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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 😉

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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!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lili Mewleen Act Debuted at Beltring 2012


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Lili Mewleen Burlesque Act starring Kitten von Mew, War and Peace Show 2012. Photo by Lee Parker

 

I have just received some great photos from Lee Parker of my new Lili Marleen inspired act, so I thought I would share some with you all!

My very talented Mr Mew made the lamp from scratch and I made my pasties, fascinator, train and garter. The dress once belonged to a drag queen (who has passed away, rest his soul). I stripped it of all the black ruffles, tassel trim, netting and fake boob inserts and designed it into a sleek and sexy gown with rhinestones and turquoise trimmings.

The gorgeous corset is actually from Vollers Corsets! When I did my interview for The One Show at the corset factory, I got to see some lovely designs that weren’t even for sale. I saw these zip down corsets and thought they were a brilliant idea! They are still tight lace with metal boning, but have a ‘quick release’ function with a very heavy duty, military grade zipper at the side. Determined for other corset lovers to see these unique designs, I vowed to wear one in an act to demonstrate how easy and sexily them come off! No more tangled lacing! Hurrah!
I wrote a parody of Lili Marleen as well as sang The Boys in the Backroom for Terry Elliot! You can see this act next at Twinwood Festival 2012!

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“On my lovely dress vet paint I find, I take zee car, I sink next time…” Kitten von Mew in Lili Mewleen. Photo by Lee Parker

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“I’m Lili of ze lamp light, vet paint, Lili Marleen….”, Kitten von Mew by Lee Parker

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The Vollers Corset, War and Peace Show 2012, taken by Lee Parker

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POW! Taken by Lee Parker

burlesque stocking striptease kitten von mew

Stocking Striptease by Kitten von Mew, Photography by Lee Parker

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Corset striptease, Kitten von Mew. Taken by Lee Parker

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Kitten von Mew fan dance photographed by Lee Parker

 

 

 

 

 

 

War and Peace 2012 Video – Boobie Woogie Bugle Boy


A Great video taken by my gorgeous friend Lee Parker of my family friendly Boobie Woogie routine with the alternative ATS costume (‘Almost Totally Starkers’ as I like to call it!). Thanks Lee!

Big Beautiful Barbara Brown


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Big Beautiful Barbara Brown Patriotic Playsuit, modelled by Kitten von Mew, Taken by Mr Mew

There are very few repro vintage shops that I really like. The main let down is fabric patterns (and materials on some occasion) more reminiscent of a 1980’s Neighbours wedding ceremony and the lack of authenticity of style.

Everyone knows what a fiend I am for Heyday Online, but I also wanted to draw your attention to Big Beautiful Barbara Brown, who also makes 1940’s and 50’s style women’s clothing.
I was lucky enough to receive a satin playsuit and a GORGEOUS floral dress that has a circle skirt and tie at the chest.

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Big Beautiful Barbara Brown Dress modelled by Kitten von Mew. Taken by Mr Mew

There are a great choice of fabrics and colours and on some things you can choose your own from swatches on the website, making your item rather bespoke! You can select the top half of the play suit and then the bottom half, just for £50! Craaaaaazy!

She has dresses, evening gowns, tops, shorts, playsuits and more. Go take a look…

War and Peace 2012 Photos


Swing Time Sweethearts and Kitten Von Mew at War and Peace Show

Swing Time Sweethearts, Richard and Kitten Von Mew at War and Peace Show 2012

Well, I cannot believe another year of Beltring is over! Thanks to everyone who made the trip so enjoyable, especially Paul Harper and the entertainers, Terry Elliot, Vintage Military Magazine, Mr Mew and his family, and of course everyone who came to watch my act!

Kitten von Mew War and Peace 2012

Kitten von Mew with Terry Elliot, Ashley Elliot and Rex Cadman, War and Peace 2012. Taken by Mr Mew

The weather was ‘squidgily temperamental’ when we got there with slashes of heavy tire tracks all over the caravan field. Mr Mew did a brave job of ploughing through the banked-up mud in Big Bettie, towing Gracie Wheels.

The temperature stayed mild, making the days so much more enjoyable, although it did rain at night. The great thing about the South East is the sandy soil, which drains the water rather quickly. It was very strange though as although the surface crisped up, underneath was waterlogged, so you felt as if you were walking across someone’s water bed or a big duvet!

Pearly King War and Peace

Pearly King and Princess, taken by Kitten von Mew

I debuted my new act Lili Mewleen at the show and it seemed to go down very well. I was really pleased with everyone’s reaction to the costume too. It has been a while since I did a proper striptease at the show and as I had 2 adult performances this year, I made the most of my zip-sided Vollers Corset! Everyone was gob smacked that Richard had made my incredible lamp post prop too!

In the daytime I brushed off my old ‘Boobie Woobie Bugle Boy’ act from when I first performed with the USO, this time with a new costume. No sleaze, just some lovely ostrich fan action and live singing!
We had a few accidents whilst we were there (which made the week hilarious), including…

Mr Mew:

Dropping his baked beans on the floor and asking why the bean fairies hadn’t come to clean it up.

Breaking the front door handle clean off, so resorting to climbing through the toilet window and breaking down the internal door!

Asking me to move my cup of tea whilst he get the bedding out, so he didn’t spill it over. I moved it right over the opposite side…only for Mr Mew to send it flying.

 

Mrs Mew:

Burnt toast

Forgetting my lyrics and inhaling fur from my cape so I had to try not to have a coughing fit through my act!

The stalls at the show were yet again full of a lot of ‘man stuff’, but I got some FANTASTIC things!

WW2 Collectibles Stall

WW2 Collectibles Stall, War and Peace 2012. Taken by Kitten von Mew

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WWII Antiques, War and Peace 2012. Taken by Kitten von Mew

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WWII Memorabilia. Check out the hand painted pebble! Taken by Kitten von Mew

 

 

My buys:

An 1800’s ship porthole from a sunken boat off the coast of Devon (£20!)

A Woodbines cigarette, trench art photo frame made out of 42 packets (£priced at £18, got for £10!)

A Kings Coronation mug that Ive always wanted (priced at £28, got for £20)

2 gorgeous 40’s silk crepe dresses

An amazing deep red 30’s coat with red fox fur cuffs and fox stole collar

A 1930’s silk pajama top I will use as a blouse

A trench art bomb shell ashtray I gave to my cousin as a thank you for coming to the show

A brocade dress scarf for Mr Mew with a woven design of trains and a couple in Paris

Some Art Deco GWR brass buttons (£5 the lot!)

A dated pair of ATS stockings with a military arrow! (£4!)

A gorgeous brown felt 1940’s peaked tilt hat

A WWII Scottish War Dept poster saying ‘VICTORY starts in the Kitchen (£25?!)
I also found Mr Mew a wonderful 1930’s Crombie suit which has never been worn. Can’t believe I got it for £40. It is gorgeous and will be a great excuse to wear some different ties!

Kitten von Mew and Jive Aces

Kitten, Peter from Jive Aces and Gary Gibbs at Beltring!

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Veterans at the Sunday Service. Taken by Kitten von Mew

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To melt the coldest of hearts. A modern day soldier offering himself as a step for a WWII veteran.

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Lee Parker and I at the Saturday Dance! Taken by Mr Mew

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Bagpipers. Apparently they don’t do requests. Taken by Kitten von Mew

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Richard with his boys Lewis and Darren. One very proud Pa! Taken by Kitten von Mew

 

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Military WW1 Truck detailing by Kitten von Mew

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WW1 Trench, my favourite diorama at the show! Taken by Kitten von Mew

 

Will post more soon!

 

 

Wartime in the Vale Video


I wanted to share this video with you, taken by Olivia Orchid of Shadowflower Photography at Wartime in the Vale 2012. It is the first time Ive seen a proper video of Mr Mew and I dancing and it was so nice to see!

Military World Magazine Launching at Beltring!


military world magazine

As our beloved WWII Reenactors Magazine has bitten the dust (*sob*), it is about time someone filled that empty void for us!  Well, Dave King has saved the day with Military World Magazine!

I have kindly been asked to write some more articles, so look out for my tuppence worth in each issue. The first one is due out at the War and Peace Show, so make sure you get your copy and support a British publication!

The magazine will feature reenacting groups, history, suppliers and more!

War & Peace Show 2012 – Boggy Beltring


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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!

Kitten will be at Retro Revival, 22nd Sept 2012!


Retro Revival 1940s Event

So Mr. Moo emailed me earlier today and said something on the lines of “Well gee-whizz Mrs Mew, did you see the fabulous image Retro Revival are using on their advertisement of you?”

As I had never heard of the event I went and had a peek…Low and behold it is being organised by my gorgeously purrfect pals at Friends of the 40’s!

I have performed in Manchester and Sheffield, but never Liverpool and Ian and Sam have invited me to make an appearance at the event! I will be performing at Goodwood Revival the weekend before and am determined NOT to get laryngitis this time, so hopefully I will be singing for you at Retro Revival and will pose for photos too! You will see me in my ATS corset along with another vintage outfit (coverage will depend on the weather).

So if you are around the Merseyside area or looking for a 1940’s event more “Up t’ North like”, pop along to this Saturday event!

Kitten Meets Brian Blessed


I always think fondly of Brian Blessed for his roles as Spiro in My Family and Other Animals and of course Prince Vultan in Flash Gordon. From an incredible singing voice in cats to a voice over in Star Wars Phantom Menace, this cheerful and approachable chap has done it all…oh yes and climbed Everest…

Well it just so happened that today I got to meet one of my Bucket List Celebrities! I was lucky as he was about to leave the event, but on seeing me bellowed “Where have you been? Ive been waiting for you my whole life!” I had brought him along one of my calendars as a gift and he was so interested in my love of the 40’s and said that he never wanted to grow up out of those eras.

Brian Blessed and Kitten von Mew

Brian Blessed and Kitten von Mew with her 2013 Calendar!

I then asked if he wouldn’t mind signing a mug for me. An odd request I know, but I bought this antique mug from a carboot sale for putting a pincushion in and have become rather fond of it. As it has a mountain climber design and a blank back, I thought it would be the perfect souvenir of our meeting!

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Brian Blessed’s autograph on the back of my vintage mug. Im presuming it is 1930’s by the look of it. Best £3 I ever spent!

I had in fact met Brian when I was about 16, but was too star struck to approach him back then. I managed to do some work experience at a local film company (that I later worked for before it closed down). He was doing some voice over work for a documentary on Everest and would walk into the small office building with a booming ‘HELLOOOOOO!” He wouldn’t have remembered me. Back then I had purple hair and hid under baggy jumpers and tartan trousers…

So that was my 30 minute lunch break, what did you do with yours?