Step back to the 1950s at Beamish Museum
IT’S time to practise those 1950s hairdos and dust off your Teddy Boy suits - it’s Beamish’s Festival of 50s and there’s plenty of fun to be had.
The fabulous 50s will be celebrated in style at the museum, from today until Sunday, with live music, costumes to try on, and 1950s-inspired food and drink.
Beamish is building a 1950s Town as part of the £18m Remaking Beamish project, which has been awarded £10.9m by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Siân Fox, Beamish Community Events Officer, said: “We’re really excited about our Festival of 50s. There’s lots to explore. From live entertainment to 50s food and fashion, the event promises to be a great day out for all the family.”
On all four days of the festival, visitors will be able to dance along to band Hop, Skiffle and Jump and be entertained by Suzie B’s Boys.
Sample the delights of macaroni cheese, coronation chicken sandwiches, corned beef pie and Battenberg cake, and visit the 50s ice cream bike.
Pop across to Wanda, the 50s caravan, to try on clothing from the times and see the change in fashion, looking at everyday dress and design throughout the decade. Also, have a go at traditional toys and games.
In this exciting footballing year, Durham Amateur Football Trust will be looking at the popularity of the Amateur League in the 1950s. See how much the kits, supporters and organisation of the game has changed and see the traditional changing room.
The North East Police History Society will be looking at crime and punishment during the decade. Visitors can step inside their police office and see the 50s uniforms and equipment. Discover the plans for Beamish’s police houses from Gateshead and share your memories.
See 1950s vehicles on display, including a BBC broadcasting bus.
Explore the NHS health and welfare clinic, find out about maternity services in the 1950s and see the waiting room. Learn about the development of inoculations during the decade with the Sunderland branch of the British Polio Fellowship Society.
The North East Meccano Society will hold an exhibition of the timeless toy during the weekend, with construction sets dating from the 1900s to the present day. Taking place in the Collections Study Room, next to Open Stores, there’ll be working Meccano models of all kinds for visitors to enjoy, including industrial and agricultural vehicles.
The Festival of 50s and Meccano Exhibition are included in admission to Beamish and are free to Unlimited Pass holders, as with all daytime events.