Over the last few days June 29, 2016 17:33

Hey Y'all 

Well, I sit here as I did last week, looking out over more grey clouds, lashes of rain streaking downwards ... it could be 'deja vous' in some respects but in others it almost seems like the world is a different place since my last blog. Respectfully I do not wish to debate political issues here, or pass on my views but just to say certain aspects of the last few days has been quite shocking to say the least. Anyway, enough of that onto more positive notes .....

We would like to say a massive thank you to all our customers last week, and in particular those who have shouted out so positively to the world about Swingoramic.

In particular: Claireabella's Closet in Leicester, UK

Offering an exquisite range of vintage, retro, alternative and current daily fashions including dresses, tops, bottoms, accessories and lingerie. Featuring brands like 'Bettie Page', 'Pin Up Couture', Voodo Vixen amongst several others .... please go checkout their FB page and website www.claireabellascloset.co.uk you'll be amazed!!

Sarah's Doo-Wop Dos

Vintage Hair and Make-Up Experts in Bedford, specialising in Weddings, Vintage Festivals, Workshops and Tutorials ... please check Sarah's FB page and website on Sarahsdoowopdos.wordpress.com now ... you will also been blown away :)

We'ed also like to say a special thank you too Juliette over in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada for all her lovely posts, shouts and photos!

Here is Juliette enjoying the some rays with our GM Chevrolet Parasol.

Now to the last week, in words and pictures.

Last but one weekend saw our Mama visiting up from London ... the ladies of the house spending time in Norwich shopping and browsing whilst I did a little work whilst keeping a close eye on the Le Mans 24 Hour race ... focusing on the GT class it was an amazing win for the return of the Ford GT (officially only accepted into the class by all the other manufacturers) as technically you are not allowed to participate without a commercial street going version of you car being available for sale. Racing with their winning years numbers, '66, '67, '68 & '69 they sure looked the part. In turn they dominated the field and with Brad Pitt in the garage area adding his support too it made for a exciting race, really only slightly hampered by poor weather at the start resulting in several yellow flag laps to commence proceedings ... after that it was ALL Go.

The week following was really about fulfilling orders to our lovely customers and trying to prep for the weekends events ... this certainly made rather frustrating by our crazy weather, floods and electrical storms. Spending the week with everything (literally) crossed for a dry Friday night and dry Saturday really was asking a little too much ha ha.

Friday finally arrived and with the van loaded, the '54 cleaned up and semi presentable our attention was turned to our friend Denise's visit and a crazy girls night out with Elizabeth (Lizzie-Bear) at the Waterfront, Norwich for the Lemmy (Motorhead) Tribute Night ... this was certainly going to be a heavy one and the now traditional Jack and Coke (the Lemmy) was the staple diet of the evening ... sore necks and bad bad heads were to follow :) 

Meanwhile, I was to arrive at a Norwich residential address to collect the lovely Kayley and her friend Rhiannon for their Prom Night at Sprowston Manor Marriott Hotel & Country Club ... moody clouds were rolling in and it became obvious that all the various crossed body parts were having zero effect .... just as we waited with Kayley for her friend to arrive the heavens opened .... sitting out the worst of that lashing we then made our way on the short journey to Sprowston Manor ...

But soon the sun came back out yayyy!

Kayley & Rhiannon pose for pictures with their family and friends :)

Before it got to busy with other Prom Cars and the usual difficulty of limited two way access I got a good getaway ... and enjoyed a little sunny cruise around Wroxham and Coltishall before grabbing some supplies at Tesco ... the '54 was then to be on duty the following night at the Aylsham Prom (Peter Ash - 'crazy hot rodder') behind the wheel. A quick dinner and an attempt to watch the Taking of Pelham 123 with John Travolta & Denzel Washington resulted in me falling asleep on the couch ... oops I was on duty to collect the ladies from the Waterfront, alas I slept through all the calls, they had to get a taxi :)

Saturday AM up at 5.10 and on the road to Knebworth Village, Stevenage with a van full of 21 chairs, sun loungers, flamingos and parasols to provide outdoor furnishings for a lavish 1950's private birthday bash. The trip down was sunny and quiet, with picturesque views from the A11 through Norfolk and Suffolk, turning off at Duxford and onto Stevenage via Royston and Baldock ... on arriving through Knebworth Village, the access road was a tiny as the little lanes of Norfolk I was utterly amazed at the immensity of the location ... accessing via the paddock gates (a mud bog, lashed up with tyre boards and hardcore) I entered the rear of the estate ... full of vans and busy marquee assemblers, prop guys, cooks, servers you name it ... I met up with the events organiser and he briefly showed me around, the back office was impressive but when you got to see the extent of this project I was astonished ... from the galley into a 1950's Diner, booths and seats for at least 75-100 people, a 13 meter bar, a stage room featuring more bar stools and high top tables, '59 Cadillac Loungers and a Wurlitzer Juke Box backdrop, it all really took my breath away.

So, to work! Unloading the van, is easy, compared to the pain involved in loading it ... assembling all the furniture outside the diner, followed by props and parasols.

 A couple of hours of assembly into the staging area, a little polish here and there, knocking in the parasol anchors, whilst all the other teams present ran hoovers, polished cutlery and glasses, removed plastic floor covers, polished chrome and finally rolled out the red carpet for guests. At this stage I was joined by our friend Aaron, a local lad who helped out and supplied his Dad's 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Sport Sedan as the final extra prop for the day.

Guests started to arrive at noon, the party was underway ... the weather was actually co-operating with just some very light spits the sun made a strong appearance and my forehead suffered as a result (glowing just a little) ... catching up with Aaron and his Dad, chatting to the 1950's Pro Jive Dancers ... fending off a few eager youngsters from wrecking the car .... a good catch up with Aaron and just being generally entertained by his Dad. The party ran over by an hour and at 6pm, the eventual heavens decided to open ... after a brief downpour it was a towel dry and re-load of the van before getting back on the road through various almost zero visibility storms to sunny Norfolk.

A successful weekend which I was very proud to be involved with .... big thanks to Murray for the opportunity, all the great people I met, plus Aaron and his Dad.

Sunday was a re-coup day, before getting back at a new week. Thanks all for taking the time to read our blog and can't wait to get back to you all soon.

Have great week!

 

Ed 

Swingoramic.