Teresa Fisher, from Stone, is one of 10 semi-finalists in the Eventbrite national ‘Hobby Hero’ competition that saw hundreds of entries from across the country.
Teresa Fisher, aged 50 from Stone in Staffordshire, describes herself as a ‘1940s promenader.’ Her hobby, which involves dressing in vintage 1940s clothes and visiting heritage railways and stately homes, has made it through to the semi-finals of Eventbrite’s Hobby Hero competition, which saw hundreds of entries from throughout the UK.
Eventbrite’s Hobby Hero competition launched in May to find Britain’s greatest hobbyist and help them share their pastime with others in an effort to get the nation connected again.
Teresa, who works for the Chartered Institute of Railway Operators, took up the hobby in 2018 with her husband, Steve, aged 62. After attending their first 1940s event at Churnet Valley heritage railway station, the pair were hooked, and they now attend around twenty to thirty events every year in their vintage outfits.
If Teresa wins the competition, she will receive a £5,000 prize –- £2,500 in cash and £2,500 worth of support from Eventbrite’s experts to help share her passion with others.
Teresa told A Little Bit of Stone:
“My husband and I attended a heritage railway that was hosting a 1940s event and it was like walking into a real Agatha Christie book! Ladies with fur stoles, red lipstick, fabulous dresses and victory rolls, men with amazing suits, wide-legged trousers and hats.
I was literally wide-eyed with the attention to detail that people displayed and the fun they were having. The atmosphere was enhanced with music, dancers and entertainment. The promenaders were members of the public. So we put together an outfit, I attempted victory rolls and we went to our first event. We haven’t looked back since.
“I now have more 1940s clothes and accessories than modern-day and thoroughly enjoy every moment – from filling the calendar with events, planning the outfits – even making my own hats! I spend a lot of time trawling vintage shops and second-hand places online looking for original and authentic clothes. It’s a real passion. I like to think that by collecting these items I’m a curator for items from the 1940s that need looking after.
“Getting dressed can take a long time in the morning, and isn’t without its challenges. I used to end up in tears trying to emulate the victory rolls, but I’ve learned to accept that that style just doesn’t suit my hair, so I’ve perfected an alternative style. I feel incredibly pretty and ladylike when I’m dressed – it’s such a contrast to clothing today. I always wear a piece of jewellery from either my late grandmother or my late mother-in-law – makes an outfit extra personal and extra special to be wearing a brooch or necklace linked to my own family history.
By attending a 1940-themed event dressed the way we do we, along with all the other promenaders, are adding to the atmosphere, we do all we can to ensure that we are looking appropriately authentic – no modern accessories. My mobile phone is hidden from view inside a book, so I won’t spoil the image I’m trying to portray, but I can still check in with the children during the day! My husband and I have our sandwiches wrapped in brown paper and string and even carry vintage cups and saucers to avoid having a polystyrene cup of tea!
“A lot of friends are fascinated by what we do. I’m always encouraging them to come along and join in the fun. If I win this competition I’d love to host advice forums and workshops on Eventbrite to help and encourage others to perfect their outfits, plus support some local events with a 1940s theme. It would be amazing to have a 1940s event in Stone!”
Eventbrite’s Sebastian Boppert said:
“The entries we received ranged from the more traditional to the weird and wonderful and Teresa’s stood out as an original and unusual hobby. Her entry came with wonderful photography and she’s clearly very passionate about the events she attends. I wish her all the best as one of our semi-finalists.
“Our Hobby Hero winner to be someone with enthusiasm and dedication, who wants to share it with others and maybe even earn some money with it. A strong entry like Teresa’s certainly fits the bill.”
Semi-finalists have been chosen from each region in the UK to reach the national final and a panel of judges will announce the winner at the end of July.
