Wartime secrets, songs and forts on stilts at Hungerford hotel

Due to the success of last year’s performance, The Bear Hotel in Hungerford has announced the welcome return of a popular singer.

Stephanie Belle performed to a packed house in June 2023 to coincide with the D-Day 80th anniversary commemorations.

Singing songs of the 1940s and more contemporary songs, Stephanie will be appearing at the hotel again on the evening of Saturday, September 27.

The event is part of a new initiative reaching out to the community through the themes of history and charity.

On Sunday, September 28, at 10am, there will be a unique talk on The wartime secrets behind the Famous Faces presented by historian and author Philomena Liggins. Philomena has written much about Bletchley Park during the Second World War.

After a break, there will be a talk at 11.30am by military historian and author Margaret Flo McEwan, fascinatingly entitled May the Forts Be with You.

This is the story of the Second World War Maunsell Sea Forts, still evident today, originally equipped with anti-aircraft guns, built in the Thames Estuary as part of the defence network around London.

As with the Saturday evening concert, the talks are free. However, table bookings are advised for the concert and registration is required for the talks.

Donations during the weekend are invited to UK charity the Children’s Society (https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk) which cared for children in peril during the Second World War and are still supporting young people today.

Email EventsAtTheBearHotelHungerford@greeneking.co.uk for full details and to register.