We went at the weekend to Hever Castle in Kent for a forties event and had a most lovely time meeting friends and going round the castle which was once the home of Anne Boleyn who was the second wife of Henry VIII, although she was Queen for three years from 1533 it all ended in tears when she was beheaded for treason in 1536.
The house was later owned by the Astor family and thanks to William Waldorf Astor having spent spent some 10 million pounds restoring it, this in the days when 1 million was a fortune and not just lose change you find down the back of the sofa as today, it all looks rather splendid and a surprisingly comfortable looking family home.
We were lucky enough to meet Bruce and Pauline Henley when we arrived in the car park who were very kind in sharing their hay fever tablets when we realised we had forgotten to take ours which made the day considerably more comfortable than it would have been.
Just a quick photo opportunity in front of a Spitfire reproduction before the real thing did a couple of circuits before heading off.
For me the find of the day was behind the Spitfire and was a 1930’s MG with a rather splendid patina and some blurb which I started to read, it seems the car was owned by David Blakely a racing driver in the 1950’s and later known more famously for another event but it didn’t mention what the event was.
However, I was aware of the event and said to the owner, “the boyfriend of Ruth Ellis,” to which he replied, “yes.”
Sadly he was fairly beastly to her during their relationship and she managed to get a gun and on the 10th April 1955 outside the Magdala public house in Hampstead she shot him dead.
Her trial was in June where she was found guilty of murder and on 13th July she was hung in Holloway prison becoming the last woman to be executed in this country.
I am a retired actor, although to be honest I only retired because I wasn't getting any work due to losing my agent when I became a full time carer to my mother who had dementia. and the option of becoming an unemployed actor/waiter at my age was ludicrous, especially as my waiting skills are non-existent.
Having said I’m retired, I don’t think there really is such a thing as a retired actor for I am still available for work, I just don’t have an agent or any connections with regards to obtaining any worthwhile work.
I have over the years done student films when there is nothing else available, always low paid (if at all) the only incentive was always the promised copy of the finished film for your show reel which nine times out of ten always failed to materialise.
I spent many years looking after my aged mother and shortly after her death I was lucky enough to run into an ex-girlfriend of many years ago and our romance blossomed once again, resulting in us getting married in 2013.
My move to the countryside inspired me to write The Diary of a Country Bumpkin which tells of my continuing dilemmas in dealing with the rigors of the countryside from the unexpectedly large number of pollens, fungal moulds and hay products waiting to attack the unsuspecting townie.
I enjoy writing, see my play Dulce Et Decorum Est Pro Patria Mori on The Wireless Theatre Company, The Plays Wot I Wrote and The Battle of Barking Creek both available on Amazon.co.uk and am very fond of classic cars so my ideal occupation would be acting in a film I had written set in the 1930s/40s, we live in hopes.
I am delighted to say that since venturing to the countryside where space is not quite the premium it is in town, I have due to the availability of two double garages acquired more classic cars to form a small collection the pride of which are a 1947 Bentley Mk VI and a 2000 Bentley Arnage.
My various blogs and websites are continually evolving and I’m sure that by following the appropriate links you will find something which will edify or amuse.
I have written a number of different books all available on Amazon, so don't be shy should you feel the urge to purchase. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mr-Joe-Wells/e/B06XKWFQHT/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1
Glad you had another interesting 1940’s weekend. When I read of the life of Ruth Ellis I can’t help but feel sorry for her and, indeed, for her family. Their’s was not an easy life, and there was a great deal of tragedy all round.
The Diary of a Country Bumpkin 
Glad you had another interesting 1940’s weekend. When I read of the life of Ruth Ellis I can’t help but feel sorry for her and, indeed, for her family. Their’s was not an easy life, and there was a great deal of tragedy all round.
Very sad, I agree. It would have come out differently in this day and age.
Leaving aside the hanging. I wonder if the outcome of her trial would be different today? I’m with Peter, it was sad and tragic for all.
It certainly would have had a different outcome today, as you say; sad and tragic for all.