CHATHAM SALUTE TO THE 40's 2016

I've wanted to visit the Chatham Dockyard for many years so, on Saturday 17th September, it was no hardship to get out of bed at 5am(!) to prepare to drive down there.  I'd excitedly sorted my outfit the day before - Heyday! Mary dress, Dragonfly Vintage swagger jacket, Dainty Touches hat, Virtue To Victory snood, vintage handbag and basket, and two pairs of shoes to accommodate my bad foot - one pair from Canama and a pair of hotter Sandy shoes in olive and flint.

Bob was sporting trousers by House of Stanley, shirt from The Original Collarless Shirt Company, shoes by Clarks, hand knitted slipover by Hilda's House, coat from Chaps of Distinction.  He often feels a bit self-conscious about his 1940's clothes, but I'm slowly bringing him round!

Our friends, Graham and Sam were similarly attired with Graham sporting both a slipover, jumper and trousers by House of Stanley.  Samantha braved the blustery day in a sleeveless dress but a welcome hand-knitted cardigan by Hilda's House.  Sadly, I was so busy looking about that I never took a picture of Samantha who even managed to crawl the entire length of the submarine in her dress!  I'd never have managed the small doorways so took the chance to relax with a welcome cuppa from the NAAFI.

I have absolutely no idea what Graham and Bob were laughing about - perhaps it's best to keep that as a mystery!



It was lovely to finally catch up with Lee Sinatra who administers the 1940's World page on Facebook and his lovely lady, Sandra.  Lee and I have been conversing for a while so it was great to finally meet up with them both.

 Photograph courtesy of Lee Sinatra and Sandra

Photograph courtesy of Lee Sinatra and Sandra

 

All four of us particularly like the tour of The Ropery which is the longest building in Europe.  The guides were friendly and informative, and we learnt that one side of The Ropery features in Sherlock Holmes films, and the other side features in one of my favourite programmes Call The Midwife.

There were bargains to be purchased at the various stalls, and Bob bought two lovely ties from our friend, Roy Courtneydeal, at his stall Chaps of Distinction.  It was lovely to see Roy and also Karen Back who is a very talented milliner and has great hats at The Heritage Milliner.

Despite the blustery day, we had a wonderful time and hope to return again at some stage.

Now to get ready for Life On The Holme Front followed by the Pickering 1940's Weekend and catching up with more friends.

Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st August 2016 saw Bob and I at Ramsey 1940's Weekend.  Unlike me, Bob doesn't feel comfortable in his "vintage regalia" as he sometimes calls it but, this weekend, he was happy to join in and, after buying a lovely green cap at one of the stalls, he was looking forward to being an Honorary Girl and join the Meet-Up with Jill, Claire, Esther, Anita and Cheryl to partake of baked goodies provided by Jill and Claire.  My cooking is atrocious and I wouldn't inflict it on anyone so my contribution was hand-made lavender bags for everyone.

Anita, Bob and Jill



Cheryl was dancing in the display with the C&BLE dancers and we took audience participation to the next level with our whoops of joy and hand waiving.  Cheryl then treated us to a happy dance (above) when she spotted the Beryl Ware that Claire had found for her.

Claire and Esther hit the dance floor with style - leaving Bob to look after the cakes!

 

 

The weather was fairly kind, although the majority of ladies (myself included) had to hang onto our hats in the strong breeze, and there were more than a few trilby hats soaring through the air swiftly followed by the owners attempting to retrieve them.

 

 

It was lovely, too, to catch up briefly with Jill and the ladies at The Hairaid Shelter where I was enticed to join in the fashion show the following day on the understanding that I wore one of my 1940's jumpers that I sell on my Hilda's House Facebook page.  Jill is not a woman to say "No" to either.

 

 

Sunday saw us return to Ramsey, partake in Spam sandwiches in the NAAFI, catch up with Jill and Neil again and my appearance in the fashion show.

 

Thanks to the unknown person who took this picture.  I was modelling trousers by Heyday!, shoes by Canama Dance Supplies, hand-knitted jumper by Hilda's House, blouse, coat and handbag vintage, and hat by Dainty Touches 

Photo courtesy of Jill Merlot Palmer

 

 

Another great weekend with good friends.