It was business as usual for us at the IACF antiques fair at Newark this week, until I noticed the elegant lady in the yellow beret, two stands away from us.
(I think she was having a quiet snooze.)
Mr N did not recognise her, but I am well-known in our family for being a mine of interesting information and useless tittle tattle. "She's quite a famous actress!" I whispered excitedly, "And a well-known expert on thimbles and sewing sundries! I'm sure I've seen her on TV, in fact I saw her recently in 'Perfume: The Story of a Murderer', the film of that creepy novel by Patrick Suskind!"
It was indeed Bridget McConnel, who, in the film, plays the aunt of a pretty young woman, foolishly intent on purchasing some perfume.
Here she is back in 1981, in an episode of Tales of the Unexpected. Ms. McConnel's excellent website is here and includes items for sale.
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It isn't the first time I've noticed a famous face on the selling side of antiques - I wonder if you have seen any around the fairs - and do you remember these?
This is Chilham Village Hall in Kent - an amazing tithe barn where we've spent happy hours hunting antiques - after the initial shock of meeting this fine fellow on the door...
...HELP! He's on the left and he was once a famous professional wrestler and antiques fair organizer. Answer a) below.
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Do you remember this dolly bird? She sells antique Scandinavian furniture - and she's Ben Fogle's lovely mum. Answer b).
There may not be many of you old enough to recognise this moody young 1960s rock star from Sheffield, though you may know his hit "The Crying Game", later recorded by Boy George. He's still there and still rockin', but now he also sells antiques at local fairs and in local shops. Answer c).
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a) Jackie Pallo 1926 - 2006
b) Julia Foster
c) Dave Berry
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and when will someone post photos of the Famous Nilly Hall??! xx
ReplyDeleteI've been told that I flit around the fairs like a little brown bird, so I hope I never get caught!
DeleteI am a similar mine of information, Nilly. I recognised everyone - yes, even Jackie Pallo! My granny was an avid wresting fan and the delightful (!) Les Kellett lived in our village and I went to school with his son....you have, as always stirred some memories. The son went on to be a hairdresser....
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So was my granny! What was it with their generation? Mr N kindly explained Les Kellett's reputation to me - I'll bet my granny loved him!
DeleteDave Berry... now that's a face from my past! x
ReplyDeleteHis hair is silver now, Jacqui!
DeleteWell there you go... I didn't know Ben Fogle's mum is Julia Foster and she sells Scandinavian furniture. His sister Tamara Fogle makes fabulous bags out of old sailcloth and grain sacks...I do know that as I have coveted them for a while. A creative family for sure.
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Dream on, Julie - those bags are so pricey! I've sighed over them myself, when perusing Selvedge magazine.
DeleteElaine... I couldn't agree more; every antique programme, photo's of fairs etc., I always look to see if I can spot that diminutive figure of the elusive Miss Nilly.
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May I refer you to my reply to Elaine. But you might be in luck one day, I'm not from a migratory species.
DeleteHmm, I don't know any of them ... perhaps I'm too young, hehe!!
ReplyDeleteI'll believe you, thousands wouldn't, as my mother used to say! (Actually, I DO believe you.)
DeleteGreat post Nilly! I missed the lady in the yellow beret as I scuttled quickly through that hall... I hardly left the stall over the 2 days as we were really busy. it was a good fair.... Lizzie x PS used to have a Dave berry single called little things that I bought at a jumble sale in the 70s!!
ReplyDeleteYes, it was a very good fair, Lizzie - hope Ardingly is the same for you on Tuesday!
DeleteBlimey Jackie Pallo, I remember having to watch him wrestling on the tv on a Saturday. Didn't know she was Fogle's mother. Don't think I remember Dave Berry, remember a film called the crying game with the title music of the same name, Imagine that's the same song? Great post.
ReplyDeleteIt is the same song - I think the film used two versions of it - Dave Berry's and Boy George's.
DeleteDave Berry...how wonderful... and yes I remember the others, but have to admit I didn't recognise them, my daughter's boyfriend is fascinated by Ben Fogle ( well, the adventures he seems to get up to anyway)....didn't know she was his mum. Fascinating stuff Nilly.
ReplyDeleteI think my favourite Ben Fogle adventure was "Castaway" - that seems so long ago now!
DeleteWell spotted, nilly. Ben Fogle's dad is my little pug friend's vet.
ReplyDeleteI seem to remember him Mr Fogle senior was a bit of a TV star himself!
DeleteThis is a step back in time nilly, no I have never seen anyone famous on my travels. I do remember Jacky Pallo as I used to go to the wrestling with my father, we loved it. I was always ill (car sick) as I used to get so over excited and shout and scream at the wrestlers. Happy memories. I never knew Julia Foster was Ben Fogle's mum.
ReplyDeleteWhat an adventure - I wonder if you saw any of those old ladies bashing wrestlers with their handbags? My granny loved it!
DeleteWhat a brilliant ,unusual post! I did enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if you see many celebs on your travels in the West Country? I hear there are many living in those delightful parts.
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