Editorial
Hello, and here we are at last with Issue 55 of Mechanical Memories Magazine. It
seems ages since the last mag., but then I did get that out early (by my standards, at
least). I just about managed to get it back from the printers literally the day before the
school holidays, but then as I was in Brighton every day, it took the best part of a
week to get (most of) the mags in the post. Unfortunately, there were a few that
slipped the net, particularly the internationals, so apologies to those of you who
received yours really late. I did the best I could, but not getting home from Brighton
until after 9.00 most evenings hardly set the mood for stuffing envelopes and sticking
stamps and address labels.
And on the subject of Brighton, you may not see another magazine for a few
years as it is more than likely I shall be serving a considerable amount of time at Her
Majesty's pleasure! Because if just one more person says "Bet you had a great Easter
with all that hot weather" I'm almost certain to commit a violent act of murder. No, I
didn't have a great Easter, in fact it's the worst I've ever had. Sure, there were plenty
of punters, but they were the wrong punters. They were the time wasters we normally
expect in June and July - just down to the seaside to lounge about and make the beach
look untidy! Things haven' t improved either. People, particularly families, are not
coming out, and those that do are not spending any money. This year looks set to be
crap, and frankly, I think it is unlikely the situation will improve in the foreseeable
future . It would be interesting to know how other vintage operators are getting on (or
anyone in the leisure industry in general). I know Clive had a good Easter up in
Southport, but then he does have a captive audience, his arcade being the only
attraction on the pier. Anyway, drop me a line and let me know how things are (and if
at all possible, enclose a couple of fifty pound notes)!
Well, that' s about it for now - rant over. Another couple of weeks, and school half term
will be with us, so as usual I shall be open at Brighton for the week. If you're in the area,
do pop down to see me .. ...... .. ...... and bring a bus load of kids with loads of money to
spend on the machines!
Till next time, all the best
Jerry
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