As large numbers of Latvians came to work in Great Britain from refugee camps in Germany, from 1947 onwards they became to establish branches of the Latvian Welfare Fund (DVF). Social activities flourished: the organising of national festivities, choirs, theatre groups, folk dance groups, sports clubs and handicrafts groups. Most of these activities required meeting places but hiring these tended to be expensive. Gradually, as people settled and became more involved, the better established and thus more financially secure DVF groups considered buying suitable properties. Funding was sought from the Latvian community and loans were arranged for capital and decorative repairs although of the practical work was undertaken by the Latvians themselves on a voluntary basis. These centres provided space for larger gatherings, small meetings, bars, libraries, and weekend mother-tongue schools. As the decades passed and the older generation aged and passed away, the younger generations did not have the same need for these social activities, and individuals’ input decreased particularly after 1991 when Latvia regained its independence. Income no longer covered expenses and slowly the properties in Bradford, Almeley, Bolton, Corby, Halifax, Huddersfield, Coventry, Nottingham, Rowfant and the hotel in Riga were sold over the years from 1960 to 2017.