DO YOU remember the original Squadronaires from the 1940's? Originally formed by the RAF with a view to emulating the popularity with the troops of the American bands of the day, and to help boost morale, the Squadronaires went on to surpass even the most popular of the American bands. At the termination of the war in 1945, the orchestra went on to play at the Villa Marina in the Isle of Man for eleven years, until the advent of 'pop' music.

The name 'Squadronaires' belonged to the leader Ronnie Aldrich and after Ronnie passed away, the new Squadronaires was reformed under saxophonist Harry Bence and continued to perform until his death in 1997. The orchestra was then once again reformed under the leadership of trumpet player Greg Francis (the bandleader of the Memphis Belle Swing Orchestra) and a change of presentation and musical content was made, with the approval of Ronnie Aldrich's widow, Mary Aldrich.

So ... we now introduce to you the New Squadronaires Orchestra. Based on - and as a tribute to the original wartime orchestra, the band consists of young musicians as they looked then - playing the swing music of the great Swing Bands including Glenn Miller Tommy Dorsey Harry James, Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw and others. Sunday, April 1, M.E.C.A. Swindon, Regents Circus, Swindon.