Last night, Saturday 10th September, I attended the Vittles and Verse poetry evening in Lyme Regis. I did read a couple of my own poems and they were well received (I think!) The event is held every month and I’m going to miss a couple while The Man and I travel back to Italia for an autumn visit but I’ll be returning again for another session as soon as I get the chance. There are some amazing poets in Dorset. I’m talking about the others Not Me!
Being in the poetry mood – I thought I would write Note Number 2 in the theme of rhyming couplets…Well – the Panto Season will soon be upon us!
Charity Shop Window – Most of the shop windows in Bridport featured hats on the day.
Bridport Hat Festival Saturday 3rd September 2016
In Bridport one fine Saturday
The residents, their hats display
Of many colours, styles and shapes
It’s lots of fun and jolly japes
Roger Snook from the hat shop in town
Gave a knowledgeable talk at the Rose and Crown
(actually it was The Bull Hotel but that doesn’t rhyme)
He told us stuff about hundreds of hats
So much, that I’ve forgotten the facts
I’ll share some interesting bits with you
If my memory is able to drag up a few
(see further down post)
The Man and I were unprepared for the day
So improvised quickly – let us just say…
I favoured a fascinator with feathers so chic
He bought a luminous chicken – minus the beak
Music and dancing buzzed in the street
The atmosphere was festive ‘twas all such a treat
In Bucky Doo Square as the clock struck one
A group photo is taken – it’s jolly good fun (not)
The rain held off ‘til about half past two
So events ran smoothly – as they usually do
Next year the festival will be with us again
And I’m already designing the hat I’ll wear then!
The Man as a Chicken…me in my Fascinator only Mr Snook said thay were orginally known as a ‘TANTALISER’ which I think sounds far more interesting.
Mr Roger Snook with his array of hats…..
Snooks hat shop has been in business in Bridport since 1896 and although the town is known for Rope Making the hat making industry was also significant in the town because they used the flax for weaving them. Mr Snook wanted to point out however, that the family are not hat makers but hat retailers. He can pretty well get you any hat that you want, at a price though!
Roger Snook’s other job, apart from running the family shop, is to look after the town clock which he asures us chimes 13 times at midnight every New Year’s Eve. I’ll have to pop along this year and make sure he’s not telling porky pies. The shop holds a large selection Fedoras which I do believe The Man is going to check out as he rather fancied this blue one. Although he might choose the Al Capone style with the rolled edge Hmmm.
Al Capone on the left…blue Fedora on the right
The Panama hat originated from Equador and we were given a demonstation as to how to correctly fold one. They are rolled up and kept in a tube but should be ‘let out’ at least once a year. They must ocassionally be hung up in the bathroom whilst a shower is being taken so the steam will help to keep flexibility – don’t let it drop in the bath, this was not recommended. I’m not sure I have a picture of a Panama hat…what a shame but I think this rather large pink and white ladies hat is an example… (not traditional I know)
A Few Facts from Mr Snook…
A Deerstalker is also known as a Fore and Aft. (I think this is also the name for an army/navy hat that can be worn either side to side – athwartor fore and aft).
The Fez was banned by the Turkish Government in 1925 as part of modernisation reforms.
The Hat Pin was invented in Gloucester, England.
There are 4 pints in a Ten Gallon Hat…and the name is derived from Route 66 in America because it takes 10 gallons of petrol to get from one petrol station to another on Route 66. (I’m still not sure why they would name the hat after this unless everyone driving on Routee 66 wore one)
In 1896 Mr Bowler, Lord Cobham’s game keeper invented which hat? You guessed it…the Bowler Hat. Originally from cow hide stretched over a post but devloped from that point.
In 1910 it was the most popluar hat in Bolivia. Sold to the people as a hat which would increase fertility if they wore it.
A Pith Helmet is called thus because it was/is made from reeds. They were orginally white and were dyed using tea to camouflage them in the desert during the Zulu wars.
Poirot is the only person who wears a white bowler hat (is this true? I may have got that wrong).
Lots of pictures of hats now….
And finally….