Saturday 25 July 2015

The First Day









The sun is shining and the town is absolutely bursting at the seams.   The forecast for tomorrow is not so good, but if it is all downhill after today I am sure it will be judged a success.

We (friend W and I) were down early and found places for our usual scone and coffee.  The childrens' roundabout was going, the 1940's music was playing,  men and women in uniforms of all kinds were parading up and down - there was a tremendous atmosphere with everyone so friendly.   All the cafes were full to bursting (almost all have tables out into the market square) and every table was full.   Two old wartime busses were tootling about, several steam engines had steam up and gave off that glorious smell, and there were also one or two old lorries from that time.

A space had been cleared in the square and when the dance music came on couples were be-bopping like mad, all adding to the occasion.   Lots of people had brought their dogs so that all kinds of dogs were wandering about with their owners.   It was a really jolly atmosphere and everyone seemed willing to chat.   A little group obviously intending to be Frenchmen (berets, striped shirts and the like), a Frenchwoman (tres chic) bopping on the dance 'floor', stalls selling 1940's undies and stockings with seams, stalls selling fox furs and dresses (£85 each if you want one), mens' hats and jackets. It is all taken very seriously.

Here are some photographs - they were taken quickly, none of them posed, so that often people got in the way, but I do hope they give you a taste of a jolly  Saturday a la 1940.

19 comments:

Mary said...

Oh what a great time that must be with so many memories!
Love the ladies with real shopping baskets - no plastic bags then thank goodness!

Have fun - Mary

Heather said...

Your photos really capture the atmosphere of the event Pat. A great time was had by all, by the look of things. I remember that lovely smell of steam rollers and can almost hear them clanking along rolling freshly laid gravel into hot tar.

sonia said...

Looks so fun. And love the clothes.

donna baker said...

I'd say that is an incredible day. What fun! I think my mouth would have slacked open at all the fanfare.

Wilma said...

Seems you didn't need to resort to Spam afterall ...
:-)

Bovey Belle said...

Oh we'd love that, and I am sure our eldest daughter and her boyfriend would too. Not that I can jitter-bug, but I'd love to dress up!

Terra said...

I would enjoy that celebration; the clothes are authentic to the period.

angryparsnip said...

Looks like so much fun.
I am envious that everyone still fit into their clothes
and stands up so straight.

cheers, parsnip

Galestorm said...

Looks like it was a lot of fun and probably brought back a lot of memories for some. Thanks for sharing.

Tom Stephenson said...

Looks like good fun.

Hildred said...

Love the seamed stockings - didn't ever do it myself but I know of others who used an eyebrow pencil on nude legs to simulate the nylons of the 40's.

It must hasve been great fun, Pat, and your impromptu pictures are great.

Frances said...

Thanks so much for these views of the folks participating in this 1940 weekend. Isn't it grand to see so many people contributing to the event?

Now...please do remember to take your cameral along tomorrow to capture those Spam fritters. xo

Midlife Roadtripper said...

A great taste. Thank you for sharing your day. I bet the music was most fun. I have so many photos of my mother in suits such as those worn by several of the women. Hope you had a good time.

Cro Magnon said...

That looks great fun; and I'm pleased to see that a few resistance fighters turned up!

Robin Mac said...

What fantastic photos of a wonderful event, so evocative! I am amazed so many people were so smartly turned out. There clothes have been beautifully preserved.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Off for spam fritters today - will take my camera.

thelma said...

What happy, cheerful photos of people dressed up, lovely sight, seen those events in Pickering and Whitby also, very nostalgic.

Elizabeth said...

Wonderful to have the looks of it - without the fear and anxiety of the real thing.
Loved the 'snoods' in several pictures. In the late 50's or early sixties my mother was complaining about
young men hanging around up to no good.
"We didn't have those years ago" (meaning the war).
I said, "No Mum, they were all off getting shot at..."
Have a nice greasy spam lunch!

Joanne Noragon said...

What a wonderful day. I'm catching up soon to the spam fritters.