Like being on a giant film set
The first ever car-race took place at Goodwood race track 75 years ago. For the last 20 years there has also been a Revival, where vintage cars or bikes, race (and sometimes crash). There is a strict dress code for spectators; They must dress in vintage or authentic-looking retro clothing from the 40s, 50s or 60s. Goodwood also employs a number of actors and entertainers who take on characters from those eras.
For a few hours work each morning, I was able to enjoy myself for the rest of the day and take snaps. More people belong to drama groups in Britain than they do football clubs, so it is not surprising that so many make an effort to look the part. But visitors come from all over Europe and the Commonwealth.
The Sixties (Click on photos to enlarge and read captions)
Each year there is a highlighted theme. This year because it was the 50th anniversary of the England football team winning the World Cup, it was England verses Germany 1966.
Part of the grounds had a reconstructed football pitch where spectators could join the likes of ‘Bobby Moore’ in a knock-about. There was a parade around the track of traffic on their way to Wembley Stadium, which showed off owners cars that would have been around in 1966. The vehicles included vintage: police cars, milk carts, motorbikes, Mini and Bubble cars, Bentleys, Daffodils, Fords, Hillmans, Jaguars, Rolls, Sunbeams, Triumphs, Vauxhalls, plenty of public transport buses and coaches as well as Germans in Volkswagens.
The Fifties
The Forties
Beer tents are a must at British festivals – especially when it rains
Copyright © Southampton Old Lady. If you would like to use any of my photographs please consult me first. If your stand or you yourself are in any of my photographs feel free to use them however you wish. Goodwood Actors Guild Members also have my permission to use any of these photos or add links for their profile purposes. Please credit: http://www.southamptonoldlady.wordpress.com wherever possible. Thank you
Oh my heavens: 1966 is now vintage? That’s the year I left England to come to Canada. We were World Cup Soccer Champions at the time … those were the days. The fiftieth anniversary of my arrival in Canada was last Saturday, 10 September … vintage indeed. Lovely pictures and some great memories. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your kind comments Roger. It always amazes me when I see familiar household items I used in museums now! Congratulations on your 50th anniversary.
LikeLiked by 1 person
On exactly that same date, we left Canada to move to Australia!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Then Happy Anniversary to you too
LikeLike
That looks like a great day out. I love the sound of a Doom Bar beer tent. The beers have great names and are always tasty.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love English beer – but had to wait until I got home to have one. I hear that there is a new Brewery opening at the top of Portswood Road called Union.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There are new breweries opening everywhere. Last year a chap started brewing in his garage in Totton.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wow would like to try some of his beer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think he brews under the name of Nova Foresta or something similar.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sol, I’ve also been to Goodwood but it was donkey’s years ago
LikeLiked by 1 person
They do a number of events, horse-racing, festival of speed and Revival. I’m not that keen on racing really – but I love all things vintage. It seems to get bigger each year – you can get your moustache groomed or your hair done in Victory rolls – but you have to book nearly a year ahead. All the tickets were sold out months ago.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My Grandfather was quite a gambler on horse racing so that’s what we saw there. And also at Kempton Park and Ascot.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, if you could only go back to those times, right?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh No – I wouldn’t want to turn back the clock – just pretend to be in them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a great thing to take part in. (Pardon the dangling participle!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was – thank you
LikeLike
I have a better sense of hope about England, humanity, and the world, through seeing the people pull together as one, here. I think I wore similar fabrics to the roller-skaters! I thought the busker was an original photo, until I saw the rest of your photos.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Photos can lie can’t they?
LikeLike
What a small world – or just a very large festival! Love this! x
LikeLiked by 1 person
My gracious! I’m not usually a fan of this sort of event, but it may be that we don’t do them as well as you Brits! This looks absolutely marvelous. it tickles me that some of the 1950s fashion is so similar to what we had here. And I realized I do have a prejudiced bone in my body: I never imagined English people swing dancing. I guess I thought all you did was waltz! 🙂
I can’t pick a favorite photo; there just are too many good ones. But I did enjoy the two girls roller skating, and the aviator with his girl, in the photo just below the plane. I looked, and then looked again — I’m not sure she would have had the tattoo, back in the day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Britain used to have skiffle bands until they heard American rock’n’roll. You are right, they copied and wanted all things American – until The Beatles came along. Tattoos were popular among working class women in the thirties and forties but went out of fashion for women by the fifties.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooh, I nearly missed this post, so glad I found it! How wonderful to be part of this! I definitely want to go next time. The costumes are amazing! Do you have any of yourself? I love the children dressed up, and the baby prams! Fabulous photos!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have one of myself but am not going to post it! I really loved the children as mini-versions of their parents – and those prams – how amazing are they?
LikeLiked by 1 person
This looks like so much fun – I love that the visitors really get into the spirit of things!
LikeLiked by 1 person
And each one so individual
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Beyond the Sea / La Mer – ART So Provident
Pingback: Magazine Nostalgia – SNIPS & SNAPS
Amazing event! I love how the rain doesn’t spoil anyone’s fun. The lady cadet was a lovely and unexpected sight, as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Rose
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks like a fun packed week. Great outfits, and fabulous photos. Last year, my sister and partner participated in a banger rally from Calais, or it could have been Southamptom through Europe, to Venise, Italy. They were dressed up like characters from Cluedo, their banger painted like the Cleudo board, and everyday they were challenged to find something or somewhere and take a selfie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had to look it up – Motoscape Rally 2016 – and they send you the costumes and book your accommodation – you have to work out where you are going to be and it ends with a big party. That does sound fabulous – I always loved Cluedo – I would love to be Miss Scarlet – which Cluedo character would you be?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Miss Scarlet, that was my sister, you’ve reminded me, but I’m sure she made her own outfit. And yes, every day they drove from one arranged hotel to the next, meeting up with their friends, with a do and prizes at the end. I’ve played Cluedo once in my life, so I can’t say which character I’d choose to be.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a brilliant blog post. Fascinating and charming.
Great to see Sir Jackie Stewart looking as fit and intense as ever.
The photo of the four WWII veterans put a lump in my throat — thanks to them for our freedom, as always.
And the smiling young woman in the khaki military fatigues is iconic.
Thank you for recording this event in a way that gives a sense of how it feels.
Cheers, JBS
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your kind comments John. I have just had a look at your fascinating blog about Britain – some refreshing posts about the country – I am now following you – Sol
LikeLiked by 1 person