M5Clive Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 (edited) Whilst down at War and Fleece, Andrea Benham and her Land Army Girls - aptly named 'Nell's Belle's,' did a few drive outs in the evening - Well if its good enough for those tank boys.............. 45 minutes later and the old Fordson had got almost as far as the Ginger Gammon Bar, such is the speed of the brute with a women driver! I think daughter Elly summed it up when she returned from one of their evening trundles and said with great excitement "Everyone waved and was so friendly - Even the Germans!" I told her to be careful however, otherwise "Her name vil go on ze list!" On Sunday they were all invited down into the arena (or Jack's hallowed ground as it has now been renamed) to pick up an award for best runner-up miscellaneous vehicle of show (or something like that!) In my opinion the award was very well deserved - especially as Suzanne (driving the tractor 6 months pregnant) and Elly (on Nurse Glady's bike) participated with such enthuasium - but then I would say a biase thing like that wouldn't I......! Well done to Andrea and all of Nelle's Belle's for bringing a lighthearted ray of sunshine to an otherwise olive drab field! All photographs by Cds Edited July 31, 2008 by M5Clive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 Yes well done to the girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Farrant Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 Great pictures, Clive ! I saw the girls driving round a few times, they reminded me of photos of my Mother's days in the WLA, although she did not drive tractors. She has just received her WLA Commerative badge from the Government..........took them 64 years to get around to it Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cripp Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 They had a good display. We were camped by them and I watched a lot of time spent on the 'Nell's Belle's display. I think she spent about an hour one day polishing the shoes on the mannequin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HotBed Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 wot o clive, is there any chance you could find out where the girls got their uniforms as my wife is thinking of dressing up as WLA as her late fathers bedford oy has a WLA and forestry body on it, so when she drives it she will look the part regards graham Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M5Clive Posted July 31, 2008 Author Share Posted July 31, 2008 They had a good display. We were camped by them and I watched a lot of time spent on the 'Nell's Belle's display. I think she spent about an hour one day polishing the shoes on the mannequin. I think this picture must have been taken before the polishing commenced - The shoes are hidden from view! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowtracdave Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 wot o clive, is there any chance you could find out where the girls got their uniforms as my wife is thinking of dressing up as WLA as her late fathers bedford oy has a WLA and forestry body on it, so when she drives it she will look the part regards graham Have seen both genuine and repro kit on ebay but it tends to be either expensive or horrendously expensive . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poptopshed Posted August 1, 2008 Share Posted August 1, 2008 Lovely Pictures. :-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted August 1, 2008 Share Posted August 1, 2008 Great pictures Clive - am I the only one on here who can't take decent pictures :argh: I saw those ladies too - that kept whistling and winking at me and asking me if I was married..........:blush::whistle: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted August 1, 2008 Share Posted August 1, 2008 Just keep'em away from things with tracks, then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HotBed Posted August 1, 2008 Share Posted August 1, 2008 Have seen both genuine and repro kit on ebay but it tends to be either expensive or horrendously expensive . thanks dave, will keep an eye on ebay but does not look promising, still i might be lucky :cool2: regards graham Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M5Clive Posted August 1, 2008 Author Share Posted August 1, 2008 The Land Army jumpers are hand knitted from an original 1940's pattern The trousers and dungeree's are a combination of original and repro, both of which are not easy-peezey to find, but you can pick up the odd item at Malvern, Stoneleigh etc. The shirts are repro (an airtex top from Primark will actually suffice!) Brown lace-up period style shoes are ok for footware. The Tractor is a 1940 Fordson N - Original........! Cheers Clive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M5Clive Posted August 1, 2008 Author Share Posted August 1, 2008 Great pictures Clive - am I the only one on here who can't take decent pictures :argh: I saw those ladies too - that kept whistling and winking at me and asking me if I was married..........:blush::whistle: I find the secret to getting good photo's is to use a big lense - In this case a 300 mm Nikkon telephoto and walk a long way away from your subject, and then pull-them up close with your lense. The result - A far more powerful shot all around. The very first pic in sepia of the three girls on the tractor driving towards me was shot from a long way off, but pulled-in close. People also act far more natural when your not breathing a camera down their neck from 3 feet distance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HotBed Posted August 1, 2008 Share Posted August 1, 2008 thanks clive, the wife does t knit so i will ask her mum as for the rest it looks like ive got to hunt them out for next year, as for the fordson i think i will keep the oy regards graham Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtistsRifles Posted August 1, 2008 Share Posted August 1, 2008 I saw the Ladies rumbling about on the tractor a couple of times - VERY impressed and a nice sight to see!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john wheatley (R.I.P.) Posted August 1, 2008 Share Posted August 1, 2008 wot o clive, is there any chance you could find out where the girls got their uniforms as my wife is thinking of dressing up as WLA as her late fathers bedford oy has a WLA and forestry body on it, so when she drives it she will look the part regards graham Hi Graham, Try Warhorse at Dover. 01304823341. They are very helpful people. Regards, John. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted August 1, 2008 Share Posted August 1, 2008 Yep - really makes a nice change to see the ladies doing their bit - makes a nice change, especially the Fordson - have memories of cracking those flipping things over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowtracdave Posted August 2, 2008 Share Posted August 2, 2008 Got a '42 Fordson Standard if anybody gets really keen :-D ( Not quite in one piece just at the mo tho) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeEnfield Posted August 2, 2008 Share Posted August 2, 2008 Great pic's,.............I saw them trundling about, grand to see; and well done to them for winning the award. Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HotBed Posted August 3, 2008 Share Posted August 3, 2008 Hi Graham,Try Warhorse at Dover. 01304823341. They are very helpful people. Regards, John. john :thanx: graham Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PanzerJohn Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 They did a fantastic job, it was such an original idea and so well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bromptonboy Posted May 20, 2010 Share Posted May 20, 2010 Can anyone help me with a contact for Nelles Belles please? I am putting Salute to the 40's together at the Historic Dockyard Chatham on 18 & 19 September and have two areas that could be dedicated to farming and the Land Army girls. We have tractors, a thresher and other bits and pieces, and a mini-orchard. We may also have some shire horses and other animals so it looks set for a fun weekend. See www.thedockyard.co.uk or phone me on 01634-823821. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodge Deep Posted May 20, 2010 Share Posted May 20, 2010 The barn where i keep me truck has a pre war fordson that belonged to the late husband of the lady i rent the barn from...it hasn't turned a wheel in 20+ years... covered in dust (& my crap!) she keeps telling me if we can get it started we can use it for my mum to drive when doing her WLA thing... getting tempted now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeEnfield Posted May 20, 2010 Share Posted May 20, 2010 The barn where i keep me truck has a pre war fordson that belonged to the late husband of the lady i rent the barn from...it hasn't turned a wheel in 20+ years... covered in dust (& my crap!) she keeps telling me if we can get it started we can use it for my mum to drive when doing her WLA thing... getting tempted now! Go On,.......you know you want to,..............if just for the pleasure of driving something DECENT........:cool2::whistle: :nut: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Degsy Posted May 20, 2010 Share Posted May 20, 2010 Go for it Roop if nothing else it''ll give you plenty of exercise:sweat: and remember not to get your thumb wrong side of the starting handle or do what a neighbour did many years ago. After much winding on the handle with no result he decided to check the fuel, removed the fuel cap but not being exactly the brightest star in the firmament:nut: he then lit a match as he couldn't see anything:nono:. Needless to say he was burnt about the face, head and hands, losing his hair and eyebrows in the process Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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