A thing about me you may not know and some shameless self promotion!

Hello world,

The past few weekends post Goodwood have swept along in a blur, Ive had work, auditions, hen dos and a bit of drama, which has left me somewhat discombobulated!

Anyway... I imagine you're all chomping at the bit for Revival shots... the pics shall follow shortly, in the meantime may I bring your attention to the other side of me? (Ooooer!)

Many of you may know I work in broadcasting, but I'm not sure how many know that I also am a voice over artist... yep, I sell my voice in various forms for adverts, talking books, tour guides and all sorts. Having just had a brand spanking new demo recorded I thought I'd pop up the link to it here... not to show off (despite being ever so pleased with it) but to see if any one who listens has any feedback. Also, well, you never know who reads these bloggy things....

"Hello perfume advert casting director I'm your girl!"

http://www.voicespro.com/uk/cv/gemma_king

That be the link above. Please do have a listen. It'd be great to hear your thoughts :)

Also may I take this opportunity to mention the rather swanky mug shots of...well... my mug, are taken by the rather splendid Mat Keller of Southern Retro. He came over the other day for tea and crumpets and to take photos of my face and my house. His site's rather a good read, lots of lovely snaps of folk who live the vintage/retro life and a little biopic about each of them.

Courtesy of the talented Mat Keller. Thank you Mat!

Dahhhhling... look at me looking all broody and theatrical!

G x

Goodwood... See you there?

Well folks it's finally here! GOODWOOD! And I'm chomping at the bit to head down to West Sussex.

This year's extremely special as I'll be working there on Friday and Sunday as a WAAF in the Officer's Mess ... I'm really excited, and maybe a little apprehensive, as I cannot remember who to call Sir, how to salute and how precisely to work the plotting table... eek! I fear I may be permanently on jankers over the weekend!



This'll be me!



Saturday I have day release and shall be wandering about in my civvies, but very special civvies... I'll be steppin' out in a new Puttin' on the Ritz suit design for Autumn that hasn't yet been seen... it's a gorgeous suit I tell you... and I'll have plenty of piccies to post next week :D

Maybe see some of you down there, it'd be great to say hello :)

TTFN

G x

Messing about in Metro-Land

Phew, what a weekend... The Ric Rack Club and my good friend Claire's 30th on Saturday... and a Sunday full of 1938 tube trains, RM1 buses and The Sarah Siddons (an early electric loco).

I haven't get gathered all the photos of Saturday, so I shall do a separate Birthday and Ric Rack post. In the mean time, here is a postcard from...

Metro-Land

Miss G in Metro-Land

The Metropolitan Railway opened in 1863 and was the world's first underground line. The name "Metro-Land" was the brainchild of James Garland, who worked for the Metropolitan Line's publicity department. Used to promote what the company first called its extension line, and later its main line, the term was featured in advertisements and promotions from 1915 to 1934.

Metro-land lies in north west London, with it's tracks sprawling into Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Middlesex. This expansion into the "suburbs" began early in the 20th century and the Metropolitan Railway provided local transportation. This was an independent company until the London Passenger Transport Board, or LPTB, took over in 1933 (in 1934 the name Underground was taken on... see this post for more).

Initially, in 1868, the line ran from Baker Street to Swiss Cottage. It ventured into Harrow by 1880, onto Rickmansworth in 1887, Chesham in 1889 and furrowed even deeper into the Chiltern Hills by arriving in Aylesbury by 1892... that's a lot of track!

A map of Metro-Land's lengthy tracks

"Live in Metro-land" was an idea developed in 1903 by the Metropolitan Co. who developed a housing estate at Cecil Park in Pinner... the first of many enterprises over the next 30 years (other estates cropped up in places such as Rickmansworth, Amersham, Croxley Green, Wembley Park, Hillingdon and Ruislip. Many were conceived during the 1930s housing boom, as briefly looked at here.) By 1919 the company was thriving with it's own Country Estates Company, with the "Live in Metro-land" slogan... such a popular catchphrase it was even etched on the door handles of Met train carriages!

It even reared it's head in literature... before the end of WWI George R. Sims had incorporated the term in verse...

"I know a land where the wild flowers grow,

Near, near at hand if by train you go,

Metroland, Metroland".

By the 1920s, the word was so ingrained within the public consciousness that Evelyn Waugh mentions the locale... in "Decline and Fall" (1928) the Hon Margot Beste-Chetwynd marries a certain Viscount Metroland.... Lady Metroland then reappears in his 1930's book "Vile Bodies".

Most notoriously the poet, writer and broadcaster, Sir John Betjeman penned many a verse with Metropolitan turf as his muse...

"When melancholy autumn comes to Wembley,

And electric trains are lighted after tea"

(except from the poem "Harrow on the Hill" by John Betjeman)

It isn't just literature into which Metro-Land has crept. Because the film production studios of Borehamwood and Pinewood were in easy reach, the area was often used as a setting for TV programmes... especially in the '60s. To the extent that it is also known as "Avengerland". Programmes such as The Avengers, The Saint and Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) were all shot in the locale, so if you watch one of them you'll often see archetypal Metro-Land railway stations and quiet suburban streets home to conspiracy, action and espionage!

Rather amazing to think really, that what began as a small suburban railway area, grew to such an extent that it inspired a Poet Laureate and was home to Honor Blackman's cat suit!

But enough of the waffle... here are some snaps from our day out...

In the 1938 tube stock at Amersham

Chris inside the '38 stock

Me inside the '38 stock... those seats are comfy!

Even the lighting was stylish in art deco glass!

Vogueing on the Metro!

Up to no good inside the drivers cab on the Sarah Siddons. This was great! What a feat of engineering

At the wheel of RM1. The cab is at least 4 ft off the ground so getting in was tricky... getting out even more so! It must have been quite a sight!

If you get a chance to go on one of The London Transport Museum's Heritage days it's well worth a visit, such a wonderful way to spend a day out, and a great way to get up close to some marvellous machinery... also, one can wear a hat and gloves in stylish surroundings!

G xx

P.S

You can view more marvellous snaps of the day on London tansport Museum's Flickr...  

here

Nothing to do on Saturday night? Problem solved here!

The Ric Rack club is on this Saturday...

Doors open at 8pm

Where Fleur will be mixing it up a little with some dance band classics, along to which you can wet your whistle with a  free glass of Ginger Haze (a punch made from King's Ginger liqueur, apple and fresh lime juice with a secret ingredient), or a refreshing bottle of Jeremiah Weed alcoholic root beer! You'll also be handed a free ticket to the Ric rack Raffle! I like Free!

Just before 9pm

I'll get my uke out and play some bits and bobs... hopefully it'll all pan out ok, if it doesn't you can always enjoy your free drink and ignore me!

About 9.30pm

Upstairs will get into full swing with a set from 1940s harmony group The Marjorie Belles, a lovely trio who are sure to get you "In the Mood!"

About 10pm

The lovely Yesterday Girl will play a jive set upstairs where there will also be a demo and mini class on the Stroll - it's a very easy 1950s dance even my foxtrotting feet can do!

Then...

All Fringe, No Knickers will crack out the Northern Soul

what will be included in the raffle??

Let me tell ya...

A bottle of No 3 London Dry Gin (worth £30)

A pair of Jeni's (vintage) Jugs (I say!)

A Daisy chain on Black Fleur dress (in your choice of size) - perfect for autumn (worth £80)

A facsimile of Fleur's Fanny... Hill - it's a salacious story

A giant pork pie (believe me, it's massive!)

A pair of Bethan's finest Buns (everyone needs some)

A set of Shirt Companions from gentleman's emporium Sharp and Dapper (worth £14.99)

A pair of Naomi's Knickers (new frilly pants, fresh from What Katie Did and usually £15)

A bottle of Glenrothes Special Reserve Whisky (worth £32)

A set of Lisa's very own Legwear (In reality it's an unopened pair of seamed What Katie Did stockings)

A pot of Gemma's Gentleman's Relish (ain't I spoiling you?!)

A fabulous, custom-made and special edition hat from Strumpet, (Thank you so much to the lovely ladies at Strumpet!)

This'll be drawn at midnight before you turn into pumpkins!

To come along you need to must book your tickets now. £8 plus a small booking fee. The £8 door reserve list is no longer available as we fear we may sell out in advance and want to be sure everyone gets it! (anyone who has pre-reserved already is guaranteed entry though, so fear not!)

G x