The Crown

The latest offering from the folk at Netflix is period biopic based on the early rise to the Crown of our Queen HRH Queen Elizabeth II. It also brings with it a very interesting mid century insight into the historical events of Great Britain and Empire. From the end of the War to the death of a King to the great smog of 1952.

The series is cast superbly with Claire Foy playing a very convincing Queen Elizabeth. John Lithgow an American, who I best know from 3rd Rock from the Sun among others, he plays Winston Churchill. A difficult role as the man who was a figurehead of the Allied forces during WWII was now elderly and clinging on in power.

The costumes, environment and general feel makes the series like a very cinematic high budget affair. Given the internet chatter of how much Netflix spent its easy to see why. Kudos to Netflix for putting such a great series together but also for bringing the gritty and often grim realities of this period in our monarchy's history to life.

The story follows on from the around the end of the plot of the movie The King's Speech, although do I prefer Jarad Harris or Colin Firth as King George? I certainly can guess what Mid Century Missus (to be) would say. I would recommend watching The Kings Speech before hand if like me your knowledge of the House of Windsor's family tree and history is a little fuzzy. Its not essential by any means but I did have a bit more of an understanding from watching The Kings Speech first.

Overall I give the series a hearty 10 out of 10, well done Netflix.    

Vintage Wedding Venue - Grand Pavilion Porthcawl

So as I have proposed and furnished my beloved hand with a ring, its time to think about the money pit that is a wedding.

We both are very much disciples of vintage style so there is no way we are going to organise something too twenty first century. We set out to find something different and something we can put our mark on.

The Grand Pavilion was an early front runner out of the gates, with it Deco exterior and its ball room main hall it seemed like a perfect fit. We have toured the venue and met the Stuart and his very friendly and accommodating team and I am happy to say it remains way out front.

The Grand Pavilion was opened in 1932 and is a key historical land mark in Bridgend County. I especially like the history of the building and the many artists both professional and amateur that have tread its boards, I feel we would be almost walking in their footsteps by having our wedding there.

To follow our progress on planning a vintage wedding please check out my fiance's blog

Mid Century Missus (to be)

Ed's Easy Diner

So you and your dame are hungry, why she wants to go to a joint with good food and good music.

Ed's... yes Ed's Easy Diner is the answer my good fellow.

All the Easy Diners are dressed in 50s themed deco lots chrome and chequer board with beautiful mini juke boxes on the tables, allowing you to pop 20p in and select your favourite period tunes (Ed's donate this money to charity).

The food is always good, much higher quality than your high street fast food outlets. With gourmet burger options and chilli chease frys (a personal favourite). The shakes and malts are not to be missed either, served up icy and creamy the perfect accompaniment for any diner treat.
Ed's also has a good traditional American breakfast menu that is always worth a try nothing beats pancakes to start your day.

The staff are always great my only criticism is the uniforms could be more period 50s/60s that would finish the place off beautifully.

Don't miss out on offers and competitions,  make sure you sign up for Ed's Club on the web page.

Ed's serves up great food and atmosphere with oulets in McArther Glen Bridgend, Cardiff, Gloucester and Swindon.

Ed's Easy Diner

Dainty Dorine - Entertainer

Mid Century Mister aims to spot light vintage inspired performers from in and around Wales and the West who keep the look, sound and feel of the past alive.

Photo : Chaz Dixon Photography

First on our MCM stage is local Burlesque performer and model Dainty Dorine, who makes you swear you are watching that most famous of Flappers Louise Brooks. Its fair to say she has a real handle on the look wouldn't you say fellas? Her Flapper burlesque performances reinforce the fact that Dainty Dorine has done all the homework as her look, her moves and gestures all bring the flappers back to life.

Photo : Dave Purcell

Dainty Dorine can be found performing with the Cardiff Cabaret Club, among others. Please make sure you follow her on on the links listed or for professional inquiries Dainty Dorine can be reached at daintydorine@gmail.com

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/daintydorine/

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/dainty_dorine/

Photo :Dave Purcell

  

Grenfell - Luxury Outerwear since 1923

Just before our visit to the Goodwood Revival I had an extra surprise, I was extremely lucky to have been chosen as the winner of Grenfell's Revival competition. I won two tickets to the Saturday and two of their exquisite luxury hand made jackets. I prize like no other I am sure you will agree.

  

The chaps at Grenfell have been producing the finest cloth the world has ever known in England since 1923 and its history goes back even further with its founder Sir Winfred Grenfell.
As well as the Goodwood Revival Grenfell were also at Pendine sands here in Wales for the running of the amazing landspeed setting Blue Bird along the hallowed beach. Sir Malcom Campbell the fiendishly swarve daredevil of his era naturally chose a Grenfell jacket making him truly the best-dress man at 152.833mph in 1925.  

Browse the all of Grenfell's beautiful jackets by visiting the web page.

http://grenfell.com/collections/all

National Vintage Wedding Fair - Komedia Bath

Beautiful day for a wedding fair, we are at the Komedia in Bath for the National Vintage Wedding Fair.

Lots of very relaxed and friendly folk all up for an informal chat. Music, photographers, jewelry, dresses and some lovely Art Deco inspired items from Daisy Says I Do (www.daisysaysido.com) We both liked the Old School Photo booth (www.oldschoolbooth.co.uk) they are certainly worth a browse. We liked the setup and how it would compliment a beautiful vintage venue as apposed to looking like a plastic box in the corner. 

The better half and the soon to be Mid Century Mrs, Helen egged on by the mothers from both parties decided to try on some dresses. It was at this point I exited stage left and went to have a coke and a smile at the bar.

Vintage Life magazine sponsored the event and had arranged a fashion parade which was a nice touch brings some of the original vintage and new vintage style wedding dresses to life.

Over all for a chap it wasn't my usual habitat, but there was cream tea at the end...

Goodwood Revival 2016

An event which is certainly one of my highlights of the year sees thousands of motor sport and vintage enthusiasts gather near Chichester at the estate of Lord March for the Goodwood Revival. The event has a simple premise, revive the once fearsome 2.4 mile circuit and relive its heyday of 1948 to 1966. Everything is brought back to life from the old pit building and tower to bring a period high street to life. The airfield itself is transformed and the former RAF Westhampett comes back to life with Spitfires and Mustangs that would have once flown from the airfield during the war lined up an flown for displays.
Its the patrons that make the event, everybody (with the odd exception) makes a huge effort to dress appropriately. The dress code is not mandatory but very much encouraged, indeed it is de rigueur. Making the whole event feel like a magical step back in time.

On track the often priceless cars are driven with gusto often by modern legends such as Tom Kristensen and Oliver Gavin. One of many highlight is the RAC TT celebration race, AC Cobra, Corvettes and sideways Jaguar E-Types make the race a fan favorite and one of my must see races of the event.

Among the many amazing things to do and explore at the Revival is the Earls Court Motorshow, recreation of the Art Deco frontage and a space for manufacturers to display their contemporary models alongside the historic. One of my favorites is this Jaguar D-Type seen here on the Jaguar stand.

For me the 2016 had a very personal connection I had chosen it to bend the knee and propose to my beautiful girlfriend. Thankfully she said YES so I guess we will be Mister and Missus Mid Century!

I enlisted the help of the beautiful folk at Betty's The official Goodwood Beauty Salon who arranged for waiting press gang and when the moment came Ali mustered the troops and cleared a space for me to pop the question. 

Pictures courtesy of  Betty's The official Goodwood Beauty Salon 

The Revival also boasts some of the best vintage shopping on these fair islands, not only is there a fine selection of retailers within the confines of the track at the Revival Market (many of which will be covered by Mid Century Mister in the coming weeks) there is also and area known as "Over the Road" put simply this is the other side of the access road to the circuit. Over the Road has row after row of shop, car restoration company, auction, boutique and food stall. it also has the vintage fairground, Bonhams, Butlins roller rink and the fearsome wall of death.

Be warned it is perfectly feasible to spend all day here and never actually see a car on the race track.. as we managed on the Saturday. Even if the weather was especially British, no amount of soggy yet extraordinarily tasty burger could dampen any of our spirits. 

   

Tickets for the September 2017 event will be release in the next month or so as usual, my advice would be get them early.

Special thanks to to  

Goodwood Road & Racing https://www.goodwood.com/flagship-events/goodwood-revival/

Betty's The official Goodwood Beauty Salon https://www.facebook.com/GoodwoodRevivalHairAndBeautySalon/

And to Helen.. for saying yes and making me the luckiest fella on the planet.