Memories of Dame Vera Lynn, whose life and music are the subject of a unique event at The Wing later this month, will also be centre stage at a London gala a few days later.
The Trust is hosting an evening of words and music centred on the Forces' Sweetheart on Tuesday 16 April, when Susan Fleet MBE, Dame Vera's close friend and PA, will entertain guests with captivating tales of their time together.
That will be followed by a buffet supper, after which talented New Zealand singer Vicki Lee will lead the audience in a singalong to some of Dame Vera's classic songs.
Just three days later, on Friday 19 April, the Grand Connaught Rooms in London will host a glittering gala evening and auction in support of the Dame Vera Lynn Memorial Statue Fund.
A gold disc commemorating Dame Vera's album from the seventies will be on offer, along with dresses designed by the BBC for her popular programme, The Vera Lynn Show, as well as other outfits by famous designers worn during her concerts and TV appearances.
Also, in the auction will be a maquette of the memorial statue sculpted by renowned artist Paul Day and depicting Dame Vera alongside other wartime entertainers in a bronze relief (see photograph).
Paintings by artist Michael Italiaander, one of the youngest war artists in WW2, will also be on offer, as will a VIP experience at the All England Show Jumping Course at Hickstead, West Sussex.
Lord Archer will be in charge of the gavel and broadcaster and writer Gyles Brandreth will MC the evening, which will include performances by the D-Day Darlings and Colin Thackery. Vicki Lee, who will have entertained guests at Capel-le-Ferne on the Tuesday evening, will again be leading an audience singalong to some of the iconic songs.
Tickets for the three-course dinner in the company of Dame Vera’s family and friends are available from Our Legend and priced at £125 or £1100 for a table of ten. Contact amy@ourlegend.com or ring 020 3488 671319.
Tickets for the Trust's event on the Tuesday evening are more reasonably priced at just £50 each and can be can be bought by emailing battleofbritain@btinternet.com or calling 01732 870809.
