Tuesday 19 April 2011

Back in Time

The weather was glorious for the 40s event down at the station this weekend. The family were visiting for Grandma's birthday so we strolled down the lane after lunch for an afternoon of nostalgia, atmosphere and fabulous clothes.
We didn't have time for a trip down the line or see the entertainment at the other stations unfortunately, but the three little boys we had between us (and the two bigger ones) seemed to get just as much out of watching the engines chug up and down the line, peering in the beautiful old cars and noseying around the military vehicles.
For Grandma, sister-in-law and myself though it was the music and clothes that made our day. I love 40s music and really enjoyed Victory Belle's performance in the NAFFI tent. Lovely dress too. Is it ok to have snood envy?
This lady particularly looked the part. Even her newspaper was from 1940. The atmosphere was wonderful and rather surprising sometimes.
I hadn't expected to bump into a German colonel and the Dad's Army gang too!
Great fun for free and on the doorstep. Just my cup of tea - if rationed.

42 comments:

Herding Cats said...

I have following for a while but never left a comment. Just thought I'd let you know that I love your blog, I follow a few but am always so pleased when you post. Thankyou. I'm loving the forties theme, would really like a forties hairdo but wouldn't know where to start. Have a great week.
Sam x

cupcakejojo said...

That looks like a fabulous day out! x

Anonymous said...

Oh wow - looks like an absolutely fantastic day out!! I adore the 40's!! Wish they had something like that near us! xx

The Vintage Kitten said...

Gorgeous photos. My dad and his wife attend these events and I love seeing all of their fabulous clothes X

Rose H (UK) said...

Great post, and just as I've finished watching a re-run of The 1940's House!

June said...

Wow! Looks like a super day out and fun had by all!
June

Catherine said...

Looks great! Aren't the dresses beautiful? So elegant and feminine. Cx

Frances said...

How wonderful that so many folks enter into the spirit and fun of such an event.

Might I inquire, what you were wearing? I know that you looked fabulous, no matter which decade you were channeling!

Best wishes.

Vintage Sunday said...

'Nostalgia, atmosphere and fabulous clothes' indeed! What a wonderful day ~ thank you so much for sharing it with us ~ just lovely! Love Brenda

andamento said...

Interesting!

KC'sCourt! said...

Wow! What a lovely day
Julie xxxxxx

driftwood said...

gorgeous outfits xxx

salty pebble said...

what a spliffingly great day! oh my i love the images! thanks for sharing -the costumes are simply stunning! ;0)

bet your boys loved it too ;0)x

James. said...

Looks like you had a wonderful time back in time, I love events like that, Did that horrible gerry get shot?

James

Barri-Jayne said...

Glad you had a fabulous day. I love anything dressing up and everyone looked the part xx

Movies and Concepts Handled in the Movies said...

Thanks for sharing. I keep in mind.

reliance data card in chennai

Helen said...

This looks like such good fun. Down memory lane for some. Nostalgia and romanticism, and wishing for a slower pace to life. We can't really say better though, can we, with soldiers, and gas masks, and what-have-you. Nice post. Thank you.

Joanne said...

Fab-u-lous!!!
Great photo capture of the event!
Joanne

Alchamillamolly said...

I think the lady with the basket and the newspaper looks like the local doctors wife! Did you wear one of your lovely dresses? did everyone join in with dressing up? There is one in our town this June so I am quite excited.

Please may I? said...

Wow what a fantastic day.

The photos are stunning.

X x

topchelseagirl said...

Oh wow, it looks fab!

sara said...

Hello Curlew,I am from Spain,Ilike very much your blog Ifollow your blog always.My English is not very well but i hope that you understand me.I like the englihs style.

Madelief said...

LOVED the photo's! What a great day out. Wish I could have joined you!!!

Lieve groet, Madelief x

loveandlilac said...

Wonderful pictures. I love the 40s. I live close to Bentley Priory, Bomber Command for the Battle of Britain and we often have Spitfires flying over the house - always brings a tear to my eye.

Lucy said...

I love it!! Everyone really made the effort by the looks of it too. It reminds me of that series 'How we used to live' that I watched in school, and everyone had to pick a character to follow and write the diary of. Showing my age there but never mind!

LandGirl1980 said...

Oh this looks lovely! I am off to my 1st 40's railway event on Sunday! I cannot wait!!

Sarah Jones said...

Love the trains and those clothes are to die for.
I enjoyed watching Land Girls on TV. Some of it was filmed just round the corner from my house. Thanks for sharing the photos with us.

Gill said...

That looks like a fab event. The nearest I got to anything like that was about 20 years ago when me,my then hubby, my brother and his wife went to Leeds Town Hall for a 1940's Big Band Night. We hadn't got dressed up tho loads of people had and as well as the dancing there was a buffet put on of 1940's rationed food. It was a great night and I've been dying to get to another 1940's event ever since.

Love and stuff xx

scrumptious days said...

Gosh! What a super day, how wonderful to have it so nearby. Jude

The mum of all trades said...

what a fun day.

Christals Creations said...

What a glourious day. X

Anonymous said...

A lovely blog, recording what looked like a great day out, but utterly ruined for me by the sight of that monstrosity in the Nazi uniform.

A Rose Without A Thorn said...

I am completely pea green with envy, how I wish I had been there. I am in sunny Florida but I would rather have been there, lucky and blessed you. Thanks so much for sharing, Maureen.....

A Rose Without A Thorn said...

I hope you don't mind but I am going to share some of your interesting day out on my blog with a link to yours. I think it would be fun for my bloggers here is the States to see of Blighty as it was in the 40's, thanks again, Maureen....

Shortbread and Ginger said...

Oh, that looks great! Love the vintage fashions - excellent!
Liz

mother of purl said...

Looks like a terrific day! I have that 'come in to the factories' poster nest to my desk at work- such a great image.

Thanks for popping by my blog and leaving such kind words. Happy Easter x

Shann said...

I would have loved to have been there and saw all those wonderful outfits and festivities! I was most certainly born in the wrong era. :)
Thanks for sharing these wonderful pictures with us. They are fantastic! :)

Suzy's Vintage Attic said...

I was looking forward to seeing this post! Fantastic photos, it must have been so much fun.Love seeing what everyone was wearing.
Isabelle x

Katy Noelle said...

Absolutely amazing! It really looks like you stepped right back in time!

btw, It's me. Sorry I haven't been around, lately. It's been a strange couple of months. Being, here, visiting, feels like breathing fresh air after being cooped up for so long. Somehow, Steph, you remind me of who I am. Lovely!=]

Love, Katy

Hen said...

Thanks for pointing me in the direction of this blog post, Steph, we'd missed it while we were away. It looks to have been a great day, thanks so much for the lovely photos. I thought we'd have seen you taking part in a vintage style tea dress! Popped to Tunbridge Wells today for a ride on their vintage train (sadly missed the steamer and had to get the stinky diesel!) I bought two vintage dresses at a tiny fair there, was so pleased! No more cakes for me though...
Love Hen xxx

Bluebells and Lavender said...

Dear Steph, I've just found your blog and so going through some of your posts. I absolutely LOVE this vintage day post - looks like a wonderful time was had by all....Sharon

Plain Jane said...

What a feast for the eyes this must have been. I notice the sign with Stone on it - my town! - so I realise it can't have been too far away. Was it Foxfields?