When I first arrived in Great Britain, I did not have an automobile, thus dependent on my fellow airmen for transportation and entertainment off post. One of the first places I was introduced to was ‘Banham Hall’ where dances were conducted every Saturday night. Usually, young ladies were transported by bus to the dance hall. Also, there were live bands and a small bar for refreshments.

The attached pictures were taken inside of the dance hall around June or July of 1960. The tall young lady is named Brenda Free. At that time, she was from Winfarthing. Of course, it’s been 46 years and did not maintain any type of contact with her. We never dated, but only met occasionally at the dance hall and danced. I do not know who the other young ladies were.

I noticed on the Business Services page of your web-site www.banhamandthebucks.co.uk the name ‘Richard Free’. I’m sure it’s a coincidence, but could there be a chance that Brenda and Richard are related? Wouldn’t that be something?

I think the dance hall closed in 1961, but I’m not sure. Hopefully, you or some of your friends may have some contacts with a few senior citizens who may be able to add to that particular piece of Banham History.

My wife and are planning a trip to the UK in September, 2007 for about a week. We’re going to stay in Woodbridge, but plan on renting a car so we can drive up to Diss and the surrounding villages for some site-seeing.

As a side note, a few of the airmen I was stationed with and I contributed pictures and money and had a web-site developed for the US Air Force squadron we were assigned to in the late 50s and early 60s. This site is at www.78th-bushmasters.org.uk. If you access the site, click on the ‘Then and Now’ link, then click on the ‘Manos’ link, you will see what I looked like in 1960. Picture was taken at Wheelus AB in Libya. I was an aircraft crew chief at that time. Also, there is a recent picture of myself and my wife Susan.
Thanks for reading this and best regards,
Connie, July 2006

I attended a local WI event with my wife the other day and some of the ladies present remembered the dances very well (perhaps some shouldn't even have been there). Wouldn't it be great to find some ladies who were present in the 1959 to 1961 period to reunite and have a chat with Connie and his wife. Even if this is not possible, Connie and his wife would be welcome to pop in and at least get their bearings of what once was! I hope we will be able to fix up a date.

Best regards, Bernie and Lynne Morris.

Dam Brigg 1967

I found an old photo of my brother and I from around 1967 at the 'Dam Brigg'. I am the kid in the shorts. I found your contact from your web site, trying to look for some old photos for my wife.

We used to spend the 6 weeks holiday at my grandad's house, which after his death became the telephone exchange. I think that the land was sold for about £2,500 at the time!!!!

My grandad's name was John Land, and I believe his family lived at Banham hall at one point.

Regards,
John Gregory, Feb 2006

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