Hot Kettle Alice's Page

Unlike Judge, I wasn't all that keen on the Western films in my youth, my childhood dream was to wear the big crinoline style dresses as seen in 'Gone With The Wind'. There's not many places to wear such a dress, even if one was to hand, so that dream was forgotten until I became a westerner. The dress pictured opposite is special in many ways, it was originally owned by Sheila Boulton, a western lady who was renowned for making beautiful Southern ballgowns, and who, sadly, has since  died.

I got the name "Alice" from the Doctor Hook song "Livin' Next Door to Alice", and the Hot Kettle part was added later by friends who call at our camp during western events for a cup of tea or coffee, as it is a sure bet the kettle is on.

I prefers to portray a townswoman, whether it be the shopkeeper or the Judge's wife. However I'm  always happy to be a dance-hall girl or a lady bandit when necessary. I   can shoot fairly straight with a Winchester (although I'm useless with a pistol) and I'm happy to get 'shot' in the shows, falling down with a flash of petticoats and  drawers! Like Judge, I try to dress as authentically as possible, and spend time researching 19th century clothing. I've started making my own clothes recently, although I'm sure not a seamstress, but my first efforts aren't too bad for a beginner.

Being a Laredo member gives me the opportunity to dress up for the evenings in the town's Hotel

In 2006 Judge and I joined Laredo Western Club, we have a building in their western town (see the photos in the Album section) Laredo performed shows and Living History camp at the Hop Farm in Kent. Here I am cooking our evening meal.