Wartime Dances On Saturday Nights In Dunsfold

A Memory of Dunsfold.

I can't remember where we performed (somebody help? I believe it was off the Dunsfold Green), but I was a member of a four piece dance band that in 1940-42 + came every Sat night from Witley to provide dance music for the airforce folk at Dunsfold Air base (remember those Mitchell's) and the local girls. The leader was Mrs Denyer on the piano, her husband (name?) played drums, I was a precocious 12 yr old piano accordion player, and Mr Chick played violin. Before the war Mr C had played in ship's orchestras on the UK to Australia route, so was somewhat addicted to Scotch. He carried a flask in his hip pocket on to the stage, liberally dosing himself during the course of the evening behind the cover of the silk scarf he otherwise tucked on to his shoulder to cushion the violin . By 9 pm he could only play "Maid of the Mountains "in the F key, regardless of the tune the rest of us were playing. I recall the noise as the evening progressed, and the things going-on that surprised a young chap like me. I'm sure all was good for morale!! Great Memories
Mike Phillips

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