end of the war, he assisted with the repatriation of Prisoners of War. Harry then joined the National Air Traffic Service as an Air Traffic Controller, where he successfully climbed through the ranks, assisting in the planning of the Air Traffic Service over the Atlantic. Earlier this year, he was honoured during the 80th anniversary of VE Day and was present at the VE Day 80 concert at Horse Guards Parade in London, sitting next to King Charles III and Queen Camilla. In addition to the Provost's Medal, Harry was also given the Lord Lieutenant Award. This award was presented to him by Lord Lieutenant Iona McDonald. The civic ceremony was attended by Harry Richardson DFC and his family, alongside Alex Lobban, Chair of the Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA) Club Ayr & Prestwick Branch; and Sqn Ldr James Martin 602 (City of Glasgow) Sqn RAuxAF. Speaking humbly after the presentation, Harry said: 'Thank you very much for this award which I shall treasure for the rest of my life.' Provost Campbell said: 'The Provost's Medal is a significant and rare honour, reserved for only the greatest of achievements. I'm delighted to be able to bestow this honour upon Harry Richardson. 'Harry's dedication to his country is already well-known. The Distinguished Flying Cross is just one of the accolades he has achieved for his admirable bravery during his service. 'It was my absolute pleasure to welcome Harry, his loved ones and esteemed guests to County Buildings to recognise his outstanding achievements.' Lord Lieutenant Iona McDonald said: 'Harry is a remarkable man who along with many others served with distinction during the Second World War. I was delighted to present him with a Lord Lieutenant's certificate marking his contribution to the RAF and aviation.' Alex Lobban, Chair of the Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA) Club Ayr & Prestwick Branch, said: 'On behalf of Ayr & Prestwick Branch Royal Air Forces Association it was an honour and privilege to be present at the Award Ceremony for our member Harry Richardson DFC. Our appreciation goes to the Lord Lieutenant and Provost for their support of Harry.' Sqn Ldr James Martin 602 (City of Glasgow) Sqn RAuxAF said: 'It was a privilege to attend today's Civic Reception in Ayrshire, on behalf of Air Officer Scotland, in recognition of the extraordinary RAF service of Harry Richardson DFC. Our sincerest congratulations to Harry, on the receipt of the prestigious Award of the Provost Medal and Lord Lieutenant certificate, so richly deserved.'
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Daily Mirror
BBC The Repair Shop makes announcement as fans issue demand
The Repair Shop has confirmed which experts will be returning for the new series, which will air later this month. The Repair Shop has revealed which specialists will return for the upcoming series, which will be broadcast later this month. Show bosses unveiled a teaser for the new series on their Instagram page, giving viewers a glimpse of what's to come. They captioned the preview: "New weekly episodes of #TheRepairShop starting from Wed 30th July at 8pm on BBC One and Player." Enthusiastic viewers flocked to the comments to express their joy at the programme's comeback, with one declaring: "I love the calm of this show! And the knowledge that there are still artisan craftsmen and women who can do beautiful work!" Another wrote: "Best show ever. Only time I cry is when watching RS," reports Gloucestershire Live. A third chimed in: " I have been waiting for this to start again. An amazing program with amazing people." Some international fans made their wishes known, with one pleading: "PLEASE PUT MORE SERIES ON BRITBOX FOR WE CANADIAN FANS!! Thank you." Another viewer requested: "Please, new episodes on Britbox in the US. I love this show." The brief preview gave audiences a taste of the forthcoming series and confirmed which specialists would be returning. The footage showcases Will Kirk, Steve Fletcher, Dominic Chinea, Kirsten Ramsay, and The Teddy Bear Ladies. The synopsis for the opening episode of The Repair Shop states: "Experts restore a pair of original seats from Arsenal's Highbury stadium, a broken locket from the Second World War, a shop ledger from 1909 that charts daily life through Ireland's journey to independence and a chapel from a hand-built model village that was once nestled in a Somerset garden." During the latest instalment of The Repair Shop's Favourite Fixes, the experts met visitor Emma, who had brought along a puppet her father had presented to her in the 1970s when she was just eight years old. Emma disclosed that the cherished toy, which she christened Billy Willy, was a gift from her father, who had been diagnosed with cancer. "I was absolutely thrilled with him. It was the last thing that my dad gave me because he died soon after. We don't have many photographs of Dad, so this is all I've got of my dad. I've got nothing else," she revealed. Fortunately for Emma, the craftspeople successfully revived her treasured puppet, breathing new life into the precious keepsake.
