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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.

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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!

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War & Peace Show 2012 – Boggy Beltring

Posted on July 12, 2012 by Kitten von Mew

ello-ello-cast-kitten-von-mew

All I can say is BRING YOUR WELLIES (or your ‘Rubbers’ as my American friend Stephanie calls them…hee hee hee!).

The fields are water-logged, the dirt will be churned from vehicle movement and foot glamour will be on hold this year!

Contrary to most people’s thoughts on the classic green, the first Dunlop Wellington Boots were matte black rubber, so if you have some, bring them for an authentic touch!

1940’s Dunlop Wellington Boot Factory, Liverpool

Why not tuck some trousers into them for a Women’s Land Army Look? Don’t forget to carry some dance shoes in your bag/ wicker basket for some much needed dancing in the main marquee!

Also, more great news is that some of the original cast from ‘Allo ‘Allo will be doing a skit in the main marquee at around 2pm on a  few days of the event! Im mortified that I will be getting changed for my performance at 2.30pm at that point, but so glad they will be back again as they were a hoot last year!

Well, I will be there from Wednesday to Sunday, performing every day and some evenings, so I hope you catch a performance. Most of the child friendly performances will be my Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy performance, with an improved costume! This was the first act I ever did with the USO Shows and it will be nice to bring it back again. My new Lili Mewleen act will mostly be used for the adult evening shows, but I will do some family friendly shows too.

See you there Catnips!

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