 The formation of ENSA (Entertainments National Service Association) in 1939 solidified the UK forces' commitment to the provision of entertainment of service personnel both in the UK and abroad and the first major wartime Variety Concert was broadcast by the BBC from RAF Hendon in North London on 17 October of that same year.Within the RAF, the station cinemas would often share facilities with the station theatre clubs to produce plays and concerts.Each station's club would encourage membership from both service personnel and their families and many retired service personnel went on to have theatrical careers.