Jane Austen Festival

Leila, sorry you missed the Jane Austen festival. As a mini-report, we were in Bath for the festival. My wife was in full regency dress including her spencer, bonnet and ridicule (purse). She made everything. All of the people in costume participated in a promenade through the central Bath shopping area led by men in military dress. It was great. A new Guiness Book of World Records was set when 409 people in Regency costume assembled in the Assembly Rooms in Bath. This set a world's record for the most people in regency costume in one place. In the afternoon, two Jane Austen fans were married in Guild Hall. Anybody in costume could attend (costumes were mandatory). My wife says that they are now having Jane Austen festivals in the U.S. but she doesn't know where.

Larry,, what a great husband you are , supporting and enjoying what I imagine is primarily your wifes hobby.

I assume this is a very genteel festival. No fried twinkies or chugging wine from a bottle.

It can now be revealed that Larry of Elk Grove attended the Festival as Mr. Darcy.

Here in the US people will dress in buckskin or Civil War uniforms and camp in tents as they reenact battles.

Now, I know I make a lot of jokes, but I say this in all sincerity. I would love to go to an English manor house and reenact one of P.G. Wodehouse's novels with Bertie Wooster and Jeeves. Like a murder mystery weekend but no murder. I would prefer to be the chambermaid who discovers that someone has pinched the silver cow creamer. I could also be persuaded to steal a constable's helmet.

I know this is off topic but since it seems we have a few history fans that would like to probably see what its like to be in a particular era.

If youre even in East London, I recommend the Dennis Severs house. It is sort of a museum that you walk through, but not really.

It is like pseudo-interactive living art as it an actual Georgian era house that has rooms set up like they are in the paintings in the rooms... with scents and sounds (people whispering about intruders, half smoked cigars , etc) as if you have walked into the painting and the people have just stepped out of the room moments before...10 rooms dated from the 18th century until the early 20th century.
Hard to explain briefly so I suggest reading about it if youre interested!!

http://www.timetravel-britain.com/articles/london/severs.shtml

http://www.dennissevershouse.co.uk

At the American Museum in Bath there was an American Civil War re-enactment a year or so ago! The museum itself is interesting. Whole rooms have been imported from 18th century New England (the colonies) and New Orleans. The docents there were eager to talk to a "real American." I think most visitors there must be other than American.

Hi Kent, actually, I didn't dress up. I took pictures all along the promenade and at the Assembly Rooms. I couldn't go inside for the world record setting. I wanted to go as Beau Brummel or Lord Nelson (as one guy did) but I couldn't get a costume in time. It was odd that nobody dressed up as Mr. Darcy. It was really a blast as 4 other women from England in our guest house were also in costume.

Larry: Welcome home (you are home, or not quite?)! The forum hasn't been quite the same without you. Tim has had to do extra duty in your absence, although he also got some good help from the "newest generation" of rail gurus.

I'm thinking you would have attended as Mr. Darcy, except a little voice told you that you might not look as good as Colin Firth in white tights? (you don't have to answer that question)

Larry, I did go! I have been back for 2 weeks. It was amazing. I was there with my 2 other friends.

Jane Austen Festival or no Jane Austen Festival, Bath is well worth a visit. I spent the day there last week( day trip from London) and it was worth every minute...a beautiful city and great for walking.
Karen, your comments re: P.G.Wodehouse made me laugh...if you arrange anything I'll happily tag along as Gussy Finknottle..I'll even bring my own Newt....lol

Yeah Leila. That's great. As you saw there, the weather was fabulours. Were you in costume? Did you see the promenade to the Assembly Halls?

I was in the promendade and in the assembly room when they officially announced we beat the record