‘1940s Promenader’ wins Eventbrite’s national ‘Hobby Hero’ competition
Teresa Fisher from Stone in Staffordshire turns 1940s victory rolls into victory sign as she wins against hundreds of other hobbyists to be named the UK’s Hobby Hero
A ‘1940s Promenader’, whose pastime is to dress in vintage 1940s clothing with her husband and visit heritage railways and stately homes, has been named Eventbrite’s Hobby Hero in a national competition that saw hundreds of entries.
Teresa Fisher (50) from Stone in Staffordshire took up the hobby in 2018 with her husband Steve (62) and became hooked after enjoying their first 1940s event at a heritage railway station. Creating her own style of ‘victory rolls’ – Teresa’s hair wasn’t playing ball – and trawling vintage and second hand shops for her outfits, the pair now attend 20 to 30 events every year. And they love it!
Eventbrite’s Hobby Hero competition launched in May to find Britain’s greatest hobbyist and help them share their pastime with others in an effort to get the nation connected again.
The ticketing and event platform chose Teresa as its winner out of ten semi-finalists from around the UK, including an acrobat, hair braider, litter picker, powerlifter, ghost hunter, and even an upcycle crafter who spent three months turning hundreds of crisp packets into an eco inspired ‘crisp packet-jacket’.
Eventbrite was drawn to Teresa’s entry for its creative, unique and fun qualities and her hobby’s potential to bring like-minded people together to share the joy of reliving the flair of a bygone era while creating a visual delight for others.
Teresa, who works for the Chartered Institute of Railway Operators, is ecstatic to be crowned Eventbrite’s Hobby Hero and says she’s going to use part of her prize – £2,500 in cash and £2,500 worth of support from Eventbrite’s experts and ticket fee credits – to help share her passion with others. She has plans to host advice forums and workshops on Eventbrite to help and encourage others to perfect their outfits.
She said: “I can’t believe what started out as a bit of fun has helped me win the Eventbrite Hobby Hero competition. Little did I know it but my tears of frustration at trying to get those victory rolls just right when I first started would lead to me feeling such delight.
“My husband and I attended a heritage railway that was hosting a 1940s event and it was like walking into a real Agatha Christie book! Ladies with fur stoles, red lipstick, fabulous dresses and victory rolls and men with amazing suits, wide legged trousers and hats. I was literally wide eyed with the attention to detail that people displayed and the fun they were having. So we put together an outfit, I attempted victory rolls and we went to our first event. We haven’t looked back since.
“I now have more 1940s clothes and accessories than modern day ones and thoroughly enjoy every moment. I even make my own hats! I spend a lot of time trawling vintage shops and second hand places online looking for original and authentic clothes. It’s a real passion. I like to think that by collecting these items I’m a curator for the 1940s. The impressive spectacle of seeing people dressed in this fabulous style makes for great photos and I think it’s really important to look as authentic as possible. I want people to see me like I saw all those people back at that Heritage Railway – as an extra special accessory I always include an item of jewellery from my late grandmother or late mother in law, a small gesture to my own family history – maybe that’s brought me luck.
“Getting dressed can take a long time in the morning and isn’t without its challenges. I used to end up in tears trying to get those victory rolls right, but I’ve learned to accept that that style just doesn’t suit my hair, so I’ve perfected some alternative styles. I feel incredibly pretty and ladylike when I’m dressed – it’s such a contrast to clothing today with my seamed stockings, hats and gloves.”
The Hobby Hero initiative is supported by one of the world leading experts on wellbeing, Professor Cary Cooper, who advocates using hobbies to boost our mental health.
We Brits love our hobbies! A recent survey by the Pew Institute asked people around the world to list what gives them meaning and happiness in life, and Britain was the only country in the world to put ‘hobbies’ in its top three answers, alongside family and friends.
Psychologist Professor Cary Cooper agrees, saying: “Hobbies can boost your wellbeing because whether you’re knitting, running, hula hooping, abseiling or baking, they offer a great way to take your mind from the stresses of the world and work, take you away from the screen and let you do something positive, creative and fulfilling.
“Teresa’s hobby really stood out and she is a deserving winner. What’s great about her promenading is that it’s a hobby that she shares with her husband, and they meet up with likeminded people, as events such as these provide great social connection.
“After two years of social isolation, it’s a joy to see people connecting through everyday and unusual hobbies that bring them pleasure and, depending on what you do, improve physical fitness, memory or mood. I recommend taking up a new hobby to many people.”
In-person and online activities on Eventbrite such as beekeeping, pottery and yoga helped attendees stay occupied throughout the pandemic. During several lockdowns, Eventbrite saw thousands either continue to pursue their interests or take up new hobbies by joining online workshops and classes.
Eventbrite’s Sebastian Boppert says: “We got hundreds of brilliant entries but Teresa’s entry was so original, had a strong social element, and she was just brimming with the passion and joy her hobby gives her. Teresa had some tough competition, but she stood out as a true Hobby Hero. Aside from her cash prize, our experts will give her the help she needs to host events around 1940s Promenading to help her share the hobby that Teresa and Steve love so much with many others.”