Summer events 2018

It sure was a rather busy spring and summer for us!  Let us have a brief recap…

1. Medieval Wedding

The end of spring  started with a medieval wedding of two friends – I made some of their finery and Lucas  ( Timelight Photographic) was their official tog – for both the prewedding photoshoot and for the big day as well 🙂

I was attending an equestrian event in Devon earlier on that day, but fiished early, packed up and drove to the venue in dorset just in time for a lovely evening with the newlyweds:-)

 

2. Peterborough Heritage Festival

This is our regular event, as I was  yet again portraying Catherine of Aragon, whereas Lucas was the Old Scarlett gravedigger on one day and the HIghwayman on the other. We also did a very busy school day on Friday –  kids do ask the best questions, never boring!

The weather was well, like most of the summer, scorchingly hot, but somehow we managed in our wools and silks -the natral fabrics do breathe well and covering the scin from the direct sun has a trememdous impact! as was keeping to the shade…

and a few images from John Moore Photography…

and the ‘after hours’ feels….

3. Huntingtonshire HIstory Festival

This was a cracking mid 17th century event in the centre of the town – outside displays, battle drills etc, Cromwell’s Museum tours, as well as individual displays. I was demonstrating  lacemaking techniques, and Lucas was talking about medicinal practices of the era. We were based in a lovely courtroom – and it was just a few steps to the adjoining room where the public could witness a proper trial of  the folks accuses of siding with the roualists… lots of fun! (for details check the Cromwell Museum )

It was just a one day event, but a very busy one – we wre both hoars from talking by the end!

during the day…

and a short video of the plaited bobbin lace 🙂

 

4.Milton Keynes : Victorian Weekend  at the MK Museum

Again,  this is our regular event where I display a variety of clothing from the era, both originals and replicas,

There is a lot going on at the museum – soldier display,  tea with Queen V, sidesaddle show,  Dickens telling stories… lots. you can see it all well captures in Timelight Photographic album here-

5. Tudor Joust at the Hampton Court

An amazing spectacle  organised jointly by Griffin HIstorical and Past Pleasures, with  international jousters. Great fun, despite the heat, and a great privilage to be invited too!

Again, proper media coverage by Photosm – here  – below a couple of images of us 🙂

And a few  behind the scenes, taken during the rample around the palace

Including a bit of a ‘glide’ practice i always fancied having a go at 🙂 not as tricky as it looks, simply a lot of tiny, fast steps. Though a rumba  might work just as well 🙂

 

6. St. Neots History Festival

Another regular one – this year it was a multi-period event with a lot of things going on –  craft demos, suffragets, barbers, quacks and philosophers ( Lucas as Newton included),  entertainment and kids games.

 

 

I was talking about the history of the sidesaddle and  many a delighted child got to sit on my trusty old Mayhew:-). Lots of folks seems realy surprised at the construction details and could finally understand why we dont fall off that easily – the pommels give us a good purchase! 🙂

 

Next summer is already looking just as busy – if you fancy hiring us, the full list of what we can do is here  🙂

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2013 in pictures

New Year’s Eve party – by White Mischief

exactly what is says in the title –  a collection of what was happening here in the last 12 months! enjoy – and- Have a lovely New Year!

 

the first event of the year – Katherine of Aragon festival in Peterborough…

from our Winter Bride collection, shot in January

Prior Engagement team at the EWE in Birmingham

 

 

 

Dianas of the Chase point to point race – sidesaddle…

Easter in Devon: running ..

and hunting – the coldest ever!

and shooting bridal frocks in St. Audries Park – where we got married in October 2011!. good memories:-)

then it was time for the Spring Bride Collection…

in April, we organised a big ball – Spectacular Spectacular, in Pinewood studios…

May was busy – here at a Georgian picnic

doing a Victorian Striptease inn Dragon Hall in Norwich…

entertaining Queen V at Leighton House

June – being a bit silly at a bridal shoot for Events in The Box and Mockford Photography… alas that gown suffered in the recent fire:-(

at the Heritage Festival in Peterborough, in June…

July – Kelmarsh festival, building a bed in the tent…. 🙂

and sweating buckets in Regency gear at Hereford…

🙂

went to our first Steampunk markets that summer too – here in Cambridgeand Stamford

we shoot our Steampunk Amazones in August too: part 1, in Yorkshire and part 2 in Thurleigh

 and did a Summer Bride shoot too…

one of the Summer Brides dresses…

September – at Steampunk Asylum, here just before the fashion show…

and at the market:-)

more markets followed – ILHF and TORM

please, please, can i have some more fabric????

sometimes the markets were busy – sometimes – not so much….

we did some crazy things in October….

in November we also shot the Autumn Bride…

alas most, if not all of the Autumn bride dresses were damage in the garage fire….. including this one….

we spent 6 evenings working in Aston Hall with Black Knight Historical…and returned thee to film Regency Christmas  for NBC – the resulting feature can be viewed here: 

we snapped a few pictures making the best of the spectacular autumnal colouring…

and being silly at a Christmas Market at Stoke Rochford…

and enjoying working at Holkham Hall for two very busy weekends…

and seeing Christmas in London, celebrating my last outfit for the year – a mixture of late Victorian and modern:-)

 Over the year we also enjoyed a few good Stitch and Bitch sessions with Julia from Sew Curvy – it is great to have friends you can work side by side with – rather rare for me, so thanks Julia for your friendship!

good times!

looking classy even at work…

Alas the year didn’t end on a good note – we had a garage fire on the 28th – in which most of my stock, fabrics, dresses etc was damaged.. 😦 lots of private re-enactment , camping and sport equipment also vanished:-( still, we were  insured, so hoping some of it can be rebuilt – it will take a while though! 😦

fire started in the evening – faulty socket is to blame…. here the fire is over, just trying to get rid of the fumes..

the wardrobe where the dresses used to be….

😦

mind you, some of the charred, sticky, smelly items may have just one more chance to take to the stage – we plan a postapocalyptic shoot… it is not everyday  you have a beautifully charred wall in your garage, is it?

  and so –  that’s it – goodbye 2013, welcome 2014! bad or good, it will no doubt be interesting – Happy New Year everyone!

Peterborough Heritage Festival 22-23 June 2013

strolling in the woods…John Grant Photography

 The weekend of 22-23 June saw us working for Black Knight Historical at the Peterborough heritage festival. it wasnt the first time i have worked there, and the festival, organized by Vivacity, is always a great place to be – lots of interesting displays, demonstrations, market stalls,living history – and off course the Cathedral speaks for itself!

 This year was no exception and for the 2 days the place was bustling with various historical ( and not only) activity.  I , for a change, was not in my customary role there, as Katherine of Aragon – it was Sir Percy Blakely and Margaret Blakely this time and we were spinning the tales of the famous Scarlet Pimpernel – but also discusing the fashions, social and political situation of the era, and above all – the revolution!

there goes the last ship to England, Marguerrite! John Moore Photography

 But let the pictures speak for themselves – we were lucky enough to meet up and work with two tallented photographers: John Moore and John Grant. plus, Lucas ( aka Scarlet Pimpernel) went undercover at one point and snapped a few shots as well. Enjoy!

some serious shaving going on – Neil Storey in his element of a regency era barber and surgeon.. John Moore Photography

i was also making silhuettes – a popular pastime in the era; here Captain admiring the one i made of him:-)

 

boys having fun… John Moore Photography

kids area sported a ferrets’ obstacle course!

boys from the Sealed Knot discussing battle tactics.

John and Suzanne from Quartermasterie preparing for a good day’s trading

Bernie the Bolt’s stall busy as ever – manned, or rather womanned by his lovely daughter, Leanne

no slacking in the Roman camp… hard work all day…

a bit more at ease – the WWII encampment

Mr. Churchill inspecting the medical facilities…

and a rather good photo of me! – by John Moore Photography

  We actually participated in 2 proper photoshoots, posing for the professionals -one for  John Moore, with  few pictures above, and below just a few snaps from  a great session with John Grant. it was not the first time we worked together, and he captured Katherine of Aragon a few times on film, and to a great effect – and working with him was a pleasure. more pictures here, and the  extensive galleries can be gfound on the photographers’ websites too: John Grant, John More

moody…

not so moody here, was actually caught laughing!

great full lenght portrait of Lucas

and of me

 and a few shots of what the Pimpernel is up to when not busy rescuing French aristos..

He enjoys rock music…

and checking out Facebook… 🙂

and me, enjoying a few minutes, being headless…:-)