March 2024

17 Buckden Roundabout March 2024 Village News W.I. At our February Meeting what a treat we had. Queen Victoria turned up looking very stern. In fact, it was Eve Bacon who has been an history enactor for thirty years, dressed as Queen Victoria. Eve had been to us before and gave us an interesting talk on spices, so we knew we were in for a good evening. After being told by many people that she looked like Queen Victoria, Eve Bacon researched her past and devel- oped the characterisation. She used historic costume experts to design and make her costumes, which are based on photo- graphs of Queen Victoria in the 1870/80s. Eve transforms into an uncanny representation of Queen Victoria. When Eve en- tered the room, we all gasped to see how authentic she looked. It was amazing the way she held herself. Once in the room Eve made herself comfortable and was her- self telling her story of enacting Queen Victoria. Eve had to look for historical dressmakers who were able to make replicas of Victoria's clothes. She visited many markets and antique shops to find material and props, sometimes cheap sometimes very expensive. Eve then showed us her clothes and how they were made, and we were able to examine them for ourselves. Corsets were very popular in Victorian times and Eve told us how they were made and how to wear them so that dresses, which were full skirted, hung well. Victoria's underwear also included drawers, chemise, and black silk stockings with boots. Dresses were often black made from taffeta, often with a bustle pad under- neath. Trimmings on the clothes were tiny buttons, lace, and beads, which Eve often sewed on herself, to save on expendi- ture. Other clothes included hat, morning cap, veils, and tiaras. The Regalia Eve wore she took off and explained it all and then passed round for us all to see. There was a sash with a Garter Star on it, order of Victoria and Albert and the Imperial Order of the Crown of India. Eve wore lots of rings, and earrings and brooches played their part in the enactment, as Queen Victoria did. Gloves, capes, and shawls for every occasion were also needed. Her bag was very interesting as it had another bag inside it, and we all en- joyed looking at this and thought how useful it would be. Walking sticks, umbrellas, parasols again were all needed. In Victorian times you needed a fan and Eve had one made and the tassels on it were made by a Royal tassel maker, who in fact made tassels for King Charles the third Coronation, this was an interesting fact to hear. On her retirement Eve treated herself to a bodice train and crown which was a replica of Queen Victorias. The crown can be taken apart so that it can be used as a coronet or crown. Eve kept the audience enthralled as she is a very good lively enthusiastic speaker. We all enjoyed the evening and hope that Eve may visit us again with a different talk. Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 5th March at 7:30pm in the Millard Suite and it will be our Annual General Meeting followed by a social event. We warmly welcome new members and visitors so if you would like more information please contact: Emma Spencer 07960 018412 Judith Armitage – 01480 811717 Buckden Neighbourhood Watch KEEP YOUR CAR AND CONTENTS SAFE. DON ’ T MAKE IT EASY FOR THE THIEVES. In recent weeks, been an increase in thefts from vehicles throughout Huntingdonshire. It ’ s crucial for all of us to stay vigilant and safeguard our property. Here are some essential crime prevention tips to help protect your vehicle and belongings. SECURE YOUR VEHICLE AND FOLLOW THESE CRIME PREVEN- TION TIPS. 1. Always lock your car! Don ’ t make it easy for thieves by leaving your vehicle unlocked. 2. Avoid leaving any valuable items, like phones, wallets, or bags on display. Thieves are less likely to break in if they don ’ t see anything tempting. 3. Choose well - lit parking spots, especially at night, to de- ter potential criminals. 4. Consider investing in anti - theft devices such as steering wheel locks, car alarms, or GPS tracking system to make your vehicle less attractive to thieves. 5. Never leave spare keys, including house keys, in your vehicle. Thieves could use them to gain access to your home. If you see anything unusual or suspicious in your neighbour- hood, report it to the police by calling 101 or visiting https:// bit.ly /3J4Qhqi Together we can reduce the risk of theft from vehicle and cre- ate a safer environment for all. Please share these tips with your family, friends, and neighbourhood to raise awareness and ensure everyone ’ s safety. For more information on how to protect your vehicle, visit dedicated webpage https://bit.ly/3MKxRBE RICHARD WEST Village Coordinator 01480 811467 / 07841 866630 To contact the police: 999 in an emergency; 0800 555 111 Crime Stoppers; 0300 123 2040 Action Fraud. EMAIL burglarycrackdown@cambs.pnn.police.uk or visit www.crimestoppers.uk.org or you can telephone 101