A Lotta Wind

1976.  Illustrations by John W. Wood, E. Bruce, B. Hiley and J. Pelling.

Brading Wax Museum

Many many years ago my friend and I jumped (literally did) on our bikes and headed of into Portsmouth to get the Sealink Ferry to the Isle of Wight. Our mission was to cycle to Brading to go to  Osborn Smith's Wax Museum.

When we finally got there we were not disappointed. Roundhead Soldiers, opening and closing coffins, deathly hands, naked scullery maids, devils head, stocks, and loads more to keep us entertained. Satisfied for the day we left vowing to return the following summer. Sadly many summers came and went before I managed to get back to Brading. When I did finally return it was run down tatty and had not really changed………and I loved it. A few more years passed and I returned again with daughter and her friends in tow. When we got there it was closed and due for demolition, we all stood outside looking through the dusty and dirty old windows trying to get a glimpse of the interior, it was a sad old scene to see. The Wax Museum has now gone, it was demolished in 2012 and the contents auctioned off. The Tudor house is still there and is now an Antique, Vintage Retro Emporium with the wonderful old Courtyard still very prominent. 

Will I pay it a visit?? maybe one day.

Old Official Brading Wax Museum Clips 
The Last Weekend Open 

This is Concrete

Published by the Cement and Concrete Association in 1979 (and 1981).

Does anybody recognise that water tower?

The Joy of Cassettes

Various lovingly crafted comps swapped between me and my not-yet-missus-back-then, between '87 and '92-ish.  Most of the above happen to use newspapers and mags, but the need for material for compilation tape covers was the main reason I started looking for old books in charity shops.

Note innovative use of mountboard, stuck to cassette case.  Also: Letraset!  Also: COMPILATION, not MIX TAPE.

Luch's Mouse Trap

German mouse trap sent by a friend from Dusseldorf.