Tag Archives: Lupton House

An afternoon in the 1940s

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Since we first moved to Brixham three years ago I’ve been wanting to make it over to the 1940s weekend at Lupton House. It’s a gorgeous building anyway – we go there every week for toddler music, but any excuse for an extra visit is a good thing! As well as that, this annual event promised to be a celebration of all things vintage, with something to keep all of us entertained.

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We finally managed to go this weekend, and it definitely didn’t disappoint. It was awesome to see the space transformed, bedecked with bunting and vintage vehicles from cars to tractors to tanks. Lots of people had made a real effort with their outfits which added to the general sense of stepping back in time. I was quite pleased with what we managed to dig out from our wardrobes too!

Arthur was fascinated by the old fairground stalls, especially the beautiful organ. He even managed to hook a duck – with a little help from daddy.

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The house itself was looking suitably majestic, and Arthur had great fun exploring. It’s exciting to see Lupton being slowly restored to its former glory, though it’s definitely quite a project to take on!

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Inside the house was a brilliantly eclectic selection of stalls with wartime music drifting out over the lawn – which was itself crowded with relics of the past, including some very convincing military personnel discussing their strategy for the upcoming display.

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All in all it was a fantastic afternoon, and we’ll be back next year for sure. We might even try to get a babysitter so we can make it to the victory dance on Saturday evening – and I’m definitely keen to take advantage of the 1940s beauty parlour for a more authentic look!

As Arthur gets older it’s events like this that we can use to bring history to life for him – and for us it is an important (and enjoyable) reminder of the fabric of the past that underpins the world around us.

 

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Goodbye Jolly Babies

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Today was an important day for Arthur as it marked his first graduation. After Easter we will be not be going back to Jolly Babies, the brilliant music group we’ve enjoyed since he was only twelve weeks old: instead he will be taking his place in Music with Mummy.

We’ve both really loved this group, held in the beautiful setting of Lupton House on the outskirts of Brixham. It was one of the very first groups we started going to regularly, and through it we have made some firm friends. It’s run by Carol, who with her boundless energy has seen me through many a sleep deprived haze. She manages to keep the atmosphere relaxed whilst still getting through lots of musical activities – no mean feat whilst juggling tiny babies, newly mobile toddlers and gossiping mums.

Together we’ve sung old favourites and learnt new songs, all with appropriate actions. Arthur’s favourite seems to be Wind the Bobbin Up – I’ll catch him randomly doing the arm movements around the house, and suspect they’ll be making their way into his disco dancing moves for years to come…

Through the classes Arthur has discovered a whole range of percussion instruments, which he is just beginning to progress from tasting to exploring in a more suitably rhythmic way. He saw his first bubbles there, and it’s always been a highlight when the bubble machine has come out at the end of each term.

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Arthur first learnt to play ball through one of Carol’s songs too, and has really enjoyed the range of cuddly creatures she incorporates. In fact he’s developed a bit of a reputation as a bear thief…

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I don’t think it’s a coincidence that bubble, ball and bear were amongst Arthur’s first words, but that’s not all he’s learnt. The classes have helped him become more confident, to enjoy mixing with other babies and their parents. And also to help to nurture a clear love of music that I feel sure will continue to grow.

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Although our next class will still be with Carol, in the same building, and will reunite us with friends who have already graduated, a big part of me is sad to be leaving Jolly Babies behind. It’s been such a big part of Arthur’s development so far, and the fact we’re moving on just serves to remind me how crazily fast my baby is growing up! I’m sure Music with Mummy will be fab too though – look out for more updates when we’re settled.

Thank you to Carol for the pictures charting Arthur’s journey in Jolly Babies.

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Happy to be home

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We’ve had a busy couple of weeks here – last week saw us heading up to London for my first author reading event, and then this weekend we were in Cardiff for the rugby. Both were brilliant trips: travelling with Arthur is a bit more of a mission than it used to be, but it’s always worth making the effort to catch up with family and friends. However as I sit here now, tapping at the keyboard with a sleeping baby strapped to my chest and looking out over Torbay, there is no doubt that I’m very happy to be home.

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This photo was actually taken last Thursday on our first day back in the bay after the London trip. We were on our way to Arthur’s fab baby music class up at Lupton House and as we were making uncharacteristically good time were able to stop for a stroll on Breakwater beach. The tide was low, revealing a huge expanse of pebbles and sand, and the calm sea lapped gently at the shore before disappearing into the mist. There was a man walking up and down with a metal detector – an image I’ve loved since my childhood, so full of promise and anticipation. There were a couple of other people with children and dogs, and Arthur loved watching them all running around.

We didn’t have time to stop for long, but it was so lovely to take a few minutes to breathe in the sea air. I think Arthur presumes that everyone gets to live in such a beautiful place, but after many years living in cities since my childhood in the Welsh countryside I’m not sure I’ll ever take it for granted. 

 

Linking up with Charly Dove at PODcast for What’s the Story?