Classycanopies

Saturday 1st August 2009 saw the Letchworth Garden City 50s & 60s Festival which celebrated local industry during the 1950s and 60s.   As you may know by now Marmet Prams were large employers inthe town during that period and so the Letchworth Arts Society appealed to people who still owned Marmet prams to come and take part in the celebrations.   Naturally, my pram collector friends and I couldn't resist a prammie weekend so we put on our best bibs etc and off we went and here are the photos to prove it!!   I haven't had time to name all the prams which were photographed but I will do my best to do so over the next few weeks.  If you would like to see a film of the event please go to http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Letchworth+Garden+City+Festival+2009&search_type=&aq=f where you will see the film that Anne's son Alex made, it is really professional and you feel the atmosphere much better than just looking at the photos!

Anne Bartle's Marmet Regina and my Marmet Queen

Sid, 92, who used to work at the Marmet Factory - we were to discover lots of other people who used to work there, including the receptionist who gave us a lot of information including the startling fact that Marmet made the prams for Millsons and London Baby Coach who then fixed their own name labels to the prams!!!!   I think that must lay a few ghosts to rest ladies!

Anne met her cousin and his partner, they kept us entertained as you can see!

We met Linda (Billingham) from Swindon, I have talked to Linda on Preloved for quite a while, her Preloved name is Marge!

Here are some of the prams which were donated for sale during the day.  Bids were taken in sealed envelopes which were opened at the end of the event.   The Marmet Glyda at the front is Anne's pram which she and Dennis will tackle over the winter.

A 1960s "dolly bird" with a Marmet Astra - so lovely to see people making the effort to dress in costume, it makes such a difference to the event when people can see how we used to dress

Elaine Allcoat with her beautiful Marmet Astoria complete with Alfie, who stole the whole show!!

The beautiful Anne leads off the parade in her pure 60s red and white spotted sun dress with net petticoat, red gloves, red shoes, red hat ........... I won't go on!

Elaine and I - our first meeting after months, nay years, of chatting on the prammie groups!

Brenda Nason looking fabulous in costume with her late 1920s Marmet Glyda lovingly restored.  She even made an umbrella holder for her brolly just in case it rained!!

Shirley and Brian Bromwich brought their two Marmet Dolls prams which were a delight to see.    Restored to a high standard by Shirley and Brian, who also restores vintage motor cars, it was great to catch up with them again.

This gentleman very bravely took this old Marmet Queen for a spin around the park - until one of the tyres split in half, that is - so he just scooped it up and carried on pushing the pram with the wheels off the ground!!

Beth Huckstep with her gorgeous Royale Plymouth which is going to live in Australia next year!

Beth chatting to Richard Morris, the grandson of the last owner of Marmet Prams

Beryl - Queen B - in her element!   Over the years Beryl has owned more than 700 prams!   A lot of them have been Marmet Queens, I don't know of anyone else who has had so many colours of Marmet Queen and she is standing by her current model, an absolutely gorgeous cream and brown one.  Long may you reign Beryl!

Beth's husband, Barry and Beryl's husband, Terry, a couple of likely lads!

Beth and Barry looking absolutely splendid m'dear.  They take part in 40s re-enactments and certainly set a wonderful example to us all of the style and panache of 40's dress!

Elaine, Alfie and me having our photos taken

Elaine and Alfie in the parade

Brenda with her Glyda

Dennis with the Glyda and his ballcock rattle.  Don't ask!!