Mechanical Memories Magazine

Issue: 2014-September - Issue 86

Editorial
Well, here we at last. Once again, it's been a very long wait - I bet you all thought I'd
gone off and bought a pier! Although I did say in the last magazine that I intended
getting the May and June issues out in July, I sort of knew at the time that it was over-
optimistic, even by my standards. The fact is, I've been continuously grappling with
the carnage created by the storm at Brighton back in February, and there is still much
to do. With everything else I had planned for this year, including a couple of major
projects, I'm afraid we'll just have to forget the May and June magazines - I will of
course credit everyone's subscription period with two months.
I'm hoping I shall now be able to get back on track and get the magazine out as
usual.. .. . .late every month, rather than three months late! However, at the time of
writing, it looks likely that you won't actually receive this until October. The good
news is that the October magazine will follow shortly - the October magazine
definitely can't be late because the entry forms for the Coventry auction will be
included (which incidentally, just as a reminder, is on the 30 th November).
ALLWIN SPARES SITE
I know many of you noticed that I took alwinspares.co.uk off-line after the storm,
simply because I needed to focus my time at Brighton (although a few people did
manage to access the site, I guess via cached pages). A couple of months later, I did
open up the site again, but have now closed it down permanently - the problem is the
bloody Post Office.
For those of you who are not familiar with this area, Dartford is a fairly major
town in NW Kent, population 88,000. Guess how many post offices we have? That's
right, one. And here lies the problem: I just don' t have the time to drive into the town
centre, park and then make my way to the post office and stand for three hours in the
long snaky queue just to post twenty quid ' s worth of allwin bits!
I do have many parts in stock, so they are still theoretically available, but please
don't ask me to post (unless you want to pay £50 postage). I do intend having parts
available at the Coventry auction, so I'll remind you all nearer the time.
Continued on next page
Front Cover picture: the Ark at the Scarborough Fair Collection
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JOHN MORLEY
It is with great sadness that I have to report that John Morley died on 27 th August. I
know John will be missed by all who knew him; and for many, a visit to the Great
Dorset Steam Fair will never be the same.
I've known John for almost as long as I've been collecting, meeting him first at
the Saffron Walden auctions back in the 90s. He was an unmistakable character with
his big bushy beard and blue cap (Sharron quickly nicknamed him Captain Birdseye).
Many readers will be familiar with John's vintage arcade and fairground rides,
which included chair-o-planes, train ride and swingboats, complete with vintage
transport; a formidable amount of tackle for one man and a small band of helpers. But
John enjoyed what he did and was truly dedicated to the cause.
Regrettably, I never got to see John's arcade and fairground rides operating, but I
do have very fond memories of a visit to his home a few years back, where he
enthusiastically treated me to an extensive guided tour of his vintage equipment. John
even partially built-up the arcade for me.
John was a great talker, always ready to impart knowledge and always with
enthusiasm. Over the years I've enjoyed many conversations with him, but if I ever
phoned him in the evening, I'd make sure it wasn't a night I planned to go to the pub -
because I'd definitely miss last orders!
John will be very sadly missed
AND FINALLY .....
On a happier note, many thanks to Robert Rowland who this month has contributed
his fiftieth article for the magazine. I know you have all enjoyed reading about his
memories of the 1960s in Mablethorpe and learning about the many machines he has
in his collection. It's no exaggeration to say that Robert's contributions over the years
have been a major factor in keeping the magazine going, so I hope he will be an
inspiration to you all - please write something for the magazine!
Well, that's just about it for now.
Until next time, all the best
Jerry
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