Jane Francis
ENSA-STYLE
1940s
Entertainer
Lancashire Belle
Archived Events - 2025
Jane's 'Lancashire Belle' season, all strictly 1940s, largely began with a succession of events to commemorate VE80. Below, in backwards chronological order, is an archive record of just some of Jane's events undertaken throughout 2025 to date...
Lytham 1940s Weekend
Date: Saturday & Sunday 16th/17th August 2025
Location: The Green
Address: Lytham St Annes
Postcode:
Jane returns to Lytham 1940s after a gap of two years, with two performances (12.00pm & 4.15pm) on the main stage on the Saturday - and in the beer garden of the famous Queens Hotel on the promenade on Sunday, between 2.00pm-4.00pm.
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The Gardens of Easton Lodge
Date: Sunday 20th July 2025
Location: Dunmow
Address: Little Easton Lodge, Little Easton, Dunmow
Postcode: CM6 2BB
It's a salute to the Americans today, as Jane performs at the wonderful Gardens, which were used by the US military during the Second World War, but have since been transformed into a haven of tranquility. Jane will perform two 45-minute sets throughout the day.
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Wythenshawe Hall 1940s Day
Date: Sunday 27th July 2025
Location: Wythenshawe
Address: Manchester
Postcode: M23 0AB
Step back to the 1940s at the historic Wythenshawe Hall in Manchester. Now open again after a blaze almost destroyed the building a few years ago, where in another age Cavaliers & Roundheads crossed swords - literally! - and Oliver Cromwell stayed over. Today we come relatively up to date with a day of 1940s music and dancing in the company of Jane, with lots of exhibits also to take in.
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Woodhall Country Park 1940s Weekend
Date: Friday-Sunday 11-13th July 2025
Location: Woodhall Country Park
Address: Stixwould Road, Woodhall Spa
Postcode: LN10 6UJ
Woodhall Spa's brilliant 1940s Weekend is, alas, no more. However, Woodhall Country Park has taken the initiative on bringing the 1940s back to the Lincolnshire village, with a three-day event, a packed programme beginning on the Friday evening. Jane takes to the stage on Saturday evening at 7.00pm and again at 9.00pm for two 45-minute sets.
Note: this is a ticketed event.
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Chadderton Day
Date: Saturday 25th July 2025
Location: Foxdenton Hall
Address: Foxdenton Lane, Chadderton
Postcode: OL9 9QS
A family fun day... with a 1940s theme! Gates to the lovely Foxdenton Park open at 10.00am and, amongst other performers, Jane will be entertaining from 1.10-2.00pm and again from 2.30-3.00pm, some 1940s but also vintage material from the 50s, 60s & 70s.
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Brief Encounter 1940s Weekend
Date: Sunday 29th June 2025
Location: Carnforth Station
Address: Carnforth, Lancashire
Postcode: LA5 9ET
Another new event to add to the 1940s calander - this time it's a full weekend at Carnforth Station, near Lancaster, where the classic film was shot. Catch Jane on the Sunday - times yet to be confirmed.
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Armed Forces Day
Date: Saturday 21st June 2025
Location: The Platform
Address: Old Station Buildings, Marine Road West Morecambe
Postcode: LA4 4DB
Jane returns to The Platform as the officially booked act to entertain at Morecambe's Armed Forces Day. This event continues to grow bigger and better each year - and with fine weather expected, keep your eyes peeled skywards for the RAF parachute display team.
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The Damhouse 1940s
Date: Sunday 22nd June 2025
Location: Astley
Address: Astley Hall Drive, Astley, Tyldesley, Manchester
Postcode: M29 7TX
A brand new 1940s event in the north-west. A two-day event, Jane takes centre-stage on the Sunday, with plenty of opportunities to dance - or to sit and relax, and simply enjoy her performances. Four in total across the day, the first at 10.30am. Entry is free.
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Severn Valley Railway
Date: Saturday, Sunday 6th-7th June 2025 &
Saturday, Sunday 13th-14th June 2025
Location: Arley Station
Postcode: DY12 3NF
Held over successive weekends and set in the most beautiful countryside imaginable, each weekend sees Jane at Arley Station, the jewel in the crown on the 16-mile line that runs from Worcestershire to Shropshire. Not to be missed!
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'Vintage Vibes' at East Lancs Railway
Date: Saturday/Sunday 24th/25th May 2025
Location: East Lancs Railway Vintage Weekend
Address: Rawtenstall & Ramsbottom (Saturday/Sunday)
Postcode: BB4 6AG & BL0 9AL
Although not an out-and-out 1940s Weekend this year, with different eras represented up and down the line, Jane has been invited to cover the 1940s at two locations. On the Saturday, she can be found at Rawtenstall, the northernmost station on the East Lancs line; while on the Sunday, she moves to Ramsbottom to perform on the platform. Plenty of dancing to be had at both locations, so catch her here!
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​Milestones Living History Museum
Date: Sunday 11th May 2025
Location: Basingstoke
Address: Basingstoke Leisure Park, Churchill Way West
Postcode: RG22 6PG
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From Birdcage Walk the previous day, Jane heads down to Hampshire and the wonderful Milestones Museum of Living History - and the second of a two-day celebration of VE80. Jane opens the second day with a performance beginning at 11.00am - and hands over to a programme of entertainment that continues all afternoon. Prepare for an hour of nostalgia and a patriotic finale to Jane's set as she transports us back to the sounds and the stories of May 1945.
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VE80 Open Day at The Guards Museum
Date: Saturday 10th May 2025
Location: Wellington Barracks
Address: Birdcage Walk, London
Postcode: SW1E 6HQ
This year marks the 80th anniversary of VE Day, with hundreds of commemorative events taking place the length and breadth of the United Kingdom. Today Jane has accepted an invitation from The Guards Museum to step back to May 1945 and recreate the sounds and tell the stories of that time, as people celebrated Victory in Europe. Including additional entertainment, it all takes place outdoors at the museum, which is located on Birdcage Walk, close to Buckingham Palace itself. From 10.30am-4.00pm - and it's free to attend.
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The Late Show with Becky Want
Date: Thursday 8th May 2025
Location: Media City, Salford
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Ten years ago, for VE70, Jane performed live in the then new Radio Five Live studios in Manchester, as part of the morning show hosted by Adrian Chiles (see left). A return for VE75 was scuppered, along with just about everything else, due to Covid. But as part of the BBC's commemoration of VE80, Jane will once again be singing live. This time, it is in the esteemed company of presenter Becky Want, and an assortment of studio guests, for the nightly programme The Late Show, which is broadcast to over 40 BBC local radio stations. Join Becky and Jane from 10.00m-1.00am on your local BBC radio station.
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Kildwick & Farnhill Picnic & 1940s Supper
Date: Monday 5th May 2025
Location: Kildwick & Farnhill
Address: St Andrews Church, Kildwick, North Yorkshire
Postcode: BD20 9BB
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Bank Holiday Monday, and Jane will be joining the good folk of Kildwick & Farnhill in North Yorkshire to commemorate VE80 with a full day of 1940s nostalgia, both indoors and outdoors. Get dressed up in your 40s finery, come along, bring a picnic, sit back and relax as Jane takes us back to May 1945. You can even bring your dancing shoes, with some Lindy dancers in attendance - and maybe even a spot of dance instruction for anyone keen to try their hand (or feet!) at something new.