Monthly Archives: August 2019

Milestones Museum

Posted on August 31, 2019 by Kitten von Mew

Today I did a 1940’s singing set at the Milestones Museum in Basingstoke. You can be forgiven for not knowing anything about it… but not forgiven if you don’t now go and spend the day there!

What a hidden gem. The building itself resembles something between an old aircraft hangar and a leisure club, but it’s what’s inside that impressed me.

A little town, with shop windows to gawp at, industrial area, vintage vehicles, wartime items, cafe and shop, plus a wonderful antique penny arcade to play in!

From a cycle shop to a radiogram store, a general hardware shop to toys through history, you really do forget where you are once you step on the cobbled streets.

I have to admit that my favourite area was the penny arcade!

You can either change hard cash or bank card money into old pennies to play to your heart’s content.

Pelham Puppets dance, claw grabbers tease you, mystic wizards and gypsies offer the secrets of your future and peep show machines offer a tantalising glimpse at 1920’s ladies, Charlie Chaplain and more.

Unfortunately I didn’t have enough time to look around everything after my singing set, but I’m very much looking forward to a return trip. If you want to find out more info on the Milestones Museum, just click HERE!

Echoes of History Show 2019

Posted on August 11, 2019 by Kitten von Mew

This event has changed site so many times and now has a shiny new name, but will forever been in my heart as Betsy’s first event. At 4 weeks old, she watched Mama sing for the first time and began her journey through the crazy event-filled world that is now her life.

Echoes of History has found a home in Purleigh, not too far from its previous locations. It will grow as word of mouth spreads. The living history areas are fantastic, plenty of eateries, great toilet facilities, main arena shows and live music as well as Air Raid Jive demonstrations too. There were not enough stalls in my opinion, but the organiser did say that it unfortunately clashed with another show. Next year will be better on that front!

There are big plans with this Essex event. A retro area and funfair are in the pipeline, with more classic cars too.

The Saturday was a bit quiet as the winds were getting up to 42mph, causing havoc with gazebos, tents and stylish headwear. Luckily today has been a lot better and a definite increase in public!