RSS Feed

Category Archives: WW2 History

Avoncroft Museum 1940’s Weekend 2023

Posted on October 21, 2023 by Kitten von Mew
Avoncroft Museum 1940’s Weekend 2023

Gossiping with with girls

Avoncroft is an open air museum in Bromsgrove that hosts several events throughout the year AND has a little light railway to boot!

One of the most popular events is their 1940’s weekend and time there were a few changes. We were treated to vintage stalls (huzzah!) and a fashion show, that I was proud to be part of.

1940’s Post Woman Uniform

I was incredibly nervous on the Saturday as it was the first time singing since Severn Valley Railway and only my second singing event since my operation! I have to be so careful with my voice now and can only do short sets or I could permanently destroy my singing voice. Luckily Guy Roles (Avoncroft entertainment organiser and UK 1940s Radio Station presenter) completely understood. He did all he could to make sure I did everything right! Last time I sang I lost my singing voice for 4 months, so I’m following my surgeon’s strict advice from now on.

I managed to look around a few of the displays on Sunday, but vintage heels and boggy grass don’t mix! The buildings make a fantastic backdrop for the troops though and some groups even stay in the barns overnight! Remember how chilly it gets in October?

American troops in the Tudor barn

So keep your eye out for events at this lovely museum. They have a fabulous windmill, a 1940’s prefab (my favourite), a cafe selling gorgeous handmade cakes (the lime and passion fruit was amazing!) and so much more to wander round and see.

Leave a comment

Posted in Events and Performances, WW2 History and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Avoncroft WW2 Weekend 2022

Posted on October 17, 2022 by Kitten von Mew
Avoncroft WW2 Weekend 2022

This weekend I sang at Avoncroft Museum’s WW2 Weekend! The event had only been organised in 6 weeks, so I knew it wouldn’t be as rammed with reenactors and stalls as it would’ve been. The open air museum is vast and has a large range of buildings from 1800’s to a 40’s prefab! They even have a vintage showman’s carriage (my favourite).

There were some allies forces (Brits and Yanks), with a spattering of military vehicles. The setup looked great against the old buildings and you just couldn’t take a bad photos!

Mr Mew
Kitten Von Mew taken by MJ Wartog!

Remember folks… please don’t clamber on/ in or touch people’s vehicles without their permission! It’s very bad form! ALWAYS ask permission and they are allowed to say ‘no’ as it is their pride and joy. I asked obviously!!!

It was wonderful to catch up with my good friend Mark and see his new (to him) Willy’s Jeep name Bouncin’ Babe! Mark also overseas my official Facebook page when I’m too busy, so he is ace.

Mark and Kitten
Bouncin’ Babe! This set was taken by Mr Mew.

I managed to do a bit of modelling for Heyday Vintage at the same time, which was swell! This is the new Josephine dress I have teamed with Lulu Hun shoes, a gorgeous crocheted bag by Doodlebug Bags and a vintage hat.

As ever, I was super-nervous about my voice coping! Last weekend I lost my voice and last year, at a different Avoncroft event, I lost my singing voice and couldn’t do the second day! So all week I was inwardly panicking, drinking my weight in hot ginger and trying not to raise my voice too much.

Huzzah! My voice held up beautifully and I made sure to take care of it between sets too. I had great feedback both days and met some absolutely wonderful people. it was super to see Guy Roles once more and to meet The Vintage Class Singers for the first time.

Lindy Lou Shelby and Kitten Von Mew in the Guesten Hall on Saturday.

As well as the buildings, Avoncroft also has a mini railway; much to the joy of children and land girls alike!

Betsy and I had a go and it was lovely! Only 50p a ride and a nice little bit of fun to end the day.

Although a very much scaled down event, it was superb and everyone I spoke to has a brilliant time. Thank you to all the organisers and volunteers who pulled off the event in such a short amount of time!

Leave a comment

Posted in Day to Day, Events and Performances, Fashion and Shopping, modelling, WW2 History and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Purple Eyebrows at Bletchley Park

Posted on September 25, 2022 by Kitten von Mew
Purple Eyebrows at Bletchley Park

Things have gone a bit pear shaped recently. This week for instance; I had been desperately getting a steampunk outfit ready for next weekend. As they were planning a 1000 Leagues Under the Sea Dance, I thought I would create mermaid-y hair and tried a temporary purple with green hair wax. The same evening I got a message stating that the event had been cancelled and I was devastated. So much so that I didn’t wash out the colour. The next day I was playing badminton with some chums, so had a shower and…it wouldn’t wash out. Well, the green came off my hair, but stayed on my scalp and the purple had actually turned dark blue, that had now gone blue and grey.

Betsy getting her ID card stamped

I got some extra strength colour stripper for my hair and some of my favourite orangey-red hair dye, ready to go back to my normal vivacious tangerine! Sooooooo, the hair stripper didn’t work particularly well and neither did the hair colourant.

Kitten Von Mew entertaining one of the stallholders!

Skip forward to today and there I was, going to Bletchley Park, with grey-blue, browny-orange hair that I tried desperately to camouflage in victory rolls and a hat. This was bad enough, but I also had a wardrobe malfunction before leaving. I had wanted to wear my original 1940’s green suit and the metal zipper broke when I was doing the skirt up. So I quickly put on a dress that was too big (but didn’t need ironing) and some 40’s style platform shoes…nope, the platform soles decided that now was a great time to disintegrate. I swapped to my Miss L Fire’s and we hot-stepped it out of the door.

Alan Turing’s Office

Cut to the car journey, where I was FaceTiming the folks and I caught a glimpse of myself in the sun visor mirror.

“Why the hell didn’t anyone tell me I had purple eyebrows?!”

Children’s ‘Mickey Mouse’ Gas mask. they were blue and red with a nose flap that made a silly noise when you breathed out.
Hurricane flypast

I was in such a panic to get ready and makeup on that I hadn’t been paying attention to the brush I used to apply the brown tint to my brows. It has obviously been used for pink or red lipstick beforehand and I hadn’t realised.

Cut back to the car journey and scrubbing with a wet wipe only seemed to create a brighter purple and a lilac haze on the skin around my brows.

Karen, The Heritage Milliner and Shona of Heyday Vintage!

So I went to the Bletchley Park 1940’s Weekend with bluey-grey, orangey-brown hair and purple eyebrows in an oversized dress and still had a wonderful time. Sometimes you just need to suck up the stress, see the funny side and enjoy each splendid, silly, memorable moment.

And hey, I can always desaturate the photos!

2 Comments

Posted in Day to Day, Events and Performances, Fashion and Shopping, WW2 History and tagged , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Ironbridge 1940’s Day at The Boat Inn

Posted on September 10, 2022 by Kitten von Mew

We are just in the car, heading back from a wonderful day in picturesque Ironbridge.

The 1940’s Day was hosted by the team behind the annual WW2 Weekend and was another great way to raise money for COMBAT STRESS.

There were vintage military vehicles, information stands, reenactors with American, British, German and French Resistance setups and myself and Ava Evergreen entertaining!

I have, as yet, not been able to sing at the full weekend event because of other bookings, but it was a wonderful little setup and certainly attracted a good amount of people.

Just a 5 minute walk away was an amazing craft centre (squeal!!!!!) that I didn’t have time to explore, but the coffee shop did a lovely breakfast to fuel our day and prepare me for my first set.

The Naval Officer’s car (or command car?) was certainly my favourite there and I could have quite happily trundled home in that beauty!

Everyone had very good, informative dioramas and we chatted to the French Resistance people for quite a while. Each group were very approachable and eager to answer question or show you interesting artifacts.

The chap smiling above was amazingly knowledgeable about British kit and we had a great chat about hand grenades. I’m ashamed to say that I didn’t know anything about the Bakelite ones. Now, my reenactor friends will be rolling their eyes at me right now, but I’ve only ever seen the pineapples and the sticks. I may have just not realised until now what they were!

The idea was to unscrew the cap, throw the grenade and then a cotton tape would unwind. The weight of the lead tab at the end pulled out the pin to detonate the grenade.

So I hope you’ve enjoyed this little post. Thank you to everyone who came, Dave Adams for booking me and Rosie and everyone at COMBAT STRESS. I hope you raised lovely amount of money!

The dress I was wearing today is by Heyday Online and is a BRAND NEW Mary dress, with long sleeves! I’m wearing a size 14, with a corset underneath to accentuate my curves. Because of the cut, it frames my cinched waist as well as fitting beautifully at my natural waist size too!

3 Comments

Posted in Day to Day, Events and Performances, modelling, WW2 History and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

VE Day 75 Celebrations 2020

Posted on May 9, 2020 by Kitten von Mew
VE Day 75 Celebrations 2020

008 ve day - mew family web

Who would’ve thought that in these uncertain days of isolation that we could get so many people together (safely distanced) in joyful celebration and remembrance.

007 ve day - Chris, Janet and Eve web

Flags were flying, bunting hung and the atmosphere was buzzing with excitement as the whole street prepared for the 75th anniversary of VE Day. This special day celebrates Winston Churchill’s famous speech that WW2 was finally over.

012 ve day - decorations web007 ve day - Bunting web

This anniversary has come at a time where community spirit is again so important in keeping spirits lifted in a difficult time.

014 ve day - kitten von mew web

On thursday evening Richard and I did a Zoom video interview for Studio 10, an Australian news programme on Channel 10. It aired at 11.40am Sydney time, although due to the time difference, we had to do the video call at 10.15pm!

On Friday morning at 9am I had a visit from the BBC Coventry and Warwickshire van and was interviewed live about the day’s upcoming events.

002 ve day - kitten singing web003 ve day - kitten von mew singing web

At 11.30am I started my live singing set, which was also featured on Facebook for those in carehomes, hospitals, workplaces and homes worldwide. Viewers in America, France, Germany, Australia and Britain all joined me as I sang a selection of 1940’s classics to my neighbours and the photographer from Stratford Herld. I had a slight hiccup in Watch the Birdie, when my ‘mummy head’ clicked in as betsy hurt her finger. All words went out of my head as I watched and mentally checked that she was ok, whilst mumbling incoherent nonsense through the microphone. Ok, good Richard is getting her a plaster. BHAM! Back to singing head. Where am I in the song? Shoot this is going out live! Ok, just smile and look like you know what you’re doing… “Watch the Birdie, let’s take a candied camera shot, Watch the Birdie come on let’s give it all you’ve got, Watch the Birdie just  pick a flop-n-derp-n-bop and hold it!” ha ha ha!

010 ve day - remembrance bench web

I decided to raise funds for Combat Stress, my favourite charity, who help veterans young and old (as well as their families) dealing with depression, PTSD and anxiety. There are already too many vets dealing with homelessness, addiction and psychological problems associated with their time fighting for their country. Combat Stress is here to assist those struggling. For those who would like to donate, you can do so HERE and 100% of the donations will go to the charity. The link will be active for 2 weeks after VE Day, do if it is no longer working, you can contact me directly!

005 ve day - Betty web006 ve day - Julie and her dad web009 ve day - Sascha and family web

It was so wonderful seeing everyone enjoying themselves and coming together as a proud nation. It just shows that even in these depressing and worrying times, we can create strength and joy to see us through.

022 ve day - neighbours web020 ve day - neighbours web019 ve day - neighbours web018 ve day - neighbours web011 ve day - Jenny, Bobby and Lucy web015 ve day - neighbours web017 ve day - vintage singer web016 ve day - combat stress singer web

There was music playing, people having picnics and BBQ’s and even an ice cream wagon giving out free ice creams and waffles! Thank you to all who made the day so incredible special and memorable, and remember…just  pick a flop-n-derp-n-bop and hold it!

023 ve day - perks ice cream truck web

021 ve day - thankyou card web024 ve day - spam sandwiches and scones web

Leave a comment

Posted in Day to Day, Events and Performances, Home and Leisure, WW2 History and tagged , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Echoes of History Show 2019

Posted on August 11, 2019 by Kitten von Mew
Echoes of History Show 2019

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!

I loved singing in the marquee! A mix of 30’s to early 60’s, it went down really well and I even got an encore on my last set!

So what was my highlight? A ride on a tank. Wow what a high!

Leave a comment

Posted in Day to Day, Events and Performances, WW2 History and tagged , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Festival of the Forties

Posted on July 25, 2019 by Kitten von Mew
Festival of the Forties

008 Festival of forties pinup tank web

It was my first time performing at Festival of the Forties and having never been to this particular 1940’s event, I was unsure what to expect!

001 Festival of forties web

The first thing that struck me was the amount of reenactor displays around the edge of the field. There seemed to be more reenactors than public, which really surprised me. The groups had obviously gone to great lengths with their living history displays and they deserved far more people oggling their hard work!

010 Festival of forties display web

011 Festival of forties richard von mew web

I was performing in the main marquee and was pleased to see my friend Woody at War. He is one of the best DJ’s on the circuit and always a great help. The weather was scorching, so it was an oven on that stage! Although the heat was slowly baking us to a crisp, there was a very dedicated couple, who were fantastic dancers. They certainly added life to the show and it was a pleasure to watch them as I sang my way through the 1940’s classics.

Another familiar face was my Facebook friend Hiroki. I have not seen him since I used to perform at War and Peace Show each year. Hiroki travels all the way from Japan every year to take part in UK WWII events. The other wonderful thing is that he even wears his grandfather’s original wartime uniform!

004 Festival of forties web

The piece de resistance was definitely the battle reenactment. As viewers, you were close to the action and fully engrossed in what was going on. A stand-off between American and German troops took place before our very eyes, using foot soldiers, Jeeps, a German bike with sidecar, tank and artillery. It was Betsy Rose’s first reenactment and she was absorbed with the action (but donning ear protectors as she is no good with loud noises).

005 Festival of forties reenactment web

006 Festival of forties reenactment web

007 Festival of forties reenactment web

The only thing I would’ve liked to have seen at the show was more vintage stalls and more healthy eateries (like the greek chaps I have seen at some shows), but this is just my personal opinion and certainly doesn’t effect the show. It was just so hot that I didn’t want greasy fish and chips, hot pie and mash and don’t like spicy stuff!

008 Festival of forties flyover web

I am still surprised that the footfall wasn’t greater as the event is obviously going to grow and grow each year. Maybe it just takes word of mouth to get the show the visitors it deserves.

009 Festival of forties tank kitten von mew web

008 Festival of forties tank web

Leave a comment

Posted in Day to Day, Events and Performances, WW2 History and tagged , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Vintage Photoshoot with CSN Photography at GWSR

Posted on April 14, 2019 by Kitten von Mew

In early March I had the pleasure of working with Chris Nicholls of CSN Photography! We visited the beautiful and peaceful GWSR as they prepared for yet another busy season. The weather was questionable, but we made the most of the odd sunny spell between the showers!

So here are my top pick pics for you! In the 1940’s themed images I am wearing an original 40’s swing coat, crepe dress and hat. The shoes are from Johnson’s Originals. In the 50’s/60’s images I am wearing an original novelty print vintage dress and Clark’s Shoes.

I am very much looking forward to shooting with CSN Photography again. As he is used to frequenting at vintage military events, Chris has a keen eye for detail! It’s a shame we couldn’t shoot more of the dress, but it was flipping cold at this point and the weather was really turning!

Leave a comment

Posted in Fashion and Shopping, modelling, WW2 History and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Remembrance Sunday 2018

Posted on November 12, 2018 by Kitten von Mew

KVM_11-4

As you all know, Remembrance Sunday 2018 marked 100 years since the end of the First World War. This has obviously been the main focus of this year’s anniversary, with remembrance poppies being significant to the fallen of the Great War.

One of the most iconic symbols in the UK to be associated with war, the poppies pay homage to fallen servicemen, women and animals that have served and fallen.  The paper versions you may purchase each year to adorn your lapel are actually made by disabled or impaired veterans.  These have been created since 1922 (albeit the originals were made of silk) and are a significant part of our Remembrance Days and services.

KVM_11-6

This year there has been an abundance; created by the W.I., crafting individuals, church groups, schools and more. The public displays have been breathtaking and in some cases extremely moving.

A few years ago I thought it would be nice to start a Post Remembrance Service Cafe in Snitterfield so that people could warm themselves with a nice cup of tea and piece of cake.

KVM_11-41

Angie Tomes (with a sprinkling of volunteer helpers) has helped me turn this 2 hour event into a yearly one that raises money for a different charity each year.

KVM_11-11

A charity very close to my own heart is Combat Stress, which started in 1922 and helped rehabilitate veterans suffering from shell shock after the war. Instead of shutting them away in a mental hospital, this charity would use things like basket weaving to focus their minds, relax and socialise. To this day, the charity help ex-servicemen and women suffering with depression, anxiety, shell shock and other mental illnesses with the aid of creativity and specialist therapists.

KVM_11-1

First and foremost, thank you to everyone who donated cakes, money and their time! The cafe was busier than ever and it really was an incredible event. I must apologise for my sound system playing up! I battled through as best I could and have now found the error, so next year will be back up to scratch!

KVM_11-20KVM_11-32

After the cafe, we headed to St. Mary’s Church in Cubbington. Well, what a gorgeous little church! Not only was it pretty to begin with, but the amount of poppies and displays were incredible. I got to sing in front of a packed crowd and felt very honoured to be part of such a special day. We managed to collect just over £312 for Combat Stress!

IMG_0131IMG_0134

Thank you to Charlotte Doran Davies for the wonderful photos from Snitterfield and to Trevor Wright for the ones at Cubbington!

Leave a comment

Posted in Day to Day, Events and Performances, WW2 History. Bookmark the permalink.

Percival Prince T1 Aircraft

Posted on September 27, 2018 by Kitten von Mew
Percival Prince T1 Aircraft

Today I had a shoot at a fantastic location. I’ve travelled past this derelict aircraft since I was a little girl and always found it striking. Sat on a hump of earth at the entrance to Long Marston Airfield, it pays homage to the history of a place now destined for a life as a housing estate.

The airfield was built in 1941 and was home to the RAF, local WAAF, training corp and others, until it was decommissioned in 1954. It was intended to be a satellite station and training unit for a new bomber, but in the end the Air Ministry decided on another base (Honeybourne).

RAF flight training, missions to the Middle East and Gibraltar and Wellington Bombers all took off from Long Marston.

It eventually lay abandoned, full of WW2 building, decommissioned aircraft and parts until the original farming family took it over once more. Since then it has had a WW2 museum (unfortunately no longer there), festivals such as the Bulldog Bash and drag racing amongst others!

The Percival Prince T1 at its entrance was originally from the museum, brought over from Cosford. The training version of the Percival Sea Prince C1, it is an early post war British aircraft used predominantly by the Royal Navy.

The original paintwork would’ve been nothing like this American fighter plane look, but the I still think that the graffiti artist has done a fantastic job of giving this abandoned shell some life once more. The inside has been pretty much gutted, most likely by the adventure seeking teens and festival goers that have been here in the past.

I really hope that after the housing estate has been completed, this important relic will still be guarding the entrance; a testament to this incredibly important piece of local history.

All photos taken by and copyright Kitten von Mew.

Leave a comment

Posted in Day to Day, WW2 History and tagged , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.
← Older Posts
→