As Russian currency could not be taken outside Russia, and with briefcases bulging
with roubles, the UK exhibitors had to use their currency to buy relatively pointless
products if and when they could find them. Needless to say, some of the roubles were
spent at the British Embassy club on alcohol and when they were leaving Moscow
they left behind what roubles they had at the club instructing them to spend them on
fellow Brits. Then on a return visit in 1972, Ian and his fellow exhibitors found there
were still enough roubles left to quench their thirst!
Bucharest (Romania) in 1972 was a different matter. It was Ian's first solo trip
and the first disaster was that the brand new articulated 40ft lorry which was the pride
and joy of driver Brian Hartshorn of Mayfield Diamond was held up at Customs.
Eventually, after numerous phone calls (remember, there were no mobile phones in
those days) the lorry and the machines turned up. They were there for a week and
again only allowed to exhibit for one hour for three days - this time to officials only,
as no public were allowed here.
The intrepid travellers: Industry luminaries, Alan Willis (BACT A), Alan Wilson,
Gerry Bowyer and his brother Peter, Shane Breaks, Derek Tomlinson,
Ian's father and Peter? from Streets.
Page 11