Brighouse prepares to turn back the clock

The event, one of the biggest of its kind in the country, promises to be a rip-roaring return to the era.

The town centre will be taken over with displays, re-enactments, music, dance and family entertainment.

And organisers have promised this year will be even bigger and better.

Steven Lord, of organisers the Brighouse Business Initiative, said: “With 40s music in the air, sights to see and good food and drink available all around, what more could you wish for? And it’s all free to enter, making for a great family fun weekend.

“It’s not just the military side of the 40s that’s being remembered. During both Saturday and Sunday the town will be filled with music of the era performed by top singers on four stages - twice as many as last time - and there will literally be dancing in the street with two dance areas.

“This year commemorates the 70th anniversary of VE Day, the end of the war in Europe, and we have focused on the music and general euphoria of that year to bring a party atmosphere to the event.

“The number of singing acts will be double last year.”

The fun starts on Friday, June 5, with the Civic Hall turned into a 1940s dance hall.

Brandyn Shaw and his Rhythm Makers will come up from London to put on a great night of music and dance.

And at Central Methodist Church, theatre group Talking Stock Productions will perform its latest play “Le Grand Return”.

The play has already had a hugely successful run across the north of England and they are reprising it especially for the 40s weekend.

Saturday will see the return of the variety show at the Civic Hall, with a matinee performance as well as an extended evening show and a dance at the Assembly Rooms featuring the Glenn Miller sound of NyteBeat.

On Sunday night an extra dance has been scheduled for the first time as a grand finale, featuring the popular Calderdale Big Band, rounding the weekend off in true party style.

For more information, visit www.brighouse1940sweekend.co.uk or ring 01484 711835.

Tickets for the dances, variety shows and the play are available from Harrison Lord, Simply Flowers and Ryecorn Wholefoods in Brighouse or online.

More information will be in the Echo each week up to the event, which runs from Friday, June 5, to Sunday, June 7.