Sounds of Forces’ sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn celebrate 70th anniversary of D-Day landings

TRYING ON FOR SIZE: Tiffany Kingdon, right, with mum – Dame Vera Lynn singing double Jeanette

MUSIC lovers of yesteryear across Nuneaton,  North Warwickshire and Tamworth have the chance to rekindle the spirit of World War II as Britain prepares to mark the 70th anniversary of D-Day next month.

And that indomitable wartime spirit – typified by Forces Sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn – will be brought to life at a special tribute show for a golden generation.

Lunchtime guests of the popular midweek show For The Good Times at Nuneaton’s La Tavola Calda restaurant will be serenaded to the sounds of the WWII entertainer who, at 97, is bringing out a new album Vera Lynn: National Treasure – The Ultimate Collection.

The album is being released to coincide with the celebrations commemorating the greatest land, sea and air invasion in military history – the D-Day landings of June 6, 1944 which helped to shorten the end of the war in Europe.

La Tavola’s spectacular on Wednesday, June 4 will star Dame Vera’s musical ‘double’ – 51-year-old Jeanette Kingdon – one half of a mother-and-daughter act Sincerely Yours, a name taken from the musical legend’swartime radio programme and first album title.

WE’LL MEET AGAIN: Sincerely Yours duo – mum and daughter Jeanette and Tiffany Kingdon

“Through Sincerely Yours, we’re delighted to be able to be part of the 70th anniversary celebrations of the D-Day landings,” said restaurateur Mick Emanuele.

“The music of Vera Lynn is the best possible way to pay tribute to the enormous sacrificies made by servicemen and women, and their families, in World War II,” he added.

“But 70 years on, it’s also important to enjoy ourselves as we look back to the dark days of the war. We’re certain our audience will be caught up in the spirit of the times – while enjoying two hours of musical entertainment and a two course meal.”

Jeanette, and 16-year-old daughter Tiffany, will dress up in ENSA uniforms and treat the For The Good Times audience to the famous tunes of Vera Lynn – We’ll Meet Again and The White Cliffs Of Dover – which are on the artiste’s new 40-track album and include previously unreleased material discovered by her daughter Virginia.

And the Dame Vera double, whose husband David joins in the spirit of the times with a Home Guard costume, said: “Tiffany and I aim our show at a golden generation. It’s music of yesteryear that will never be bettered as far as I am concerned.”

This year Dame Vera becomes the first person in music history to celebrate 90 years of show business, after making her stage debut aged seven at a working men’s club in the East End.

ON THE HOME FRONT: Keeping it in the family, Jeanette Kingdon with Home Guard husband David and daughter Tiffany

Her new album means she is the only recording artist in the world to have spanned the pop charts from 1940s to the 21st century.

Commenting on her planned album release, Dame Vera said: “It’s wonderful that my songs are still enjoyed, especially if it encourages people to commemorate what happened 70 years ago.”

The La Tavola restaurateur says his music-hall style Wednesday lunchtime shows – which appeal to people in residential homes and sheltered accommodation as well as pensioners living on their own – have been a sell-out success since they launched eight months ago.

REAL TROOPER: Dame Vera double Jeanette Kingdon belts out another number

“We couldn’t have chosen a better name for the show than For the Good Times – it sums up perfectly the whole feeling for this popular event,” added Mr Emanuele. To book For The Good Times, call 07796 084672.

 

NATIONAL TREASURE: New CD out next month from Dame Vera Lynn

WE’LL FIGHT THEM ON THE BEACHES: The D-Day landings of June 6, 1944