Bygone Times
By Stuart Dale
It was a nice day and I didn't have much to do (well actually, I had lots to do, but
couldn't get motivated), so after a short 'management' meeting, the decision was made
to have a day out. I didn't want to drive too far, and there was a place I had been
planning to visit for some time that was only about an hour away. So after loading
myself and Mrs Dale into the car, we set off in search of the Bygone Times antiques
centre. Bygone Times is situated at Grove Mills, in a small village called Eccleston,
which is near Chorley in Lancashire. It is also the sister mill to the Botany Bay shopping
complex that I reviewed in issue 55 of this magazine, and surprise surprise! Bygone
Times also has a vintage Penny Arcade. The machines in the arcade are owned and run
by Clive Baker, who I am sure you will all be familiar with. Clive is the chap who also
runs the vintage arcade on Southport pier.
The Grove mills site consists of three large rooms, which once held hundreds of
textile machines. Production of textiles finally ceased at Grove mills in the early 1980s,
and the antiques centre was opened a few years later. It is packed with every type of
antiques, collectables & memorabilia and is well worth a visit. There is also a very nice
tea room which is aptly named the 'Spinners tea room and Cafe' . This is situated just
inside the main entrance, so as it was almost lunchtime, we went straight in for a spot of
lunch. As antique centre cafes go, this was one of the best we have ever been in. It was
clean, with friendly staff and the food was very good.
After lunch we spent over an hour wandering through the stalls and displays until
we reached the Penny Arcade. The arcade is in a side room right at the back comer of
mill three. You will know when you are getting near as the fairground music starts to
get louder. Once inside the arcade you are greeted by a good selection of vintage
machines, some are quite unusual and rare. One of which is the Human Analyst; this is
the first time I have ever seen this machine in full working order. In fact, it is stated on a
display card on the machine, that this is one of only two surviving examples of the
Human Analyst. It is a fortune teller, and you are instructed to put one penny in the slot,
and grab hold of the perforated metal bar with both hands. The mirrors inside the
machine start to rotate scanning your face, the machine then delivers a card with a
personally type written prediction just for you. Another rarity was the Grandfathers
Clock grip tester, and again fully working on old penny. There are also two other grip
test machines you can try, just in case you don't like what the first machine says. There
was also the Laughing Sailor, which Mrs Dale can never resist, so I had to put a penny
or two in that one to keep her amused. I also liked the Miser working model in its bright
red case.
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