Bluebird Belles sing at their favourite event
HUNDREDS of islanders, three performances and two evenings of fun and dancing were had at the weekend with the annual Specsavers hangar ball.
The jam-packed evenings of 1940s-themed clothing, food and entertainment this year included performances from the mini big band, Down for the Count and The Bluebird Belles.
The trio has performed at the two evening events for the last three years, as well as at the tea dance for islanders who lived through or were born during the Occupation.
‘The friendliness of the people of Guernsey is what keeps us coming back. We absolutely love it and it’s our favourite event of the year,’ said Beth Berwick-Lowe from the singing group.
‘We didn’t perform on Liberation Day this year, just the Tea Dance and the Hangar Balls, but we have a lot going on this year with D-Day celebrations as well.’
The group formed in 2015 and they are based in Staffordshire and Sheffield, travelling around the country for events.
They are inspired by the Andrews Sisters, who they said were the Spice Girls of that era.
‘We’ve always loved vintage music and listening to it with our parents and grandparents,’ said Carrie-Anne Lawson.
‘Along the way we’ve learned more about the era in terms of the military uniforms and fashions as well as this specific style of singing and close harmonies.’
The hangar balls did not take place in 2020 or 2021 due to the pandemic, but made a revival in 2022, bringing over the likes of popular compere Rob Rinder to help islanders remember those who were lost during the war and celebrate freedom.
