poke

"Look out for artists such as Kate Greenaway who painted pretty children for Christmas cards, often wearing poke bonnets," she says.

For more info, contact the Ironbridge Tourist Information Centre on 01952 433 424 or visit www.ironbridge.org.uk Austen at the Abbey Whether you are in want of a husband, a wife or enjoy hearing tales told by women in poke bonnets, slip along to Stoneleigh Abbey, just outside Kenilworth, on Sunday August 28 and step back in time.

We women aren't living in a Jane Austenish world of poke bonnets and mittens.

"Here we shall always find old ladies dressed as 250 years ago, in poke bonnets and shawls.

Little be-smocked girls running around in poke bonnets, croquet on the lawn, pie-crust collars, pretty pinafores and enough florals to make Alan Titchmarsh shake in his wellies.