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.
Coat by Heyday Vintage. Hat, muff and collar by The Heritage Milliner.
As some of you are aware, I had a growth between my voicebox and thyroid. It was growing and pushing into my airways, giving me some obvious issues that needed an operation. After trying 2 specialists in my local area, I travelled down to Worcestershire for a final try. Yet another saying that they would be able to save my singing voice (scar tissue on the voicebox after the procedure can change pitch, vibrato or even leave you unable to sing in tune).
He could see how devastated I was, as I explained how much my singing meant to me. He knew of a surgeon at Guys Hospital in London that had been successful in a similar operation and referred me to Mr. Simo. So after heading to London Bridge on several occasions for tests, scans, measurements, bloods etc, I was told that the lump had a few irregular cells and was getting bigger. It needed to come out this year as, you know, breathing is pretty important. So I had July or December to choose from and wanted to fulfil my summer bookingS, PLUS get my head around the situation. After the op, I would need to rest my singing voice for anything from 6 to 12 months before training it back up and hoping for the best. It made me very tearful for obvious reasons.
So a snowy Monday came around and Mr Mew took me down to London. My appointment was booked for 7am, so we strolled around Camden in the late afternoon and got lost in the labyrinth of shops. I had to go and visit Cyberdog to satisfy the the 20 year old me (cheaper fabrics, but a few cool things) and Collectif, which was my first time in one of their physical shops!
After an obvious sleepless night, we walked to the hospital at 6.15am and my adventure started. I was first in to the operating theatre, so out on the 2 hospital gowns, support socks and bed socks. I just needed some black rock boots and it could’ve been a Vivienne Westwood ensemble. There were more forms, questions etc and then I was taken through to have my general anaesthetic. I just remember the needle and oxygen and I was out like a light.
Actually no. I remember seeing a line of squirrels on the windowsill before going under. I then had several nurses telling me I had SUNG to these non-existent squirrels as I went under. I have not found out what I was singing, but it would’ve been 40’s I think.
I was in Post-op for about 9 hours, awaiting a ward bed to come free. This was one of the most gruelling bits. I managed to eat a tuna sandwich and orange at about 11.30am, but then wasn’t offered anything. I was fine with that as knew I’d get a hot meal on the ward. But time went on and on and the nurse was still having no luck. At midday they said they were deep cleaning and then I found out they gave my bed away, so more waiting. It was frustrating, but the skeleton staff were all doing their best.
The wait was worth it though, as I was given a private room on a brand new ward that was opening for young adults. The only downside? It was so late that kitchen was closed and all they could offer me was an egg sandwich. When you are already feeling nauseous, it’s not a good option, but I needed to eat. So I managed half and a sweet tea. I got a little sleep between having to take medication and blood pressure around 11pm and 4am.
I had a drain fitted, which looked like a vampire’s medallion, but think I pulled it off thanks to the metal staples in my neck, balancing it all out. I was due to go home that day, so celebrated by doing festive makeup and awaiting the nurse at 2pm!
Mr. Simo checked up on me and said that he was able to skirt round the vocal chords and only had to remove half my thyroid, so no lasting damage had been done. My speaking voice is fine, but I am rather breathless and will still have to rest my singing voice for a couple of weeks, whilst the swelling goes down. I burst into tears with happiness!!!!
I had brought a mini notepad with me as I didn’t know if I would have any speaking voice after the op, so used it to doodle in instead.
Unfortunately the mini bottle of doom was too full and they needed to keep me in for another night, just incase of an abscess.
So Thursday rolls around and thankfully my vampire shot flask was not as full, so I was able to leave in the late afternoon and we arrived home just before 10pm, as London traffic is so bad at the moment.
A massive thank you to the staff who looked after me, made me laugh, cleaned the room, made me numerous cups of tea and jugs of water and kept my anxieties at bay. I know a lot would have wanted to be striking, but they put patients first, which was tough for them.
Also a huge thank you to my wonderful friends, family and followers, who have been so supportive through a very unsure and stressful time. Hopefully my voice will be back up and warbling by March time if I treat it well.
Well firstly… HAPPY NEW YEAR! Let’s hope this year holds better news for all of us!
Just before my New Year’s Eve gig
Obviously in light of Covid, all my booked events and care home gigs were cancelled last year. It was a miserable feeling and unsettling time (notice how I’m using past tense as I’m determined that 2021 will be slightly better?), but I did receive a couple of Zoom gig requests, which made me feel slightly less useless to the world.
It is always funny, watching videos of other people’s dysfunctional Zoom meetings on YouTube. Children interrupting news reporter parents, cats deciding that world domination should start by destroying one laptop at a time, people forgetting to properly leave meetings; subjecting their workmates to nakedness, preparation of online porn watching and more besides.
Luckily I haven’t recorded my own personal experiences, but they will certainly be embedded in my memories for a long time!
My first online gig was for a wonderful felting group. They could meet for their annual summer meet-up, so hosted an online version with tutorials and chat. I was the half time entertainment for this fabulous fibre-pricking faction and set myself up in the garden with backdrop, props, PA system and laptop. I asked Mr. Mew to entertain little one whilst I was singing, but this seemed to loosely translate into ‘please let her go into the garden, play loudly, then fall over.’ I tried to carry on regardless, but had to excuse myself and pick up screaming child myself. The show went on and I added a couple of extra songs as way of apology to the filters. They were wonderful, fun, great company… and I haven’t heard from them since…
Cut to yesterday when I was booked last minute to perform a 49 minute singing set on zoo for a care home! Huzzah! With a little help, I was set up in a quiet room with a PA system, spotlight and laptop. No children, no cats, no problems! All was going brilliantly until about 3/4 of the way through. I was mid song when I heard a ‘POP!’. It threw me for a second and I had to fight to remember the lyrics, whilst pretending to absentmindedly look behind me. I thought I had accidentally knocked a glass bauble off the Christmas tree behind me, but there was no evidence on the floor, so I turned back to camera. As I carried on, my eyes got distracted by a wispy movement above the laptop. Suddenly I focused on…SMOKE. It started to plume rather generously from the spotlight unit and I realised that this wasn’t just a little ‘pop’, the unit was on fire. I excused myself for a second, whilst we got the light outside. The room was full of smoke, but I apologised and continued the concert as windows were opened around me and frosty air filled the room. I tried to control my composure as all I wanted to do was burst out laughing! An extra song was added and I had a brilliant time entertaining them all from my cold, smokey setting. Thank goodness things didn’t get more serious!
Have you had anything crazy happen in online meetings or chats? I would love to hear yours!
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!
Well it even started to snow in my performance yesterday, adding to the magical atmosphere of Stratford’s Victorian Christmas Market!
Looking forward to seeing you all AND the wonderful festival lights, when I sing at 5.40pm today!
As we are not getting paid for these performances, I have decided to raise money for Combat Stress. Please, please would you mind offering up any spare change that you can to raise money for psychological support for our veterans?
I had a wonderful time in Bournemouth when I went there to perform at a Blitz Ball! I have never really walked around the town before, but once you look passed the chain stores, there are some real treasures! It is a relatively new town, born in 1810, so the architecture is a gorgeous mix with some fabulous 1920’s bits thrown in (and the obligatory modern catastrophes!). There is one place we found just outside the town with a whole street of vintage and antique shops, so for a whole day we staggered open-mouthed around a treasure trove of curiosities.
The Blitz Ball went really well and was held at the Bournemouth Flying Club at the airport. Unfortunately due to the weather, the daytime event was postponed, making the dance less popular. It was a shame as the DJ was fantastic and the hosts a delight. I have experience myself of hosting Blitz Balls and know what hard work they are and how much money can be lost through the expense and hard work it takes. ST Events did a grand job, but obviously couldn’t help the weather that had scuppered its big day. Ah well, other people’s loss is my gain as there was more room to dance!
The people that were there were dressed up to the nines, whether they were 1940’s enthusiasts or not! I did a singing set early in the evening before donning my bomber girl corset for a fan dance at 10.30. Low and behold one of the staves snapped just as I was finishing my last spin! The feathery swine!!!
For the rest of the evening I wore a gorgeous original 1940’s gown with red and white stripes that I bought at Stoneleigh Militaria and a pair of pale blue Johnson’s Originals shoes, with a hair bow to match.
I hope you enjoy the photos below, I will do a separate post about Russell Cotes House as it was too incredible not to warrant its own article…
I thought I would show you some photos taken by Mr. Mew at Beltring this year (edited by myself). I did between 2 and 3 acts per day and some modelling for Heyday Online, so the week was flat out busy for me!
Kitten and Shona van Beers of Heyday Vintage
Pipe Dreams (my new act that debuted at War and Peace) went down a storm, although I nearly fell out of my pipe when climbing down! Smoking really is dangerous!
Kitten von Mew performing Pipe Dreams at War and Peace Show
Kitten von Mew in Pipe Dreams
Mr. Mew and I stayed in Gracie Wheels for the whole week which was fabulous, although we were right next to the entertainment tent so couldn’t get to sleep untl gone midnight. It was great to have a caravan there though, especially as a migraine sufferer and using it as a changing room!
Kitten as Carmen Mewanda with her caravan Gracie Wheels
The weather was pretty good and stayed mild with just a few showers. I managed to pick up a few bargains in the stalls and even got to sit in the cockpit of a Lancaster Bomber nose, as well as meet the original Allo Allo cast!
This video was shot at Gaydon Heritage Motor Centre. I had just come up with a few new lyrics whilst we were sat having a cup of coffee, watching the rain coming down. In a caffeine fuelled dash of genius and lunacy, we went to the sci-fi exhibit and shot this little number. Not Albert Hall worthy, but hopefully someone will get a giggle out of it.
On Sunday I entertained the crowds at Colchester Football Stadium at a British Legion event! The stadium played host to a recreation of the football game from Michael Caine’s classic Escape To Victory between the Nazi soldiers and POW’s. Before the match I sang some 1940’s classics before doing my family friendly RAF Fancy Fan Dance outside the grounds. Then at half time I sang 3 songs (see the video above) for the crowd. This was the first time I had sung in a stadium and it was very strange hearing my voice echoing around the place!
Although very tired from a stupidly bad nights sleep at a rather awful B&B, Richard and I had a lovely time and hope that the British Legion raised heaps of money at the event!
1940's Pin-Up Entertainer Kitten von Mew 