News and Coming Events
New DVD available now!
As some of you will know, Darren Hesketh has been working on a DVD featuring
many of the vintage machines sited at various venues around the country. It was
originally scheduled for release toward the end of the year, but having pulled out all the
stops with filming and editing, it is available now. The package consists of a two DVD
set, which I'm sure will be of great interest to every reader of this magazine.
The first disc features vintage penny arcades (including my own and Darren's) and
vintage fairground rides, including footage from Carters' fair and Folly Farm. All the
major venues have been included, so this alone would have been a treat. However, the
second disc offers an added bonus with footage from private collections of working
models; automata; Bryans' machines etc. plus interesting toys and bygones. So, this
two disc set is not to be missed! See next page for details.
Slotties' Day Out, Brighton Sat 22 nd September.
A repeat of last year's informal gathering of slotties at Mechanical Memories Museum
- further details next month. You will remember that last year I suggested other
operators could perhaps organise similar get-togethers - with not a great deal of
response! So why not give it a go this time? Let me know what you propose, and I'll
include details in the September issue.
Jukebox Madness, Kempton Park Sat 29 th and Sun 30 th September.
This annual show seems to be much earlier this year. Unfortunately, due to the earlier
dates, it's unlikely I shall make it this time. Anyway, more details next month.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach Auction
A small auction of thirty to forty machines previously operated in the Old Edwardian
Penny Arcade within the Pleasure Beach. The auction was originally to take place at the
Pleasure Beach on 30 th September, but the directors have now decided to send the
machines to Christies. However, at the time of writing, I understand Christies know
nothing about it and have in fact now closed the department, so there will be no more
sales of Slot Machines; Mechanical Music; Scientific Instruments; Cameras etc.
Anyway, assuming they ever get to auction, machines of particular interest will include:
Dennison Air Warden's Dream; Canova Drunkard's Dream; Ruffler & Walker Cycle
Race; 3 X Bollands Pharos fortune tellers; and for anyone with a wide enough front
door, Hawtins Clutching Hand merchandiser.
Central England Vintage Slot Collectors' Show and Auction
Yes, this is the one to look forward to! We haven't fixed a date yet because we haven't
actually got a venue! But it will be in November, and back in the Midlands again - not
necessarily in Coventry, but certainly in the Midlands. I hope to have full details by the
September issue.
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