To commemorate the 80th Anniversary of VE Day, Humber, Kingston, and Lord Bolton Lodges united to host a remarkable evening inspired by Rene Artois’ 'Allo 'Allo café. Guests arrived at 6:30pm, dressed in themed attire ranging from French berets and military uniforms to land girls and even the Germans, setting the stage for a vibrant celebration.
The evening began with solemn tributes as Trevor Whitfield (Humber 57) led a moment of silence for the fallen, followed by David Terry’s grace eloquently delivered in French, and then in English for wider understanding. Guests enjoyed a three-course French-themed meal featuring pâté, coq au vin, and crème Brulé, with each table adorned with flags, candles, and wine bottles creatively styled with images of Rene from 'Allo 'Allo.
Entertainment kicked off with engaging games, including a humorous take on ‘pin the tail on the donkey,’ replaced with ‘pin the cigar on Churchill,’ led by Eddie Wildman. Trevor Whitfield hosted a challenging WW2 quiz of 15 questions, which resulted in a tie-breaking victory by Marcus Whereat. (Kingston 1010) Prizes, including wine bottles, were distributed to winners of both the 'Allo 'Allo quiz and WW2 trivia.
The evening’s live comedy brought laughter as Kingston Lodge and guests performed an 'Allo 'Allo sketch, followed by a singalong of wartime classics such as Pack Up Your Troubles and Kiss Me Goodnight Sergeant Major. Highlights included Colin Bird’s (Lord Bolton 3263) captivating rendition of ‘Erika’ in German, accompanied by a translation, and Richard Smedley’s duet performances and Matthew Barber’s solo of ‘A Nightingale sang in Berkeley Square’. The singalong ended patriotically with Land of Hope and Glory, accompanied by enthusiastic flag waving.
The night concluded with a free raffle boasting over 15 prizes, and heartfelt thanks were extended to Neil Armstrong (Kingston 1010) for his event organisation and Eddie Wildman for coordinating the music. This collaborative celebration exemplified the camaraderie and joy that arise when Lodges unite for a shared cause—a truly memorable evening blending nostalgia, entertainment, and unity.
