On Saturday 18 May the Heritage Centre team welcomed guests at the Weston Rooms for a 1940s themed dance. The evening was a great success raising over £1500 for vital repairs to the Heritage Centre. Money raised from events such as this is vital to help volunteers continue important work of showcasing and preserving Gainsborough’s local history in the Old Post Office building. The event also celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Gainsborough Heritage Association with a special celebration flower arrangement courtesy of the Pink Orchid.

Courtesy of the Pink Orchid

Chairman Andrew Birkitt started the evening by thanking the brilliant Room 21 Big Band and the Axholme Sisters, the Weston Rooms and the volunteers who helped to dress the room in bunting and flags helping the guests to step back in time to the 1940s.

Carlton Bradley, Pauline Jackson and Elaine Ayris

Andrew said, ‘A big thank you to Carlton for organising such a successful event, and for Cliff Bradley and Sons and Sills and Betteridge for sponsoring the evening. Another big thank you to Guy Crosskill for donating the trophies for our prizes which included the best costumes and best dancers of the evening.’

Chairman Andrew Birkitt with sponsors Cliff and Carlton from Cliff Bradley and Sons

Carlton Bradley and Andrew Birkitt with sponsor Shan Jaehrig representing Sills and Betteridge

Andrew Birkitt with Guy Crosskill and Judy Bates  

Publicity Officer, Gemma Clarke later said, ‘It was a fantastic evening enjoyed by all and we would like to thank all of the guests who made the evening a great triumph. We raised an amazing £1,506 that will help fund urgent repairs to the stonework of the Gainsborough Heritage Centre, formerly the General Post Office and Telephone Exchange building built in 1904.’

Guests were dressed in their 1940s outfits and helped to create a war-time atmosphere along with the tunes played by Room 21 Big Band with fabulous singing from the Axholme Sisters.

The Axholme Sisters

Room 21 Big Band

Andrew later continued, ‘I am so pleased that our first-anniversary event was such a lovely evening. We will be continuing to celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Association so please watch out on our social media and website pages to keep updated on more of our anniversary events that will be taking place this year. We really value everyone’s support so please drop in and see us at the Heritage Centre. The Centre is open every Tuesday and Saturday 10am to 4pm and every Sunday 11am to 4pm.’