Hanging out the Washing at The Control Tower!

On my Lunch Break between Shots!

Looking Through the Photos with Angela!

My Beautiful Bathroom!

The Sitting Room!

Getting Ready for the Shoot!

Claire and Nigel!

Mandrel Checking Out My Bath!

It’s been such a busy seven days that I’m having to write-up this weeks blog in two parts. For those of you who follow me will know I’ve been away on location in Norfolk working on a photo shoot with photographer Angela Adams. I had quite a tight turn around from Monday after returning home late from the Isle of Wight Railway’s Victorian event and then I was off first thing on Wednesday morning with a completely new set of costumes. I’ve been planning this photo shoot for ages. I always put a lot of thought into my outfits and colours which need to work in harmony with the location. I spent over a year sourcing various items and I can’t wait to see the photos when Angela has worked her magic.

Many of the photos from this shoot will be making their way into a magazine and are to tie up with a 1940s article I’m writing for next year. I shall be launching my own on-line magazine this Autumn and as I’m sure many of you already know I like to have lots of lovely photos for my web-site which I can call upon as and when. What’s been rather thrilling on this occasion is I was able to use the Control Tower at Egmere which was once part of Old North Creake Airfield during WW2. The Control Tower has been lovingly restored and turned into a fabulous B&B thanks to Art Deco enthusiasts Claire Nugent and Nigel Morter. I booked myself in for two nights but I enjoyed myself so much I wish I could have stayed for much longer. One of the reasons I choose the Control Tower was for its wonderful Art Deco style and fabulous interiors. I was partially taken with the beautiful bathrooms which are all original 1930 suites. What’s amazing is Claire and Nigel were able to source the suites on-line through ebay. To lay out in a 1930s bath is a truly wonderful experience as bathroom suits were so much larger then. I discovered I could lay out whole and point my toes and still not touch the ends of the bath which just goes to show how much smaller the world has become. I loved the fact the bath had rolly polly sides, sleek lines and the taps were mounted onto hexagonal stands which just goes to show how brilliant 20th century Art deco design is. It’s as good today as it was back in the 30s. Claire and Nigel also have two rescue cats called Window and Mandrel who were named after two of the control tower’s code names. I love cats and while I was staying Mandrel came up to my bedroom and joined me in the bathroom which just goes to show I’m not the only one who likes Art deco bathrooms!

Before I left for Norfolk I popped into Kim’s hair salon in Quainton and Kim was able style my hair into a 1940s Victory roll which looked fabulous. Come Thursday I was shooting all day with Angela and I’m looking forward very much to seeing the photos. A big thank-you to Lisa too who assisted and to Claire and Nigel who were so accommodating and gave us full run of their home. We worked all day and Angel was able to photograph 8 of my outfits. Everything from WAAF Officer to 40s knit wear. As soon as my photos come through I will share them with you all so keep watching and I will  keep you posted.

The Control Tower is quite the place to be and while I was there Claire and Nigel had a documentary crew in. If you would like to stay at The Control Tower here is a link to their web-site at www.controltowerstays.com Nigel and Claire made me feel so welcome and it’s a must for any-one who loves Art Deco design. On Friday morning I didn’t want to leave as I had enjoyed my stay so much. Friday was a full day as I had arranged to meet up with friends Christine and John of “Timescape” for lunch at Pensthorpe Park and to drive home to Bedfordshire. I was engaged to perform that evening at  Chipperfield Cricket club for a 1940s “We’ll Meet Again” show but I shall be telling you more about that in tomorrows blog.

In the mean time you can see more of my behind the scenes photos by clicking onto my facebook page.

Keep Watching and thank-you for following!

Toodle Pip! 😉