While most of my relatives are from the 1900's, I was delighted to have the opportunity to "meet" Great x10 Uncle Erik on a Viking themed photo-shoot in 2021
Meet The Uncles
Based in the lovely village of Great Wilkeston here's just some of the residents.
Ben - Police Constable, Sergeant and Superintendent, taking us through various stages of his career, and as we all have a favourite uncle, he's mine.
Ernest - Milkman, not the fastest but always reliable.
Bertie - Country Gent, does love his tweeds.
Basil - Family black sheep, never worked in his life and never buys a drink!
George - Says he works at the bank, but rumour has it his work is much more important.
Jack - Butcher, always has something available "off rations."
Rod - Chimney Sweep, don't shake his hand, the soot gets everywhere!
Josiah - Undertaker, has an uncanny eye for people's height and width. ;-)
Billy - Entertainer, once he starts that barrel organ though, there's no escape!
William Gilbert - Golfer and Cricketer but not very good at either.
Maurice - Local church Warden. Never seen to be smiling.
Cyril - Bus Conductor. Has delusions of grandeur, waiting for the promotion to Inspector.
Father Green - Local Priest, always keen to share the "Holy Water."
Algernon - School Teacher, very old fashioned in his methods though.
Richard - Describes himself as a Handyman but don't give him anything too complicated.
Vince - Artist, seems to love painting trains, well only one actually.
Todd - Barber, just be careful ......
Michael - Local St. Johns Ambulance Divisional Officer. Always on the lookout for a customer.
Walter - Corps of Commissaires - Walter struggled to find employment after WW1 but can now be found outside all the best places.
William - Doing his bit for the war effort as ARP Warden. Just hope he doesn't get promoted as he's a stickler for detail, especially lights being left on!
Alan - your friendly local GP.
Thomas - The newly appointed Great Wilkeston Railway Station Master.
Ben E'Dikt - Head Monk at the very exclusive Monastry on the edge of Great Wilkeston.
Minrel - A self-appointed "Wizard" who can often be found sitting at a round table ;-)
Who Are The Great Uncles?
How It All Began
In 2010 my wife and I visited Whitby for a weekend break and of course the obligatory journey on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. Little did we know it was their 1940's themed Railway in Wartime weekend, we were hooked.
But it was 2015 before we jumped into the world of re-enactment with my portrayal of the first of what were to become The Great Uncles. After a career in the Police, portraying a police officer (Great Uncle Ben) was something I felt comfortable with but realised I needed something else to wear at times.
A discovery of the details of a relative, my Great Uncle, who had served with Manchester City Police in the early 1900's gave me the hint I needed and so the "family" developed.
An excellent image of Great Uncle Vince created by photographer Dave Boam.