YOU did not have to be around at the time of the Second World War to enjoy this sing-a-long evening as the songs are so well-known.

The society pulled out all the stops to create the atmosphere for this evening of nostalgia, with its members dressed in costume, from an ARP warden, nurses and land-army girls to various service uniforms, from Britain and America. Even the programme was a ration book and, yes, I can remember those - vaguely!

There were solo numbers, including WAF Claire Worboys' beautiful rendition of A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square, and GI Jonathan Darby's version of Don't Fence Me In. Mary Sinclair became Marlene Dietrich for the evening, with a superb Lilli Marlene.

Mary Cahill, Mary Sinclair and Claire Worboys were brilliant as the Andrews Sisters and the choir had everyone swinging in their seats to In The Mood.

Among the highlights was the rousing Agincourt speech from Henry V, when we heard Jonathan Darby Cry God for Harry, England and St George, followed by the choir singing Non Nobis Domine (actually from the Kenneth Branagh film).

Vice-president Grace Evans had written appropriate words to the Dambusters March, which everyone was able to join in with. This piece also illustrated the talent of pianist Angela Savage.

The audience sang lustily to more than a dozen songs, including We'll Meet Again, Quartermaster's Store and White Cliffs of Dover, ending the programme with Land of Hope and Glory.

This show was a great idea, and fantastic fun from start to finish. VJS