Festival of 1950s at Beamish
T’S time to practice those 50s hairdos and dust off your petticoats. It’s Beamish’s Festival of 50s and there’s plenty of fun to be had.
The fabulous 1950s will be celebrated in style at the museum, from today until Sunday, with live music, costumes to try on, and 50s-inspired food and drink.
Beamish will soon start work on building a 1950s Town as part of the £18million Remaking Beamish project, which has been awarded £10.9million by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Geraldine Straker, Remaking Beamish Project Officer (Community Participation), said: “We’re really looking forward to this year’s Festival of 50s, which looks at change and development in different areas across the decade.
“We’ll be highlighting the changes that occurred in fashion, technology, food, health and welfare, whilst enjoying live music and dancing, getting dressed up and just having a great day out.”
On all four days of the festival, visitors will be able to dance along to band Hop, Skiffle and Jump and see the change in fashion, looking at everyday dress and design throughout the decade.
There’ll be a 1950s toy shop, bowls, a telephone exchange - and visitors can mark the 1953 Coronation by helping to decorate the Coronation float.
Durham Amateur Football Trust will be bringing along some football memorabilia and talking to visitors about amateur football in the 50s. Who will be crowned Beamish Champions 2017 in the football tournament on Sunday? There’s also the chance to spend time in a typical police station office with the North East Police History Society.
Sample the delights of macaroni cheese, oxtail soup and crisps, and 50s milkshakes - and visit our NHS baby clinic ■■Visit www.beamish. org.uk for more information.