Monday, 20th August 1950

Dear Diary,

Oh what fun!  The Fun Fair arrived at the Park this weekend, so I took the salon gals out on Saturday night for a special staff outing. The Park was absolutely heaving with people, courting couples, families with young children and lively gangs of young girls and boys, or ‘teenagers’ as we refer to them these days. The atmosphere was positively electric; I so adore the gaily-coloured flashing light bulbs, the sweet aroma of candy floss mingled with sizzling hot dogs and above all, the anticipation of the thrill of the rides. 

The first thing we did was to have a go on the coconut shy.  I must say it was really very funny when Anne-Marie threw one of her balls squarely onto the coconut (most definitely a fluke) and it just bounced off, straight onto the brim of the stallholder’s hat. When Doreen had a go she managed to hit the same coconut again, yet it was rather peculiar how the blasted thing wouldn’t budge. The stallholder shuffled nervously and offered her a free ball as a consolation. I say, those coconuts must be glued down!

I decided to treat everyone to toffee apples for munching on whilst we queued for the Moon Rocket. Grace and I sat together, whilst Anne-Marie and Doreen climbed into the rocket in front of us. As we took off the wind rushed through us, oh what a thrill! Suddenly, Anne-Marie screamed (rather inappropriately I thought) but we couldn’t stop laughing when we saw Doreen trying to help her to dislodge the toffee apple from her ponytail!

Another silly mishap occurred on the Waltzers, when Grace opened her big mouth! Those burly fair ground chaps always flirt with the ladies, showing off as they dance on the moving platform and then spin the carriages around until you scream like hell. Grace looked quite green around the gills and foolishly asked the chap “Please don’t spin us again,” of course he spun us faster, “What’s that luv? You want me to spin you some more?!” Everyone was quite dizzy after that, so we opted for the gentle Ferris wheel next, where I clumsily dropped my handbag from the highest point on the wheel. Thankfully, a tall dark and ruggedly handsome fair ground chap picked it up and waved to me reassuringly from the ground. I was so relieved that he gave it back to me once the ride was over.

The dodgems are always such fun, especially when everyone gets a car each. I so thoroughly enjoy the sensation of driving myself and I do try to avoid the other cars after all; I think the clue is in the name, to ‘dodge em’.  Nevertheless there’s always some joker who likes to ‘bump’ and it’s most irritating being constantly bumped from behind. Ho! What a surprise! I looked around to see the culprit was Dudley, the mechanic from the garage across the road! What a cheek! Conveniently, another chap happened to whiz by and knock Dudley’s car for six! Once the ride was over, my dodgem car saviour introduced him self as William and invited the gals and I, to the Queen’s Head for a much needed glass of stout. Oh hello William! Of course we’re going on a date, hmm what shall I wear?

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Betty's Secret Diary - Saturday, 7th April 1950

Dear Diary,

Oh heavens to Betsy! I couldn’t help but feel more than a little nervous about meeting Tex Deckman at his friend’s photography studio this afternoon. I was in such a quandary about what to wear, so I just threw on the black Dita Skirt with a black Sarah Jane blouse and an overcoat. I decided that I should play it safe and take a whole suitcase of clothes to ensure the luxury of multiple choices for the photo shoot.

Tex greeted me warmly at the front door of a Camden address. He chatted excitedly about apertures and focus rings as he dragged my suitcase up a set of rickety stairs. We finally entered an attic studio with dramatic windows that extended over the roof, allowing the sunshine to illuminate the scene. Tex said that the first job was to put the kettle on.

After only a small sip of his tea, he busied himself setting up the camera and tripod. So I opened up my suitcase and proceeded to select an outfit. However, Tex insisted that I looked absolutely perfect in the skirt and blouse that I was already wearing. He became rather dashing as he explained about the importance of capturing a natural look to reveal the personality of a subject. So, happily I went along with his subtle directions and I really started to enjoy myself, posing as Tex snapped away with his camera.

After a while we took a break and we made another cup of tea. But clumsily Tex spilled my tea all over my blouse!! The tea was so hot I had no choice but to take it off pretty quick before my skin was scolded. The saucy devil started winking at me again! I must say he seemed jolly thrilled to see my Kiss Me Deadly Jolie bra.

Tex insisted that it was absolutely imperative to finish the roll of film and we had to hurry before we lost the light. Oh my! But because my blouse was completely soaking wet why not focus on the lingerie as a photographic subject? Well, he made it all sound so frightfully tasteful and artistic, so I dared myself to have a go. Tex suggested raising my skirt a little to show off my stocking tops for a low angle shot. Ooh! We did giggle when I nearly teetered over on my high heels. Eventually, my skirt disappeared completely to reveal the matching Kiss Me Deadly Jolie suspender belt and briefs.

Tex was over the moon! As he wound up the film roll inside the camera I thought he was about to kiss me, but instead complimented me on a first class performance as a photographer’s model.  Hmm, I quite like the sound of that!


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