Hedingham School girl Poppy Hillman-Crouch wants to act after learning how to make historical clothes

Poppy Hillman-Crouch is fascinated by clothing from the Mediaeval, Tudor, Georgian and Victorian periods and makes her own historically accurate dresses.

The 13-year-old now wants to put her skills to use by taking part in role-play events at castles and mansions in the area.

The Hedingham School pupil said: “I just think it’s so much nicer and interesting than the modern clothing we have now.

“I have got quite a few. I have also made stuff for my sister Kitty, like skirts and dresses.

“For my birthday I made a 1940s wraparound dress which I wore for a VE Day celebration.

“They can be quite complex.”

Poppy, of Petersfield Lane, Gosfield, injured her ankle doing cross country while still at Gosfield Primary School.

She developed Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, which means nerves cannot turn off pain signals to the brain, and spent a year in a wheelchair until being successfully treated at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Poppy said: “When I was ill and in a wheelchair I wanted to take my mind of stuff so I taught myself to sew.

“At primary school we did Anglo Saxons. I made my own outfit and when I did my class assembly I would wear it.

“I did a Greek goddess one, so I knew how to sow, and I taught myself how to sow bags and aprons as well.”

Poppy said she has made enquiries at Kentwell Hall in Sudbury and was told she must wait until next year before she is old enough to be considered by them.

She is set to meet a living history group at Hedingham Castle but would like to hear from re-enactment groups who are willing to take her on.

Poppy also makes “steam-punk” clothes, which combine a Victorian aesthetic with modern fashion, and plans to make a leather vest for archaeologist dad Barry.

He said: “I think my job has influenced her.

“Ironically, when she was younger she was terrified of re-enactors, but now she wants to be one.”