The series features 3 families who get to experience what life was like for their actual ancestors, from the 1900s through to the 1970s. There are 3 houses which have been decorated to reflect the living conditions of the working, middle and upper classes.
Episode 3 featured my favourite era, the 1940s. They briefly touched on air raids, evacuation, being called up for service, rationing and the black market. There was so much more that I would have liked to have seen but, within the time limits of just 1 hour, I accept that they were limited as to what they could show. Photographs of the series are scarce on the Internet, but I did find this one of the Meadows family.
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| Image taken from BBC website. |
On the downside, the clothing, in a large part, I found disappointing. Now, don't get me wrong, I didn't expect that they would all be wearing actual clothing of the period, I believe in preservation and all that, but I thought they could have done a far better job. Take the "spiv" for example in his 1950's trilby!!
Also a let down were the hairstyles the women had. I didn't expect perfectly styled rolls because that's not realistic. If you could see me as I'm typing you would question as to whether I've actually brushed my hair today - birds nest to say the least - but I would have liked to have seen some curls. Minimal effort seems to have been made and in my book, if you're living the era, that should encompass everything. As for Mrs Meadows portraying a member of the ARP with her long hair rather than having it properly put up - don't even get me started!! I shall get off my soap box now :o)
At the end of the episode, they celebrate VE day with the family members having a bit of a dance. I was half watching it, half knitting when I saw what looked distinctly like one of our jumpers. Calling Mr Y to come and take a look, I sat perched on the edge of the sofa hoping it would make another appearance. It did, although very fleetingly, and I was in no doubt that it was mine. It was unmistakable because I remember having great trouble with the collar that simply wouldn't lie flat and the colour, emerald green by Stylecraft, was incredibly bright, distinctive in fact. However, frustratingly, I had to wait until this morning to check it out on iplayer. Having watched it and paused it numerous times, I can safely say that yes, it's one of ours! It's shown at about 54 minutes in. The buttons on the back were the clincher. I remember selling it last year through eBay. I wonder where it went and how it came to be on the box! Here it is being modelled by Doris (the dummy)!
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| I've been on the telly :o) !!! |
In other news, this weekend, we're at Festival of the Forties. This is a new event but there is so much going on and even better, it's only £1 to get in :o) The organisers have gone the extra mile to make things easy and enjoyable for all parties concerned and I'm really looking forward to it.
I should really go and start sorting some bits out, so much to do, not least packing wet weather gear because, according to the weather forecast, we're supposed to have rain, rain and more dastardly rain. So far this morning all I've managed is to do is card these pieces of jewellery, surprised I'm parting with them really :o)
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| 1930's / 1940's earrings and brooches |
