Janet's Comments

Before I continue with the story of Herbert Lyon's Music clubs and inventions, I think it would be an idea to have a break and talk about the reason that I could not continue in the vane that I had been doing in Wingfield.

'Uncle' Bert saw me completing a Vogue pattern tailored suit on one of his visits to 25 Richmond Road when I was nearly 19 in 1963. I had bought the material in the West End of London, where I had trained that year as a Sumlock Comptometer operator, and decided to make my first attempt at a Vogue pattern garment; I was working in Colgate and Palmolive in the accounts Department at their Oxford street head office. "Finish that and put it in the Singer's competition ". Uncle Bert told me, obviously impressed with my handiwork. I was also writing a sting quartet, which he told me to finish. I had already written a Sextet (For string quartet, oboe and clarinet). I will say more about this further on in my story. At this present time I had to finish my suit!

     The Vogue pattern had many pieces to it. In fact, it was like sewing a jigsaw puzzle. I followed the various steps throughout the instructions from cutting out the material to the completed garments finishing touches. I bought expensive black buttons for the jacket. The dress was also in many sections and was fully lined. The jacket had a mandarin styled collar. The material that I used was of a woven mottled black and grey wool type; it was ideal material, as it did not show any flaws in my stitching! 

     I bought a red pillar-box hat. I also wore long black silk gloves and black shoes; I carried a matching black handbag. I was like my father's mother, Nanny, for my hats, shoes, gloves and handbags!

     I not only won the first prize in the tailored section of the singer's competition, but was awarded the overall prize. Singer's told the audience that I had done the work of an A level student. This pleased me, as I did not like entering exams because of my disability!

     Other Wingfield members achieved commendations in the same competition. We were photographed and a story put in a daily newspaper (I think it was the Daily Express). I no longer have that news paper cutting. It showed me, Brenda Banfield, and Diane Haverly who was a "blue baby" (blue blood at birth) in our competition two piece suits. Brenda, with only one arm like Gina, made a blue synthetic material two piece suit.

     The next year I made a Vogue fully inter-lined and lined A line style coat of brown buccal (mottled) material. I was very tired, and as it again had many pieces in the pattern, I had to rush the gold coloured lining. I received a very high recommendation for this piece of work! That same year I moved to 69 Uplands Road Woodford Bridge, and did voluntary missionary work, so did not have much time for future competitions. I still did a lot of dressmaking in order to support myself, and tried to set up my own sewing business under the name of Reittac. I also taught the piano and had four young pupils whom I entered for exams on the piano. More will be said about this later.

I reiterate that Wingfield members were entered for the Singer's Borough sewing competition. This included all clubs and schools. No one could have been more surprised than me when I became the overall winner. 1 had entered a dress and jacket - made from a Vogue designer pattern, which had many pieces to stitch together. Brenda and some of the other club members also entered. During the summing up, Singer's told me that the standard I had achieved was the equivalent to an A level GCE.

     I had wanted to enter the GCE needlework exam at George Gascoigne School, but my dress-making teacher refused to teach me. Ironically, a few years later, Miss Grange was sitting in the front row with my maths mistress, Miss Gill, as I walked down the cat-walk, modelling my winning garment! In my third year at the school, I had made a shirt style dress under her instruction. She was impressed and had promised to enter that dress in the 1969 Singer's competition, but did not fulfil that promise. So, when I started work I vowed to buy the hardest pattern that I could find and purchase the best material my earnings could buy! This was in a tailor's material shop situated in one of the side streets in the West End. I still have a green suit made from a Vogue designer pattern hanging in my wardrobe; the material I had bought from that shop! I always inter-lined my suits with tailor's horsehair as recommended in the Vogue sewing book.  

     I learnt many tips from my court dressmaker "second mum" auntie Vi, my dad's sister, and went on to make coats, dresses, and other tailored suits from Vogue designer patterns. In fact, due to my aunt, I made nearly all my own clothes including knitted garments, plus embroidered table cloths, cushions covers, and chair backs. Violet had learnt her trade in the West End. Queen Mary, wife of George V, used to have her corsets made in the same court dressmakers, a floor below the department where my aunt worked. My aunt told me that Queen Mary used to talk to the girls, while she was being fitted, expressing concern about her son Albert, the then Prince of Wales. She was acting like any ordinary mother concerned for her son!  

     My father's brother's wife was Aunt Eva - Eva Braun was her maiden name and in the place where she worked the girls used to welcome her most mornings with "Where's Hitler Eva?"! - My mother's brother was christened Lord (he renamed himself George !). His wife Aunt Ethel and Aunt Eva who were machinists, and later became supervisors, also gave me quick tips in the sewing business. My mother often helped with the finishing of my garments, especially when I was starting up a sewing business in Woodford Bridge in order to earn my keep while doing full time voluntary Bible teaching work from door to door. I was hoping that God and his son, reigning King Jesus Christ, were pleased at this! I also had four piano pupils, Children from the Kingdom hall!