30 Jul 2024
For nine-year-old Mandeville pupil Aydy Ryan, the good old days were 100 years before he was born.
Because the youngster, who lives in Cottonmill, is obsessed with the bygone Victorian and Edwardian eras of the early 20th century.
He can regularly be seen checking out the treasures at St Albans Vintage Market clad in pin-striped three-piece suit and bowler hat, wielding his stylish silver-topped cane.
Mum Kimberley said: “I absolutely love Aydy’s interest in all things vintage and antique. We’re just worried Aydy will need his own dressing room. We say he was definitely born in the wrong era!”
Aydy’s interest in vintage clothing began three years ago when he was given a 1930s copy of Dickens’ Oliver Twist, and he soon started selling old toys to fund his fascination.
He said he likes St Albans Vintage Market because “it makes me feel like I’m in Victorian times”, and he has developed strong friendships with many of the traders, particularly Ian from BC Curios Vintage Clothing.
At the last market, held every month in St Peter’s Street, he treated himself to a special purchase to complete his look.
“Aydy had a wonderful time at the market on Sunday. Ian from BC Curios made some adjustments to his bowler and he bought himself a hip flask!” added Kimberley.
When he’s not strutting the streets in his vintage finery, Aydy has been attending StageArts drama school in St Albans, and in September he has a small part in a production of Merrily We Roll Along at the Abbey Theatre.
