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Category Archives: Events and Performances

2013 Performance Dates Added!


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Kitten von Mew modelling Heyday Trousers and blouse in a 1930’s Vogue style

Hello Catnips and welcome to 2013!

Please take a moment to look at my dates page for this year’s performances. I am determined not to burn the candle at both ends this year as for the past 4 years at least I have overdone it. I still have exciting things planned such as the Cold War Express in June which will be amazing (and over my Birthday!) and hopefully the new War and Peace Revival in July too! I have 1 performance a month from March to November (some are private bookings) so that suits me just fine.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year’s. Here is to a new start, clean slate, a year that will be what YOU make it. Go get ’em!

 

War and Peace Revival Website


Many of you may have heard that the War and Peace Show is being transformed next year to War and Peace Revival at Folkestone Racecourse, with many new exciting features!

I have just seen the website and SHAZZAM! Yours truly is on there! Eeek!

War and Peace Revival Website

War and Peace Revival Website

So take a look at what exciting things next year’s show has in store and get ready for some brilliant changes. Don’t worry, you can still dig your trenches, camp and enjoy brilliant entertainment. The facilities themselves with be far better and with access to the train station it is a no brainer!!!

 

 

 

 

The Craft Fair


kitten von mew crafts stall

We had such a wonderful time at Warwickshire Exhibition Centre last Sunday! It was the first time I had been and I was very impressed with the space and creative table displays. It was hard not to get tempted by some of the goodies on the stalls as I was there to make money not spend it, but still treated myself to a lovely hand knitted top which was a ridiculously good deal.

Along with my pincushion cups and hair clips, Mr Mew had brought along a few of his handmade wooden toys and a couple of light boxes. We had also made some cute bird feeders which proved to be rather popular!

Mr Mew and his wooden Bi-Plane

As well as selling our beloved crafts, I also sang some Christmas tunes and vintage songs to get everyone in the mood. I nearly laughed out loud when the most adorable little tot you have ever seen started jigging around like a dashboard hula girl to Santa Claus is Coming to Town! It was quite chilly, but adrenaline kept me reasonably warm for the most part and only my toes seemed to suffer the feeling of loss of life. I wore a wonderful new dress that I am utterly thrilled with, but cannot reveal where I got it as of yet!

Kitten von Mew singing at the Craft Fair

Kitten von Mew singing at the Craft Fair, wearing a pincushion corsage from her stall

In the end I sold 2 pincushion cups (My favourite one (the rabbit in lettuce leaves) and a bird in a nest of pins, a pincushion shoe, 3 pincushion corsages and 3 bird feeders so not bad at all! Next up is a vintage and crafts fair at Hatton Park Hall THIS Sunday (9th Dec) where I will be singing and selling some of my vintage clothing collection! The fun never ends!

Hazards In The/ In My Field


On a rather soggy weekend at Wartime in the Vale (June), Mother Nature slapped me round the face with the back of her gale-force hand and tested my hairspray and heels to the limit with rain. It then struck me how different and more prepared you have to be as an entertainer at WWII and other open air events.

Walking around as a visitor, you bask in the glory of vintage vehicles, reenactors, stalls and entertainers, but forget that those singers, dancers and models that enthrall their audiences aren’t effortlessly immaculate. They have to walk the same cobbled streets you walk, brace the same weather and still have to look as if they stepped out of a magazine or movie, no matter how boggy the fields.

Image donated by Lola Lamour

Lola Lamour in the rain, by kind donation of her good self (please do not use without her authorisation!)

I always love watching such performers as Lola Lamour, who (like me) is a complete devil for iconic 1940’s fashions, but to abandon her original snakeskin heels for a pair of wellies would degrade her star-like status and outfit. So we must hop, wobble, hobble and skip to dodge the hazards that may turn our nylons into “Goodbye, so long!”s and beloved pinup shoes from ‘irreplaceable’ to ‘untraceable’ under the mud. I stare enviously at those wearing military gear and warm boots, but am hell bent in wearing my lovely hats and 40’s dresses! Sure I could shelter in a tent for the entire event, but what would the fun in that be? I want to be out, meeting people, seeing things and buying bargains!

Portaloo’s can also be a strategical nightmare as you force your layered outfit into the confined space, dodge the floor of mass disruption (the glory of mud caught in the deep tread of boots), try and balance your handbag as you struggle with your straight-jacket underwear and test the endurance of the wall and door with many an accidental elbow ‘thwack’ as you try and rearrange your outfit again. You either exit looking as if you have been wrestling hippos in there or with an upturned nose and shudder. Classic signs of a girdle struggle is when you can hear the lady in question jumping up and down in the cubicle and she comes out all red faced and puffed out. I almost feel like waving a little flag and giving a cheer to those poor souls that survive the porta-hoopla.

Performing at field events can be the most tricky of all, especially if the changing room is in a completely different area. I say room, when this could actually be a tent depending on the event. I remember fondly getting ready in the back of the USO tent with just a gas lamp and tiny compact mirror; ducking and diving behind stacks of debris to change into my Burlesque outfits and praying that my pasties would be somewhat even…

My most recent event was a huge challenge because of the weather! Getting changed in a nice large mess hut was great, but then negotiating the journey back to the performance tent (where I would have to wait outside to make my entrance) in the mud and rain was a different story. I had decided to do my Pipe Dreams act, which is a gorgeous, sparkly WHITE costume (silly, silly kitten….), which would also showcase my new, spangle-tastic silver shoes from Johnson’s Originals (yes…I know…).

Kitten von Mew, 1940's Burlesque 'Pipe Dreams'

Pipe Dreams being performed at War and Peace Show 2011 – Image by Mr Mew

As I hid beneath my ghillie ‘tobacco’ cloak and staggered towards the entrance of the tent, a rather lively German reenactor didnt realise I was creeping up behind him and gave me a prompt kick on the knee (He was performing an energetic Morecombe and Wise dance move that would have been impressive without the plastic beer glass in hand). As the mud gave me friendly pat on the back of my fishnets and greeted my NEW SHOES with as much enthusiasm, I suddenly realised that the front of my white panel skirt also now resembled a piece of used toilet paper and I hadn’t actually started my performance yet. So what happens in this sort of situation? Do you storm off like a big stroppy Diva? No, you ruddy well get on with the show and laugh it off. Yes there were swear words later and even a disgruntled huff with furrowed brow (I know, stand back when you see these signs), but those are the hazards you have to face when working in these environments. They still enjoyed the show and I fear most of the audience were more ‘moths to my light bulbs’ than my disgraced shoes, but that is all the better. More importantly the shoes are now clean and lovely again! Huzzah!

Goodwood Revival 2012 Photos!


Here you go folks! A round up of photos taken mainly by Mr. Mew of the 3 days. I would have included more of him, but he was not happy with his outfit and hat mismatch, so have had to leave some out. Enjoy!

 

Kitten von Mew and Bill

Supposedly Bill and Ben, but more like Thompson and Thomson from TinTin or Mr Ben! Bill, his son and I in the back lot at Goodwood Revival

James Bond Baddies and Kitten von Mew at Goodwood 2012

James Bond Baddies and Kitten von Mew at Goodwood 2012

Goodwood Revival Camels

The camels outside the Driver’s Club VIP area!

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Inside the Driver’s Club, shmoozing with the peoples…

Kitten von Mew and The Garrison at Goodwood Revival

Kitten and The Garrison reenactment Group with a couple of members from the Goodwood team too!

Kitten von Mew and Ian

Kitten von Mew with ‘Daddy Tiger’ outside The Mess VIP area

Dan Gurney and Kitten von Mew, Goodwood 2012

Dan Gurney and Kitten in the Driver’s Club. What a guy!

Pinup Girls at Goodwood 2012

A couple of pinups from a magazine wanting photos!

Kitten von Mew in a Racing Car, Goodwood Revival 2012

Sitting in a classic F1 racing car…again… Thanks boys! You certainly need a corset to squeeze into that tight space!

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Derek Bell, Kitten von Mew and Tiff Needell in the Driver’s Club. Nice to be recognised!

Kitten in What Katie Did Corset at Goodwood Revival

Kitten von Mew posing on the WWII Swordfish at Goodwood Revival in What Katie Did’s Union Jack Corset

Kitten von Mew and Stirling Moss, Goodwood Revival 2012

Sterling Moss and I in the Driver’s Club. His wife recognised me immediately which was lovely. I proudly told her all about fitting a thermal vest under my corset. Stirling was more interested in my suspender belt 🙂

Kitten von Mew and Sue O Donoghue at Goodwood Revival 2012

Kitten von Mew and Sue O Donoghue in the backlot having a squidge. Didn’t get to see enough of my lovely lady this year!

Terry Elliot and Kitten von Mew, Goodwood 2012

Terry Elliot and I posing with the Daily Telegraph on Staurday which had a 2010 photo of me in there advertising Goodwood! Yeeehaw!

Kitten von Mew modelling What Katie Did Corset, Goodwood Revival 2012

Mid shoot on the Swordfish, posing with British Navy veterans, whilst wearing the gorgeous Union Jack WKD corset!

Kitten von Mew in Union Jack Corset at Goodwood Revival 2012

The best of British at Goodwood Revival 2012!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwood Revival 2012


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Murray Walker and Kitten von Mew, Goodwood 2011

With only 9 days left until the glory of Goodwood Revival yet again zooms it’s way around the track, I thought I would tell you some exciting developments for this year’s show! Revival is far from just classic car racing Catnips, it is a full day of entertainment, vintage and vintage inspired stalls, aircraft displays, famous racing car displays and more!

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Goodwood Revival Party 2010 with Kitten and Lord March

This year is especially exciting for me as they are featuring a new entertainments section called Over The Road, which is more early 1940’s inspired than the 1948-1966 areas that are usually on offer! Here you will find the famous Chap Olympiad (Ok, so they are more 20’s/30’s, but they are also a complete hoot and worth watching!) and Mr. B the Gentleman Rhymer who wraps in a King’s English accent over hip hop soundtracks and also pays the banjo splendidly(I will be sneakily trying to catch a glimpse myself as YouTube videos will not quench my thirst for his eclectic rhythm). As well as this there will be other pieces of entertainment in the Victory Street Party, which hosts a variety of stalls, an Earl Grey Tea Shop (yum!) and 2 hilarious eateries/ watering holes named Dig For Victory (think salads and fruit smoothies) and the Spit n Sawdust pub!

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Kitten with Sue O Donoghue at Goodwood Revival 2011

I will be there in my RAF corset doing meet and greets and posing for pictures, so please collar me as I walk by for a photo and chat! I hope to see many regular faces as well as new ones and remember to take the opportunity to dress up and join in the fun!

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Kitten and little soldier at Goodwood 2011

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Kitten and Chris Barrie at Goodwood 2011

Twinwood Festival Burlesque Photos by Lee Parker


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Richard and Kitten von Mew on the Vintage Life Magazine stand. Taken by Lee Parker

I have just received a photo CD from Lee and had to post up some of his shots from Twinwood 2012. There were so many  great ones, it was hard to narrow them down, but they deserve to be seen!  Here are some of my Lili Mewleen burlesque act from the Colonial Club and a few of my ATS fan dance at the Casablanca!

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Kitten von Mew as Lili Mewleen – Taken by Lee Parker

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Close up of original shot by Lee Parker

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“Oh nein!” Taken by Lee Parker

 

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Kitten in her Voller’s Corset by Lee Parker

 

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Clam shell kisses, taken by Lee Parker

 

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Kitten singing in the Casablanca Club in her ATS Corset by Lee Parker

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A song and a smile making life worth while! By Lee Parker

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Kitten von Mew’s ATS Fan Dance by Lee Parker

 

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Low flying Spitfires! Taken by Lee Parker

 

 

Twinwood Festival 2012


So…back from Twinwood and I can safely say that it was even better than last year. I loved the fact they had a new big marquee (The Colonial Club) and although the weather forecast threatened everything from thunder storms to hail, we were very lucky!

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Kitten von Mew with Vintage Life Magazine taken by Lee Parker

I managed to meet up with some of our friends Lola Lamour, Luna Nightingale plus David Burt, Madeleine Brown, Adam Hoffman (Mr Twinwood!) plus Leanna Faulkner (Voted 2nd in the Miss Twinwood competition), Lee Parker, Shona and Twan of Heyday, the Elliots, the girls and boys from Vintage Life and even a lovely lady that I first met on The Berliner trip!

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Kitten von Mew at Twinwood 2012 taken by Mr Mew

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Shona and Kitten, both in Heyday dresses! Taken by Mr Mew

I couldn’t wait to show Shona my Mary dress that I had embroidered with twigs of oak leaves and swallows. It was taken from a 1940’s embroidery pattern that I had found and doctored. It was my first attempt at embroidery and I was proud of my efforts! Shona was wearing one of her beautiful wrap dresses and an original hat!

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The sweet taste of success. Lee Parker licking Mr Twinwood 2012. Taken by Kitten von Mew

On the Saturday and Sunday evenings I had performances in the Colonial Club, Casablanca Club and Cafe du Bois. The big marquee was perfect for my Lili Mewleen act and although there were a few technical hitches on the first night, the routine went down very well with the audience and I got super feedback!

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Kitten in her Voller’s Corset getting ready for her Lili Mewleen act!

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In the Casablanca and Cafe du Bois Clubs I did my ATS fan dance with spitfire pasties. The atmosphere was electric in these tiny clubs and it was rather hot in there too! Shame I got poorly with a migraine so missed my last performance of the weekend, but Im so glad I made it through the rest as the audiences were fabulous!

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John Miller seems to remember me….

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Worryingly he seems to remember Richard too…

We got to see the Glenn Miller Mystery film that I was looking forward to watching in the Tin Hat Club. They had done a very good job in transferring the stage play onto film and I was pleased to see that they had used the same actors too. The fact that it was set in the buildings in Twinwood made it more real and creepy. I could see this being re-made for the big screen for sure!

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Mr Mew, taken by Kitten von Mew

One thing that completely made me wobbly was the fact that Max Raabe and his orchestra was staying at our hotel! I had a few little chats with the gents and they were lovely and wanted to try and play in England more as they only came over last year. It is amazing to think they have been around for so many years, yet the British vintage market is only just tapping into their talents!

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Max Raabe and some of his Palast Orchestra with Kitten von Mew. Taken by Mr Mew

Unfortunately when I was getting ready to go over to the small clubs, they were performing, so I had to sneak out and take a bit of video and a few photos when I could!

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Max Raabe at Twinwood taken by Kitten von Mew

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Max Raabe taken by Kitten von Mew

So roll on next year! Hope you all had a great time too, I saw soooo many people dressed up and having a good time!

Twinwood Festival 2012


Voted in the top 20 of UK festivals by The Telegraph 3 years running, Twinwood Festival is back for another great year! From 25th to 27th August, I will be there and performing Burlesque on the Saturday and Sunday evenings!

I am so excited as there will be a NEW entertainment marque, that can house 2000 people and not only will *swoon* Max Raabe be performing there…I will be too!

You will get to see my Lili Mewleen act in the Colonial Club, which was debuted at War and Peace Show this year and a fan dance with my ATS corset and some fun Gracie Fields songs to get you all singing along in Cafe du Bois and the Casablanca Club!

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Stocking Striptease by Kitten von Mew, Photography by Lee Parker

WW2 Pinup Kitten von Mew in ATS corset

Kitten von Mew in ATS corset, taken by Candee Photography

The fantastic Sticky Wicket band will be there, my gorgeous Madeline Brown and Lola Lamour…did I already say MAX RAABE?…and sooooo many more acts.

For a little history behind Twinwood, you may not know that this was the airfield that Glenn Miller made his last flight from, before disappearing. They have a fantastic museum on site, that you must go and visit on Sunday. It is open 10.30am til 4pm, so plenty of time to fit in some culture before you Shag on the dance floor (it’s a dance move Ma…).

Remember to save your pennies before the event as there are heaps of swell stalls selling vintage bric-a-brac, clothing, repro and Vintage Life Magazine too! Strut your stuff in the evening in a new outfit from one of the stalls!

On Sunday and Monday ‘The Last Flight’ will be shown twice daily in the Tin Hat at approx 2.30 and 7.00 each day. I saw the live stage play in Leamington Spa a year or more back and it was incredibly well done and truly spine chilling. I can’t wait to see how they have turned it into a film.

There is something going on all day and night, whether it is watching a singer, dancing to a band, learning a bit of swing or watching Burlesque, so whether you are into the 30’s, 40’s or 50’s, head on down to this amazing event!

FRIDAY EVENING
(Friday evening is open to onsite weekend camping ticket holders only)
STROLLIN’ STEVE & ROCKIN’ THE JOINT
(DANCE MARQUEE)
RICARDO GAZZINI (TIN HAT CLUB)
RUG CUTTERS DANCE (HANGAR)

SATURDAY – ARENA STAGE
PASADENA ROOF ORCHESTRA
STICKY WICKET & HIS SWING ORCHESTRA
MOSCOW DRUG CLUB
BOBBY VALENTINO & THE MUSICIANS
THE THREE BELLES AND THE BEVIN BOYS
MADELINE BROWN
THE TOOTSIE ROLLERS
RUG CUTTERS DANCERS
C&BLE DANCERS

SATURDAY – CONTROL TOWER STAGE
SI CRANSTOUN
THE HEP CHAPS
CARMEN GHIA & THE HOTRODS
OO BOP SH’BAM
GALAXIE BOB

SATURDAY – COLONIAL CLUB
MAX RAABE & PALAST ORCHESTER
KITTEN VON MEW
THE LAMOURS
CASABLANCA STEPS
HANNAH NORTHEDGE
ALEX & SERGE
THE TOOTSIE ROLLERS
TEA DANCE
FASHION SHOW
DANCE LESSONS
ALL DAY VINTAGE MARKET
AND MUCH MORE
HOSTED BY DUSTY LIMITS

SATURDAY – DANCE MARQUEE
STROLLIN’ STEVE & HIS MUSIC MACHINE
DANCE LESSONS
FASHION SHOW

SATURDAY – HANGAR
CHRIS REYNOLD’S SWING SHIFT
DANCE LESSONS

SATURDAY – TIN HAT CLUB
RICARDO GAZZINI & FRIENDS
AFTERNOON VARIETY SHOW
THE TOOTSIE ROLLERS
SINCERELY YOURS
RICHARD C PARKER
ANNIE ANDREWS
SAMANTHA HUGHES
HISTORICAL LECTURES

SATURDAY – CASABLANCA CLUB
CASABLANCA HOUSE BAND
HANNAH NORTHEDGE
MADELINE BROWN
KITTEN VON MEW
BELLY DANCING

SATURDAY – LE CAFE DE BOIS DE JUMEAU
FLEUR DE PARIS
MOSCOW DRUG CLUB
SWING MUSEUM
ALEX & SERGE
KITTEN VON MEW

LATE SATURDAY NIGHT – THE GLADE
SWING MUSEUM

SUNDAY – ARENA STAGE
MAX RAABE & PALAST ORCHESTER
JOHN MILLER & HIS ORCHESTRA
THE JIVE ACES
THE METROTONES
FLEUR DE PARIS
THE POLKA DOTS
SINCERELY YOURS
C&BLE DANCERS

SUNDAY – CONTROL TOWER STAGE
THE FIREBIRDS
CROWN TOP KINGS
PAUL ANSELL’S NUMBER NINE
LAURA B & THE MOONLIGHTERS
GALAXIE BOB

SUNDAY – COLONIAL CLUB

KITTEN VON MEW
CASABLANCA STEPS
MAINLINE BIG BAND (TEA DANCE)
ALEX & SERGE
FASHION SHOW
DANCE LESSONS
MISS VINTAGE AND MR VINTAGE PAGEANT
ALL DAY VINTAGE MARKET
AND MUCH MORE
HOSTED BY DUSTY LIMITS

SUNDAY – DANCE MARQUEE
STROLLIN’ STEVE & HIS MUSIC MACHINE
THE STROLLERS
DANCE LESSONS

SUNDAY – HANGAR
CHRIS REYNOLD’S SWING SHIFT
DANCE LESSONS

SUNDAY – TIN HAT CLUB
RICARDO GAZZINI & FRIENDS
HISTORICAL LECTURES

SUNDAY – CASABLANCA CLUB
CASABLANCA HOUSE BAND
MADELINE BROWN
KITTEN VON MEW
BELLY DANCING

SUNDAY – LE CAFE DE BOIS DE JUMEAU
FLEUR DE PARIS
MOSCOW DRUG CLUB
SWING MUSEUM
ALEX & SERGE
KITTEN VON MEW

LATE SUNDAY NIGHT – THE GLADE
MOSCOW DRUG CLUB

MONDAY – ARENA STAGE
THE BOMBSHELLETTES
KINGS CROSS HOT CLUB
THE ZOLTANS
LOLA LAMOUR
MADELINE BROWN
SINCERELY YOURS

MONDAY – CONTROL TOWER STAGE
THE REVOLUTIONAIRES
THE CAT FISH KINGS
THE JIVEOHOLICS
STROLLIN’ STEVE & HIS MUSIC MACHINE

MONDAY – COLONIAL CLUB
ALL DAY TEA DANCE
DJs RADIO FLYER, MAJOR SWING & KITTY
PLAYING THE BEST IN 30s & 40s DANCE MUSIC
AND VINTAGE MARKET

MONDAY – DANCE MARQUEE
STROLLIN’ STEVE & HIS MUSIC MACHINE
DANCE LESSONS

MONDAY – HANGAR
DANCE LESSONS

MONDAY – TIN HAT CLUB
HISTORICAL LECTURES

More War and Peace Show Photos!


Thought I would share a few more snaps with your from Beltring. Enjoy!

Air Raid Shelter Manhole Cover

This Air Raid Shelter Manhole Cover was for sale in the market place. Was very tempted to put a decimal point between the 4 and 55 so I could take it home. An amazing piece of history!

WW2 ATS Girls and Pinup

Such lovely girls! ATS reenactors in uniform and a thorn between them 😉

darren, lewis and kitten-von-mew

Was fantastic having my step sons at the show on the Saturday. Such lovely boys and they really enjoyed the show!

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Mimi and Mew Mew!

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The Not Forgotten Association and Kitten von Mew in the main marquee

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It’s parading cats and dogs! You can see the slight ‘Please don’t bite my face off’ look in my eyes. This is because the owner handed it to me whilst saying “Just don’t look him in the eyes and you’ll be fine…”

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Kitten von Mew with two VERY handsome gents.

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Posing on top of some ammunition boxes near the main marquee. Wearing a new playsuit from Big Beautiful Barbara Brown!

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Sue Hodge with my 2013 calendar. She loved July! Can’t wait to see this lovely lady next year.

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Awww…My little cousin Paul, who came to the show on the Sunday. Was great to see him at his 1st WWII event!