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Mechanical Memories Magazine

Issue: 2006-December - Issue 8

Come and visit the Penny Arcade, which was almost burnt to the ground! Yes, we did
have a fire on the premises early last year and we suffered badly from the smoke
damage. Although believe it or not, we were back up and running the following week,
despite the fact that a large part of the Cheshire Workshops site had to be totally rebuilt!
I'm sure these vintage arcades are cursed! For at least a couple of months visitors to the
arcade had to wash their smoky/waxy hands after handling the machines. Anyway,
they're all cleaned up now; it only took around six months!
What delights do we have on offer? I hear you ask. Well, how about four (yes,
count 'em) different Haunted House working models, including examples by both Kraft
and Bolland. Working models play a large part in our display and are all suitably
located in what is reputed to be the haunted part of the building! Other ghastly models
on display include: The Haunted Churchyard; The Guillotine; The Burglar; Laughing
Sailor; Jazz band thing; huge dancing Pelham Puppet etc ..... By the way, some of these
machines are featured in the pages of some book or other! (Never 'eard of it - Ed.).
See the fabulous and unique coin-operated working model Fairground, a true work
of art (although the Chair-0-Planes have long since actually worked)! Numerous
allwins and other wall machines are also here to play plus shooting games (yes, you
guessed it, scary ones once again - a recurring theme) including a re-vamped Skeleton
Shooter which also features great sound effects, plus a Crompton' s Cave of Horrors.
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We also have two unique Pelham Puppet shows; Magic machines; Steer-a-Ball (two
versions including one that's vertical)! Plus that infuriating Steer-a-Coin. Let' s not forget
the Mutoscopes; Fortune Tellers and some weird and wonderful (and scary once again)
3D viewing machines, including a Bryan's Ants Nest conversion you have to see to
believe, plus the absolutely grotesque ' Yeti' (you can hear the shrieks from the back
room)! We also have an original Clown Catcher, circa 1900, yes the oldest one in
existence! (OK, so one or two of the dates on the machines may be a work of fiction .
Does anyone really care)? Finally, why not try your skill on the 1930s crane to win some
wonderful prises? Or play the original 1930s pintable (yes I even operate one of these for
my sins) which features only three balls to play, as players tend to get seriously bored
using more than that. In fact, the only thing we 're really short of is a two-player game, so
anyone wishing to donate one will receive an extra pot of pennies on entry - can't say
fairer than that! And please remember, any complaints of breakdowns must be submitted
in writing!
After all that fun and excitement, why not relax in the cafe with a delicious bacon
butty and a nice cup of tea. And finally finish off the day with a mouth watering Cheshire
Dairies ice cream from the nearby Ice Cream Farm - mmm delicious. What with the slot
machines, jokes and ice cream it' s just like being at the seaside! Should you be tempted
to pay us a visit, why not treat yourself and make a weekend of it? You could visit
Chester and Southport at the same time - what a fabulous weekend that would be,
visiting the North's two biggest arcades. There's an abundance of B+Bs and hotels to
choose from at both locations.
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Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).

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