Just for a change from the many obituary and RIP threads, may I mention that Dame Vera Lynn is still alive approaching her 100th birthday. And still releasing records (her first was in 1936). As it happens she was born in my street, and today I was surprised to receive a visit from an official of the Borough council about this. They propose to install a special street sign celebrating Dame Vera, and ask my permission to bolt it to the wall of my house. Of course I was pleased to agree, and look forward to seeing it. It is well known that Heritage blue wall plaques are awarded exclusively in the case of deceased persons, so this street sign design is a way around that for honouring those who are (amazingly) still alive. Incidentally my mother and father travelled to see Vera Lynn sing at the London Palladium; since this was during the Blitz it entailed considerable risks to all, but they thought it was worth it. They had great respect for her, and fond memories.
cool, nice we story. and to bring us back in to the 21st century will bump up the value of yer property?
Nice post Pete.. My late father didn't speak much about his time as RAF aircrew during WWII, but he did appreciate being able to tune in to Vera Lynn with other members of his squadron.
A very nice lady by all accounts. My youngest lad was at secondary school with one of her Grand(Maybe Great Grand) kids, and met her a couple of times. She lives down here on the South Coast now, and invited a bunch of the school CCF troop, including my lad, over for afternoon tea at her house a few years ago during the D-Day celebrations. She kept them all entertained for the afternoon and they all really enjoyed her company, which is saying something for a lady in her 90s and a bunch of teenagers. Nasher
My first thought was to worry slightly about the council drilling holes in my wall, but I thought that was a minor issue. Now that you mention it perhaps the sign might help. The council guy said people would be wanting to come and take photos of the new sign, so I suppose I shall be forced to refresh the crumbling, peeling paint on part of the wall. Oh well.
Happy birthday to a very special person. She helped boost the country’s moral all those years ago, we came through that test and we shall come through this. 103!!
I wonder what she thinks of the spirit of the country today? From “We all pull together” to “fuck everyone else”
Wow that is amazing! I saw her perform at the VE day celebrations outside Buckingham Palace in 1995, with Harry Secombe and Cliff Richard. She was an old lady then!
Saw her with my Dad when she 'headlined' at a concert at Woburn Abbey back in the '60s. I guess I was only 13 or 14, but remember she could belt it out and totally captivated the audience (all ages). Brilliant lady of her time and truly loved by my Dad's generation.
Now we have just have a plethora of f@cktard "no-list celebrities" instead, posting their perceived self-worth boosting, narcissitic tripe on Twitter.
