Jane Francis
ENSA-STYLE
1940s
Entertainer
Lancashire Belle
Archived Events
Below are just some of the more recent public events featuring Jane.
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Date: Wednesday, Thursday 13th-14th November 2024
Location: Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre
Address: Wythenshawe
Postcode: M22 1QW
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For the third year running, Jane is back at the Wythenshawe centre as Manchester Airport hosts a two-day community lunch for seniors. Attendance strictly by invitation only, this annual event is Manchester Airport's thank you to local residents, so popular it's run over two 'sittings' on successive days. This year's theme is the 1960s, with Jane (back by popular demand!) performing many timeless classics.
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Date: Sunday 10th November
Location: Hogarths
Address: 140 Church Street, Preston
Postcode: PR1 3BU
Back again at Hogarth's by popular demand, today Jane will be commemorating Remembrance Sunday with a full 1940s show that pays respect to the fallen. Times yet to be confirmed, but it will follow a full commemorative service held in the city centre in the morning.
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Date: Sunday 13th October 2024
Location: Eden Camp
Address: Malton, North Yorkshire
Postcode: YO17 6RT
This wonderful WW2 living museum will be hosting a two-day step back to the 1940s, as per the poster. You can catch Jane here on the Sunday.
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Date: Saturday 12th October 2024
Location: Avoncroft Museum
Address: Stoke Heath, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire
Postcode: B60 4JR
Recreating the kind of wartime dances that took place in village halls the length and breadth of the country in the 1940s, this evening sees the Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings host a 1940s dance. Guy’s Jumpin’ Boogie from UK 1940’s Radio will be spinning the tunes, with live music from Lancashire Belle. Tickets are just £12. For more details, see:
Date: Sunday 29th September 2024
Location: Welshpool 1940s
Address: 42 Broad St, Welshpool, Powys
Postcode: SY21 7JQ
The last Sunday in September will once again find Jane back again at a lovely event in the market town of Welshpool in Powys. Performing in the town hall last time around, Jane unexpectedly found herself in the exalted company of some familiar faces from the BBC classic comedy Allo, Allo. We don't know if Herr Flick and co will be back again this year, but Jane certainly will!
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Date: Saturday, Sunday 21st-22nd September 2024
Location: Grassington Village
Address: North Yorkshire, Near Skipton
Postcode: BD23 5AA
The beautiful village of Grassington, nestled in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, is a popular weekend on the 1940s calendar. You'll find Jane at the top of the hill, a regular spot for her, as she's been there since it started back in 2013. The event itself has gone from strength to strength, and with the popular TV series All Creatures Great and Small (the recent remake) being filmed here, it does have the feel of being back in time. There's plenty of eataries, shops and pubs... in fact this little village seems to have it all!
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Date: Saturday, Sunday 7th-8th September 2024
Location: AVRO Heritage Museum
Address: Woodford Aerodrome, Cheshire
Postcode: SK7 1QS
One of the biggest 1940s events of the year is also the first dedicated 1940s Weekend to be held at AVRO! Given its history and location, it's hard to think of anywhere better suited to a big event. As well as Jane, there other acts lined up, as well as DJs and plenty of stalls and attractions, but the focus is on a dance spectacular, so come along... and don't forget your dancing shoes!
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Date: Sunday 18th August 2024
Location: Clifton Park Hotel
Address: Clifton Drive, St Annes
Postcode: FY8 1HN
For one night only, Jane will be hosting a 1940s evening at the Clifton Park Hotel. Boasting a dance floor the envy of any hotel on the Fylde coast, here is your chance to take to the floor as Jane delivers a full dance set, as well as all the usual 1940s favourites. All welcome.
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Date: Tuesday 16th & Thursday 18th July 2024
Location: Clifton Park Hotel
Address: Clifton Drive, St Annes
Postcode: FY8 1HN
Two visits for Jane at Clifton Park's 1940s themed break this week - call 01253 725801 for further details. Two separate evenings - and two very different shows, both with the 1940s at heart, but maybe a few 50s and 60s thrown ino the mix.
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Date: Saturday, Sunday 13th-14th July 2024
Location: AVRO Heritage Museum
Address: Woodford Aerodrome, Cheshire
Postcode: SK7 1QS
The first of two weekend events during 2024 for Jane at the famous Woodford Aerodrome in Cheshire. Although not strictly a 1940s event, Lancashire Belle is a firm fixture to highlight the connection of the history of the Lancaster Bomber to the forefront of this family event, which features classic vehicles across the decades.
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Date: Sunday 30th June; Saturday & Sunday 6th-7th July
Location: Seven Valley Railway
Address: Bridgnorth Station
Postcode: WV16 5DP
Jane is back once again at Severn Valley Railway's fabulous 1940s Weekend, which is run over successive weekends (29th-30th June & 6th-7th July). The Sunday of the first weekend, and the whole of the second, finds Jane at Bridgnorth, her first time at this particular station on the scenic steam railway network. Expect plenty of dancing as Jane delivers all the popular 1940s numbers. Do come and join her!
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Date: Saturday 29th June 2024
Location: The Three Moles
Address: Petworth, Sussex
Postcode: GU28 0PN
Round two of Jane's support for Armed Forces Day comes on the the day itself, and finds Jane in the beautiful Sussex village of Petworth, specifically at the famous Three Moles public house. Jane will be performing two sets in early evening, starting at around 5.00pm and concluding with her Last Night of the Proms style finale (often copied, never bettered!) around 7.00pm.
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In between the two Armed Forces Day shows, Jane will be inside Catterick Barracks for a street party, a non-public event; and from Sussex will travel to Shropshire, and back for yet another year at Severn Valley Railway...
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Date: Saturday 22nd June 2024
Location: The Platform
Address: Morecambe
Postcode: LA4 4DB
Once again, Jane is proud to take part in Armed Forces Day, an annual show of support for military personnel in all our services, both past and present. Although the official 2024 date is June 29th (see below), the Lancashire town of Morecambe hosts its celebrations a week earlier.
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Jane will be performing two sets on stage at The Platform, which unsurprisingly is adjacent to the railway station, close to The Midland Hotel. Her first set will be at 12.45pm
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Date: Sunday 23nd June 2024
Location: Bramble Woods
Address: Wavell Rd, Catterick Garrison
Postcode: DL9 3BJ
Day two of the first of two Armed Forces Weekends finds Jane in North Yorkshire - at Bramble Woods, part of the Catterick Garrison.
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The event is 'Picnic in the Park', a family fun day, which starts at midday and continues to... well, who knows when! Jane will be singing throughout the afternoon, with music playing in between her sets.
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The weather forecast is good - and so we look set for a fabulous day. All armed forces families welcomed!
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Date: Saturday 15th June 2024
Location: Clifton Park Hotel
Address: Clifton Drive, St Annes
Postcode: FY8 1HN
The first of four evening shows this summer for Jane at this famous luxury hotel in St Annes, where she has been a regular for many years now. It's a 1940s themed break this week - call 01253 725801 for further details - with a repeat in mid-July and the same again, unsurprisingly, for the big Lytham 1940s Weekend in August.
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Date: Friday 7th June
Location: Hogarths
Address: 140 Church Street, Preston
Postcode: PR1 3BU
The D-Day anniversary celebrations continue, this time for Jane at the famous Hogarths pub in the centre of Preston. Jane's first performance is at 5.00pm, followed by a short break, and culminating with a second set of the evening at around 6.15pm, where Jane will deliver her famous (and now much copied!) Proms-style finale. It promises to be a lively and memorable early evening extravaganza!
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Date: Thursday 6th June
Location: Lytham St Annes
Address: Fairhaven Lake & Gardens
Postcode: FY8 1BD
Today our country commemorates the 80th anniversary of D-Day. To mark the occasion, Fylde Council are hosting a concert at the stunning Fairhaven Lakes & Gardens, with Lancashire Belle part of the line-up. The beacon, part of a nationwide event, will be lit at 9.15pm. Before then there is a full concert to enjoy. Jane takes to the stage at 6.45pm for a 45-minute set that will pay tribute to all those involved in the events of June 6th, 1944.
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Date: Bank Holiday Weekend, 25th-27th May 2024
Location: East Lancs Railway
Address: Heywood-Rawtenstall, via Bury & Ramsbottom
Postcode: BL9 0DL
Having performed at the annual 1940s Weekend for many years now, Jane always looks forward to this popular East Lancs Railway event. With several stations along its 12-mile route, and entertainment spread across the network. As always at East Lancs Railway, there is plenty of top class entertainment on offer. Jane can be seen entertaining on Bury Station on the Saturday and Monday, and at Ramsbottom Station all day on the Sunday.
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Date: Sunday 2nd June
Location: Astley Hall
Address: Chorley, Lancashire
Postcode: PR7 1XA
Astley Hall celebrates its centenary today, with a family fun day in the grounds. Plenty of activities and entertainment, including from Jane, who will be taking to the stage in the Walled Gardens at 12.40pm and again at 2.40pm. For her first set at least, she will be joined by dance group Shincracker Swing. Why not come along and join the party?
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Date: Sunday 12th May
Location: Forge Mill, Redditch, Worcestershire
Address: Needle Mill Lane
Postcode: B98 8HY
Redditch used to produce 90 per cent of all the needles in the world, and this fascinating museum tells the story of the humble needle and its rich history. Forge Mill also hosts a variety of outdoor events, including a 1940s weekend across the second weekend in May. Jane will be there on the Sunday - and looks forward to seeing you there. Dancers are very welcomed.