Penelope Knee working at her mother's 1950s sewing machine at the Wolterton costume and textile fair. Photo: Bill Smith

Retro chic on a 1950s theme has seen elegant models sashaying around a north Norfolk stately home this weekend.

Penelope Knee wearing an original 1950s cotton day dress with net petticoats at the Wolterton costume and textile fair. Photo: Bill Smith

Lord and Lady Walpole’s Wolterton Hall is hosting a costume and textile fair celebrating the glamour and style of 60 years ago, in honour of this year’s Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

The two-day event includes fashion shows given by models from the Cromer and Sheringham Operatic and Dramatic Society, who paraded in day, cocktail and evening wear provided by the Sheringham Community Wardrobe.

The shows are taking place in front of spectators seated around tables, in the manner of some old-fashioned London department stores.

Among other attractions is a display of coronation memorabilia, including the robes worn by Lord Walpole’s mother at the ceremony in Westminster Abbey.

Lizzy Whitman wearing a shift dress she made from a curtain. Photo: Bill Smith

Lord Walpole, then aged 14, remembers watching the procession, in pouring rain, from the base of the Big Ben tower. He was disappointed at being too big to squeeze into a page’s outfit which would have allowed him to follow Lord Hastings, who carried a spur in the abbey ceremony.

Other attractions at Wolterton’s 12th costume fair include work by Paston College students.

Designers Lizzy Whitman, from Hingham, and Melanie Venes, from Thornham, are among many stallholders.

Ms Whitman, a self-confessed “fabric-aholic”, makes and embellishes clothes from anything and everything, including curtains and tablecloths.

Jubilee egg cosies for sale in aid of the Rosemary Group cancer charity. Photo: Bill Smith

Ms Venes is showing examples of her weaving based on a 1950s colour palette. She said: “I love the clean lines and classic designs of that era.”

Lady Walpole said she was delighted at the generous response by knitters to an appeal for comforts and cosies.

Dozens of hand-crafted tea cosies, hot-water bottle covers, egg cosies, bed socks and scarves have been donated, raising funds for the Rosemary Group, supporting women with secondary cancer.

● The show continues until 5pm and today also includes an Organics Garden event. Wolterton Hall is near Erpingham, NR11 7LY.