The Heritage Buddy

 Following on from my VE Day performance at my autism group (read here) , I offered to my peers and their friends and family if I could perform some heritage interpretation at any events they may run; I then got an act up and running again when I was invited to perform at an inclusive music festival (as well as selling some of my arts and crafts).  With my first VE Day performance being a drag-act (despite having a uniform I considered gender neutral from being a Civil Defence uniform and it was a uniform designed for women) and with the second I performed to the age group below me in a dress inspired by Vera Lynn's White Cliffs of Dover (referencing my autism group's talent show in 2017 when I performed that song in honour of her 100th birthday), I spent a good bit of time debating whether it would be drag or dress (one of the most difficult decisions to make as a non-binary genderfluid reenactor).  I happened to be scrolling on Instagram when I discovered a fellow reena...

 6th June 2024 - 80th Anniversary of D-Day Did you know that HMS Belfast was involved with the D-Day landings off the Normandy Coast? The Town-class light cruiser was one of the first ships to open fire as early as 05:27am on 6th June 1944.  It had been quite a long time since I supported some conservation-based family activities on board the Belfast and met up with the volunteer leader to learn about the visitor experience side of volunteering 2 weeks prior. 2024 was a big year for  Queen B  (as I affectionately call her -  not  to be confused with Beyonce), because it marks the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings. I was kindly invited to the gun salute to commemorate the historic event and the ship's involvement.  As a 'homecoming' volunteer, I fantasised me and Frankenstein (the ship’s cat) being 'piped aboard' (where the boatswain or an officer will blow 'pipes' on a call when a VIP visits a ship - a call is like a whistle or flute used to give ...

Happy Volunteers Week 2025! It is volunteers week this week and can only mean one thing... a huge celebration of volunteering in lots of different sectors and celebrating the work of volunteers themselves. It is not just charities, children's services, care homes and animal rescue centres where people volunteer, it also includes museums, arts and culture. I first started volunteering as a poppy collector with the Royal British Legion which was a heartwarming experience and considering going back when the time comes as I have done some individual fundraising for them since. I am proud to share I have been involved with museums for 8 years which has been such an incredible journey. I'll start by sharing where it all began: my autism group set up a work experience project with the Museum of London in their archives and collections. The title itself is self explanatory; the Museum of London explores the history of London from the Roman settlements in Britain (whereby London was kno...

There is literally a lot for me to write about and writing continuous prose takes a lot of brain power that I lose at least two spoons (if you know the spoon theory and you fellow AuDHDers would understand how much energy it can take up). I will catch up eventually! On Tuesday 6th May 2025, me and a friend thought we’d spend the evening in Central London to see historic landmarks and bridges along the Thames light up red, white and blue for the 80th anniversary of VE Day (Victory in Europe Day). We arrived really early so we could take our time and not rush, starting with a slow stroll from Westminster and Lambeth down towards Tower Bridge via the Southbank to the Tower of London, thinking we’d get a good glimpse of the poppies. Making our way to the Tower of London, we stopped at the end of Hay’s Galleria for me to pose with HMS Belfast in my Agent Carter-inspired dress which is red, white and blue and considering the character played by Hayley Atwell in the Marvel Cinematic Universe...