Thursday, October 28, 2010

Shepton's Turning Back Time...

Shepton Mallet will be holding a Victorian Evening in the town on November 2nd, from 3pm, to celebrate the premier showing of the BBC1 series, Turn back Time: The High Street.

Shops have been asked to join in by opening late and to have appropriate window displays to reflect the era. I've been putting some displays together today in my shop's three windows...
I bought this lovely old chippy painted tin trunk from a friend last week - I thought it would make an ideal base to a display, to look like it had just been dragged out of an old attic.
I loaded up the trunk with a gorgeous old Victorian woman's nightdress and several cotton baby gowns. I also added a few photographs from the time.

This is in the front of the shop. I hope to be able to change my window displays as the programme progresses...

In one of the side windows I've displayed a selection of Victorian framed prints and some books; one is dated 1889.

The last window has a collection of antique glass bottles, including several Bovril bottles in various sizes. I noticed Bovril was available in the Victorian grocers shop when the film crew created it for the show.
Belinda has been regularly updating her blog with information about the series, as details have been released by the BBC. If you'd like to take a look, you can find it here.

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Anyone attending the Victorian Evening is encouraged to wear Victorian style dress. I've been trying to put something suitable together, but fear I might be too cold...Think I'll have to wear some thermals underneath the white cotton blouse! ;-))
My other worry is that feeling you can get as you set off for a fancy dress party...'Will I be the only one who's in costume?'! - Think I shall change at the shop, once I know I'm not!

The original Victorian bonnet that I have isn't the most flattering of headgear, so I need to be sure I'm not the only one turning back time!
Anyway, have a lovely evening...I'll be back tomorrow to show some of the items I have made for the fairs that are coming up...(First one, The Vintage Bazaar, Frome. - Don't think I've mentioned it quite enough times yet! ;-)))
Niki x

8 comments:

  1. Hi Niki, I am really looking forward to the TV showing of the programme next Tuesday evening! See you Saturday. xx

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  2. It all looks great, you will look excellent too!
    love
    Lyn
    xxx

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  3. Looks fab, looking forward to the programme too !!
    twiggy x

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  4. What a stunning window display! It sounds like a lot of fun to get everyone involved :-) Hope you'll post some pics of the event!

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  5. If I don't make it to Shepton on the day, I look forward to some pictures!

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  6. I would so love to be there. My grandfather grew up in the area and would always talk about going to Shepton Mallet. He was born early 1900s.

    Your shopfront is looking great.

    Christy
    Lil Bit Brit

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  7. Hi Niki
    I have enough trouble trying to keep up with the girls wearing teadresses & brogues, let alone full Victorian, I can't wait to see you in flapper, 50's & 70's!
    Tracey xx
    I have the sky set for the prog.

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  8. Hi Niki

    Thanks for your blog message - I haven't priced my buttons but have so many other MoPs to take so I may not take them anyway. We'll see. I still have almost 24 hours to decide!

    Is that picture for sale of the corn stooks? Is it a postcard or a poster or? If it is, please put my name on it!

    See you tomorrow. Thanks for the offer but I wouldn't dream of letting Dave lift any of my things! Most things are reasonably light - apart from the button drawers!

    Sue x

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Thank you for finding the time to visit me...
Niki xx