Mechanical Memories Magazine

who were both having a clear-out. There were some real treasures in that auction, and I
can still remember my excitement when the catalogue arrived in the post, and included
in the list of lots was a Stevenson and Lovett Conveyor. I resolved that I would be
bringing that machine home.
Such was my excitement at the prospect of finally owning this classic game, that it
gave me nightmares! The night before the auction, I dreamt that Sharron and I arrived at
the Elephant House bright and early on the morning of sale, but had left the catalogue at
home. I was told that without a catalogue I would not be admitted. I pleaded to be
allowed in but to no avail, so we just had to stand at the entrance. When the Conveyor
came up, the bidding reached £6 (remember, this was just a dream) and I shouted, "I'll
pay more than that! Please let me bid", but everyone inside shouted out "Go away, you
haven't got a catalogue!" At this point I awoke in a cold sweat, shaking but thankful it
had only been a dream.
Anyway, I did buy the Conveyor but for considerably more than £6! With the
exception of the top flash, which was missing and had been blanked with a lump of
beach wood, the machine was complete. Unfortunately, at some time in the past
someone (for reasons known only to his or herself) had thrown half a tin of varnish all
over the backflash. No, now that I recall what a mess it was, it must have been a full tin!
Anyway, having acquired the machine, it just sat in my office at JC Engineering and got
forgotten for a couple of years.
It was in 1999, having taken over Remember When? on Hastings pier, that I
decided to restore the backflash and get the machine up and running so that I could
operate it on the pier. For those of you who have never studied the Conveyor closely, the
backflash is silk screened in about six or seven colours onto white painted steel. I
rubbed-down all the excess varnish and rust spots; purchased a dozen match pots of
emulsion from B&Q; mixed some of the paint to get the right colours and set about
repainting the backflash. This was extremely time consuming, but not particularly
difficult - just tedious. I used a black marker pen for the straight lining, and cut steel
templates for the curves and arches under the bridges, again drawn with a marker
pen. However, I got stuck with the building in the centre. This is red with yellow
windows, and proved extremely difficult to paint. It was at this point that the project was
sort of, abandoned!
A few years passed and I was forced to leave my nice factory unit for much smaller
premises, which eventually led to the demise of JC Engineering. When history recalls
the mighty that fell, I will be among them! But that's another story. Anyway, it was at
this point that the conveyor was consigned to the lock-up and forgotten. Unfortunately,
a year or so ago I discovered it again, and to my horror the backflash had rusted even
more badly than when I bought it. So much for all that hard work and all those B&Q
match pots!
However, I am determined to have the Conveyor ready to operate at Brighton next
year, and there could be light at the end of the tunnel. A few years ago, I sold a machine
(which I think was an Oily Whales Kiss-0-Meter) to someone who had reproduced the
backflash artwork onto paper or card. I can't remember his name but if he's a subscriber
to this magazine - please, please get in touch. Jeremy and I desperately need your help!
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