Mechanical Memories Magazine

Seaside Memories Exhibition
By Darren Hesketh
Wrote the book, produced the DVD, set up the museum, now comes the long
awaited tour! For any reader interested in my latest venture - read on ....... .
The 'Seaside Memories ' touring exhibition, now in development, is set to feature
various displays and artefacts related to seaside entertainment from Victorian times up
until the 1960s. The exhibition is aimed primarily at museums in the Northwest of
England, and I expect (hope) it will be available for hire by around Easter 2008. The
signs are looking good, as interest has already been shown by one large museum, even
before any promotion of the display.
Exhibits currently being specially hand-built include an authentic Victorian style
Punch and Judy booth (approx. 8ft in height!); traditional hand-carved Punch and Judy
puppets; Crazy Distorting mirrors ; a hand painted 'Aunt Sally' Photoboard (have your
picture taken as the Laughing Sailor or the Gypsy Fortune Teller); life size hand painted
backdrop of a typical Victorian sideshow entertainment. Also on display will be much
related items and memorabilia, including vintage pennyslot machines (approx. 10 in
total); saucy seaside postcard display; a montage of vintage postcards (Blackpool and
Southport - our closest resorts) plus many more fun and fascinating displays. At the
moment, I am currently ' restoring' two original 1950s deck chairs (they're in a right
state!), so all we need now is a poseable figure with knotted handkerchief etc. to sit in
one of them!
The collection of slot machines required have not yet been secured, and we are still
in need of a Laughing Sailor/Policeman/Clown; Gypsy fortune teller (floor standing of
any age) and a Mutoscope with suitable 'family' reel. Perhaps even a moderately priced
(if there are any!) working model. Any reader with any of these items for sale, please
give me a call on 01942 732308 or email: museumofamusements@blueyonder.co.uk.
We are also seeking any 'affordable' fairground art.
I don't expect the exhibition to extend further afield than the Northwest of
England, mainly due to the maintenance required on the machines - as any operator
will understand, the machines just don't run themselves. I shall post dates and venues in
due course.
Finally, don' t forget if you're in the Northwest region, why not pay us a visit at the
Candle Workshops. We're open weekends and school holidays and well worth a visit
(so I've been told)! See www.museumofamusements.co.uk. We even have a new
addition - Zoltan the fortune teller, and apparently he's very good!
See you soon. Darren
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