Thursday, May 29, 2014

1940s Relived at the Brooklands Museum

Earlier this month, we attended the third annual 1940s Relived: From the Home Front to the Front Line, at the Brooklands Museum in Weybridge.

You may remember my previous posts enthusing about the event in 2012 and 2013, and this year did not disappoint!


It was a lovely warm day, which is lucky, because the event is mostly outdoors, aside from the museum exhibits, and the dancing which takes place under the shelter of a tent.  I'll admit that I would prefer the dancing to be outdoors like the first year, as it created an almost street-party atmosphere, but, I can understand the need to play it safe when faced with unpredictable British weather.

Talking of dancing, check out these lovely photographs that my friend Lory, of Lory's Photography, captured on the day...


You can see more of Lory's photos from the day in her Vintage Day at Brooklands Museum album.

Of course, you know I spent a lot of time dancing - after all, who can resist being twirled around by a handsome sailor?  What we were absolutely flabbergasted to find out though, was that a few people had attended the event specifically to watch us dancing, as they had seen us in previous years!  We were very touched by this, and all the kind compliments that we received from numerous people throughout the day.

Dancing truly is one of our greatest passions, and we dance a lot simply because we both enjoy it so much.  But, it is an added delight to hear that watching us can bring joy to other people, especially those elderly people at the event that regaled us with stories from their youth.  One such story led to a proposition by a sweet lady who asked Aaron, 'Can I touch your dickie?'....but I'll save that story for another time...teehee!

  Photos by Glen Gibbs

We also met a lovely lady that weekend, who introduced herself as the mother of a young man who had been at the event last year, and drawn a sketch of us, which he entered as the final piece in his art foundation course!  How cool is that?!  We were very surprised, and she kindly emailed me some pictures of her son's work, who is now studying a BA in Fine Art at university.

Graphite drawing by George Spanswick

A lot of people who attend this event wear immaculate 1940s outfits, as well as re-enactment clothing and Service Uniforms.  Each year you will see men and women dressed in beautiful vintage suits and hats, children dressed as evacuees and you'll also spot a few soldiers marching around.

  Do you recognise this Plymouth from my photos last year?  I love it!

This year, I opted for a vintage 1940s seersucker suit, which was the perfect lightweight material for the warm weather.  I also got to give one of my Christmas presents from Loverboy it's first outing - a beautiful vintage wicker bag which has an aquatic scene, complete with seashells, on the front.  The perfect choice to match my seafaring arm-candy, don't you think?

 Photo by Lory's Photography

As ever, it was a lovely day out, and we shall put the date in the diary for next year - which, incidentally, is the 16th May 2015.

14 comments:

  1. great pictures! you ll looked so fabulous!

    yesterday i went through probably hundreds of your pictures on instagram ...i have to keep a better eye on instagram, i miss so much as a normal, boring blogerette without a smart phone ...
    anyhow, you really look adorable with you glasses on!!!!

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    1. Thank you!!! Hehehehe, I am an Instagram addict!!! I definitely think it is partly to blame for my blogging laziness....

      Oh and thanks again - I have been wearing my glasses a lot more frequently, ever since I had an eye infection a few months ago.

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  2. You both look amazing, the drawing of you is fabulous, what a compliment and a great likeness. It looks a great event :)

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    1. Thanks Katy! It is a really fun, inclusive, chilled-out event with a nice atmosphere and people of all ages.

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  3. So many fab photos of you two! So sweet to hear you have a bit of a fan club with those who attended to watch you on the dance floor ;) And that sketch is beautiful! xoxo

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    1. Awww thanks! I know, it was very flattering! Plus two of the older gentlemen kindly gave us a lift to the station at the end of the day! :)

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  4. Aw what a handsome couple! This looks like such a fun event - I'm going to a 1940's weekend at a museum here in the UK in a few months, so fingers crossed we get good weather also x

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    1. Thank you, Porcelina! It is a really nice day out. Which event are you going to? I will keep my fingers crossed that the sun shines for you! :)

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  5. Oh that event looks dreamy! I really to go to one some day! Fantastic photos! Seems like you and your hubs had a hoot of a time! xox

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    1. Thanks Daffny! It's a really fun day out, and we definitely had a blast! :)

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  6. I keep meaning to go to this event! You both look great as usual (I love that seersucker suit - seems perfect for a warm day spent dancing!)

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    1. Thank you! Yes you should come along next year!!! :D

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  7. Great outfits for you both! Lovely dancing photos and how nice to have had a picture drawn of you!

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    1. Thank you, Kate-Em! It was a really nice surprise to see the drawing!!!

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