I must apologise for my long absence on here. I’ve had issues with my site and am also having a life declutter; finding myself once again and regaining my inner strength and confidence.
Wearing an original vintage tie and 1940’s hat
I had a wonderful time at Folkingham Remembers Operation Market Garden recently. The weather was astounding on Saturday and a constant downpour in the afternoon on Sunday! Did that put me off? Goodness no! I was the last entertainer standing and sang in the rain to a hardcore audience in a little orchard.
Kitten Von Mew singing before the rain started!
The church housed some incredible artefacts from Folkingham’s WW2 past, including photos, American airman uniform pieces, letters and insignia. There was even a piece of aircraft that had taken off from the airfield and unfortunately crashed in bad weather.
I was incredibly impressed how the whole village got involved. It very much felt like a community event, which was so lovely. What an incredible piece of history to have on your doorstep. Thank you for letting me be part of it!
Original 1940’s dress, telephone cord bag, 40’s hat, 30’s red glass beads and Remix Vintage Shoes
For Father’s Day this year, we thought a trip to Ashdown Camp’s Wartime in the Vale would be a great idea. I had to swallow my pride a little, as I used to perform there many years ago and was let go when a new entertainment organiser was brought in.
We firstly stopped at the fabulous Fourteas in Stratford Upon Avon to have a family breakfast (thoroughly recommend the G.I. Breakfast and Earl Grey tea!) before heading to Evesham.
The event has increased hugely from the small field event it once was. I could hardly recognise the place! We got there at midday, with no entrance queues and there were huge displays of military vehicles. The main arena had First World War and WWII vehicles, tanks and cavalry (best displays I have seen at a show).
There were lots of stalls (a few good ones, but 50% were annoying tat, Lindy Bop 50’s dresses, 80’s doing vintage or extremely overpriced vintage military (£35 for moth eaten military breeches that needed patching up, sewing and new fly buttons and lacing?!). It kind of reminded me of how War and Peace started to go, so they could entice young people and families.
Amazing box made by a WW2 POW out of newspaper!
I was also NOT impressed by one guy representing Help for Heroes, who made some kind of tongue-in-cheek comment about my ‘big buns’ and a bake sale, before somehow thinking it was hilarious to say “You know, if you can tear yourself away from Jeremy Kyle or whatever it is you do in the daytime…” seriously?!?! At least these two were professional!
Thanks to my friend Stephen, I had the honour of going inside the First World War tank, which was fascinating. Boy was it cramped! With lousy suspension and lack of headroom it would certainly be no good for just popping to the shops in…
One of the most dangerous places to be in the First World War, they were cramped with exposed scolding-hot pipes, toxic fumes, noise and more. Around 8 men would be put into these hazardous machines and many became ill or died from heat exhaustion, carbon monoxide poisoning from the engine, horrendous burns from the pipes or killed by the axis forces.
Back to the show!
For the little kids, there was a mini fun fair that certainly amused Betsy for 20 minutes before home time! The mini swing boats were actually from 1945, which was awesome!
I would say that it would have been nice to have some smaller entertainment spots, set up at a couple of other areas (other than the main marquee), but it would’ve been impossible. Everything is set around the central arena, which is obviously rather noisy and the main focus of the show. Any singers or music would get completely drowned out by the tannoy, pyrotechnics or engines!
I think I would go back for a day out with the family, but would bring ear defenders for Betsy Boo next time! There were warnings with most of the explosions, but some we were unprepared for and she soon started trying to hide!
I would thoroughly recommend the displays, which were fantastic, but if you go with shopping in mind, maybe go to a carboot sale before hand and just enjoy the rest!
This weekend I will be singing at Bletchley Park’s 1940’s Weekend! The weather is set to be beautiful too! The museum will be open, so you can gaze in awe at the Enigma machine, computer and historic mansion. Walk around the beautiful grounds, enjoy the entertainment, vintage stalls, reenactors and more!
I will be performing on the Saturday and Sunday only, at 3pm and 4pm, so come and say hello.
I am soooooo sorry that this post (and others coming) is crazily delayed. To put it bluntly, I not only have my computer in a rather nippy brick shed, but little Betsy likes to come in here and throw my crafting things around. It takes me a good hour to edit photos before even attempting a post, and that is if Richard is here to look after her!
So I thought I would go through my camera card to see what delights we had in 2016 and this was one of them. I have been to the Black Country Museum several times, but never to one of their wartime events. The open air museum is a huge expanse and is also linked to the waterways. Some of you may recognise parts from Peaky Blinders, which used it as a set!
Workshop
Mock fire in the main street. It did make me chuckle howt hey had to aim the water at the brick wall, but it was a nicely done reenactment
You can take a really great tour on the barges through the limestone tunnels that were important networks for the iron industry in the 19th and 20th century. It is an extra fee, but seriously worth it and a nice sit down after all the walking.
Inside the limestone tunnels
Richard and Betsy
Kitten and Betsy on the Barge
Barge Trip on Dudley Canal
It was lovely seeing the place themed to wartime and the amount of people dressed up in civilian and military! There was a little Land Army set up in a garden, plenty of fabulous vintage vehicles, the old fun fair (extra charges again), a mock house fire in the main street, Churchill making appearances and some vintage stalls. We found the best clothing was in the brick buildings as you enter the museum! The school house had a very interesting exhibit of original clothing and brooches that I was swooning over for a rather long time…
Women’s clothing exhibit
The Children’s Clothing Display
Brooches and Pins Display
Live music was scheduled throughout the day, but unfortunately we were too busy walking around to see any of it. BE WARNED! There is an awful lot of walking, so if you have young children, prams, high heels, this can get rather tiring. The ground is uneven or stony in many areas. Things are very spaced out, so be prepared. Also, one thing to point out is that by the coal mine, there is a lot of coal gravel. Betsy enjoyed picking these up and her shoes (and Richard’s white trousers) got covered in coal dust. Not a major thing, but just a heads-up to parents.
We had a wonderful day and I think Betsy enjoyed the strange sights and sounds too. There is a little park area that she could toddle about in and she didn’t cry once in the darkness of the canal tours. There are plenty of places to eat and we chose the restaurant after the barge ride. It serves hot and cold food and we ate a little early to avoid the huge lunchtime crowds! So here are a few photos of our lovely day. Maybe you could go this year!
Williams Motors motorcycle helmet
Land Army
Wearing a 1930’s dress coat, 1940’s crepe dress, original hat and handbag.
This wonderful chap interviewed me at Severn Valley Railway 10 years ago!
For those who have yet to go to this show…you must! Nestled in an old quarry mine, this open air museum hosts tram sheds, a gorgeous Victorian pub, old buildings and trams from all over the country. On entry you are given an old penny that is used to ‘buy’ your ticket on any tram you please and this ticket can be used again and again.
There is always some great entertainment at the show including singers, spivs and a wonderful parade of vehicles too. You will also fine a good handful of vintage stalls offering clothing and housewares, which I always head to first!
I did not take many pictures this year as nowt has changed. I think the most exciting difference was the addition of an open top Blackpool tram with strings of lights. It almost looked like a boat on rails!
Crich Tramway also has a lovely woodland trail for those not wearing heels.
Here are some photos for you…
Crich Tramway detail photos
Posing with a lovely vintage car!
Some detail shots of one of the beautifully restored trams
A candid shot of some soldier in a Willy’s Jeep in the parade
Interior detail of one of the double decker trams
Some of the lovely folk in their civvies
‘George Formby’ entertaining the crowds at Crich
The new Blackpool tram at the museum
I may or may not have been a bit over-tired and in a silly mood when having this taken…
Here is a small selection of photos from the 1st ever War and Peace Revival! More to come I promise, but I wanted to get these up as I know some of you are chomping at the bit!
It was incredibly hot for the whole week with only a short cloudy burst on the Friday. I didn’t get around the dioramas due to a hectic schedule and feeling as if I were walking through treacle from the heat, but did get to the Vintage Village and the rest!
Miniature Jeep or 60ft woman? You decide! Kitten von Mew at War and Peace Revival 2013. Taken by RvM
Kitten signing her centre page pin-up poster of Military World Magazine. Taken by RvM
Kitten with Vicki Michelle and Sue Hodges of ‘Allo ‘Allo! Taken by RvM
Kitten the poster gal! Check out the monster banner behind! Yowza! Taken by RvM
In the Vintage Village Display watching Beverly teach someone how to darn a sock! Photo by Kitten von Mew
Vintage textile bits and bobs on Bev’s display. Taken by Kitten von Mew
More of Bev’s display including a wonderful crochet bra! Taken by Kitten von Mew
Wet stocking been dried in the Vintage Village with Mr Mew behind! Taken by KvM
A vintage pantry display in the kitchen diorama. Taken by KvM
Kitten von Mew in the 1940’s living room diorama! Taken by RvM
Toy soldiers for sale in the market place. Taken by KvM
WW2 tin toy armoured vehicle in the market place. Taken by KvM
Sincerely Yours, Swingtime Sweethearts, Viv the Spiv and Kitten von Mew in the V Marquee
Kitten von Mew and her wonderful ‘Colonel Whiskers’, her favourite at the events. Taken by RvM
Kitten and RAF crew with one of the model spitfires at War and Peace Revival
I came across this lovely article on ‘tinterweb’ tonight so thought I would share! I also wanted to let you know my performance schedule for the War and Peace Revival Show. This is liable to change, but should give you some sort of timings to aim for. There will always be someone on hand to ask in the Victory Marquee!
Friday – Family friendly daytime performance and an adult evening performance (Time TBA)
Saturday – 1 daytime performance and 1 evening performance (as part of a “floorshow” cabaret with the John Miller Orchestra) – both Family Friendly. Around 3pm and 8.45pm
Sunday – Daytime family friendly performance, around 3pm
Jazz Club
Thursday – Live singing slot and burlesque performance from 11pm (time TBA)
Friday – Live singing slot from 11pm (time TBA)
I will also be doing picture and Military World Magazine signings, so make sure you collar me when you get the chance, because this will be one busy kitty!
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!
1940's Pin-Up Entertainer Kitten von Mew 