About Me

My photo
No Fixed Abode, Home Counties, United Kingdom
I’m a 60-year-old Aspergic gardening CAD-Monkey. Sardonic, cynical and with the political leanings of a social reformer, I’m also a toy and model figure collector, particularly interested in the history of plastics and plastic toys. Other interests are history, current affairs, modern art, and architecture, gardening and natural history. I love plain chocolate, fireworks and trees, but I don’t hug them, I do hug kittens. I hate ignorance, when it can be avoided, so I hate the 'educational' establishment and pity the millions they’ve failed with teaching-to-test and rote 'learning' and I hate the short-sighted stupidity of the entire ruling/industrial elite, with their planet destroying fascism and added “buy-one-get-one-free”. Likewise, I also have no time for fools and little time for the false crap we're all supposed to pretend we haven't noticed, or the games we're supposed to play. I will 'bite the hand that feeds', to remind it why it feeds.

Monday, December 23, 2019

News, Views Etc . . . Christmas & New Year Events

This is as rushed as the last, due to the fact that I've just realised (19.57hrs Sunday) that tomorrow may be my last visit to the library until after Christmas, so I'd better (full of beer) get the dates up for posting tomorrow (when I'll also check the spelling and typo's - sober!)

***************************************

Toy Fairs

Weeks 51 / 52

Friday 27th December 2019

Birmingham - Barry Potter / BP Fairs - 'NEC'
Hall 18, National Exhibition Centre, Birminham, B40 1NT
Tel. - 01604 846 688
Mob. - 07966 527 177
Fax. - 01604 771 070
Hours unknown (probably 10:30-15:00hrs)
Admission £7.50, early-bird (from 08:00hrs) £12, OAP's £7, Children £2
Free parking

Llandudno - Llandudno Toy & Train Fair
Venue Cymru, Llandudno, North Wales (it's not a swimmer Mr. President), LL30 1BB
Internet presence unknown
Tel. - 01492 517 004
10:30-15:30hrs
Admission £2.50p

Worthing  - SRP Toyfairs
Charmandean Centre, Forest Road, Worthing, West Sussex, BN14 9HS
Tel. - 07739 998 012 (Paula or Gerry)
10:00 - 14:00hrs
Admission charge unknown

**************************

Saturday 28th December 2019

Bexhill-on-Sea - SRP Toy Fairs
St. Barnabas Parish Church, Cantelupe Road, Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, TN40 1JG
Mob. - 07739 998 012 (Paula or Gerry)
10:00 - 14:00hrs
Admission charge unknown

Carmarthen - Chris Dyer Fairs
Carmathen Leisure Centre, Llansteffan Road, Johntown, Carmarthen, Wales (it's a country Mr. President), SA31 3NQ
Tel. - 01643 702 757
Mob. - 07966 694 579
10:30 - 15:00hrs
Admission £2

Haydock Park - Barry Stockton Fairs
The Exhibition Centre, Haydock Park Racecourse, WA12 0HQ
Web. - http://barrystocktonfairs.co.uk/
Tel. - 01513 343 362
10:30 - 14:30hrs
Admission - Adult £2, Children £0.50p

Thornbury - Bulldog Fairs
Thornbury Leisure Centre, Alveston Hill, BS35 3JB
Tel. - 01373 452 857
Mob. - 07917 125 641
10:30 - 14:30hrs
Adults £2.50p, under 16's free if accompanied, early-bird (from 08:30hrs) £5
Free parking, light refreshments

**************************

Sunday 29th December 2019

Rayleigh - SRP Toyfairs
Sweyne Park School, Rayleigh, Essex, SS6 9BZ
Tel. - 07739 998 012 (Paula or Gerry)
10:00 - 14:00hrs
Admission charge unknown

Reading - Tony Oaks Toy Fairs
Rivermead Leisure Centre, Richfield Avenue, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 8QE
Internet presence unknown
Tel. - 01270 652 773
Mob. - 07825 631 323
10:30 - 15:00hrs
Admission £4.00, accompanied children under 16 free, 'early bird' (from08:30hrs) £10.00, 'lazy bird' (from 09:30hrs) £7.00
Parking, refreshments, full facilities
Layouts and displays
Dateline show - dealers should carry stock up to 1995 only
{If you've never been you should give it a go, it's one of the better shows in the year's calendar}

Wirral - Barry Stockton Fairs - Merseyside Hobbies & Model Railway Show
Hulme Hall, Port Sunlight, Wirral, CH62 5DH
Web. - http://barrystocktonfairs.co.uk/
Tel. - 01513 343 362
10:30 - 15:30
Admission - Adult £4.50p, Children £1

***************************************

2020 Week 1

Monday 30th December 2019

Ditton - SRP Toyfairs
Ditton Community Centre, Kiln Barn Road, Ditton, Kent, ME20 6AH
Tel. - 07739 998 012 (Paula or Gerry)
10:00 - 14:00hrs
Admission charge unknown

Doncaster - Barry Potter / BP Fairs - 'Doncaster Racecourse'
Doncaster Exhibition Centre, Leger Way, Doncaster, DN2 6BB
Web. - www.bpfairs.com
Tel. - 01604 846 688
Mob. - 07966 527 177
Fax. - 01604 771 070
10:30-15:00hrs
Admission - Adults £4, Seniors £3.50p, Children £1, 'Early Bird' (from 8 a.m.) £10
Plenty of free parking

**************************

Tuesday  31st December 2019 (New Year's Eve)

Bolton - Barry Potter / BP Fairs - 'Macron'
The Premier Suite, Macron Stadium, Bolton, Lancashire, BL6 6SF
Tel. - 01604 846 688
Mob. - 07966 527 177
Fax. - 01604 771 070
10:30-15:00hrs
Admission £4.00, early-bird £8, (from 08:00hrs), seniors £3.50, children £1
Free parking

**************************

Wednesday 1st January 2020 (New Year's Day)

Bridgnorth - Toy & Train Collectors Fairs (Tony Oakes)
Bridgnorth Leisure Centre, High Town, Bridgnorth, Shropshire, WV16 4ER
Internet presence unknown
Tel. - 01270 652 773
Mob. - 07825 631 323
10:30 - 15:00hrs
Admission £2.00, accompanied children under-16 free.

Newark - J&J Fairs (J&J Webb) - 'East Midlands'
George Stephenson Exhibition Hall, Newark & North Nottinghamshire County Showground, Winthorpe, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 2NY
Tel. - 01522 880 383 (Lorraine)
10:00 - 14:30hrs
Admission - Adult £4.50p, seniors £4.00, 1st child £3.50p, 2nd+/under-5's free

**************************

Saturday 4th January 2020

Cardiff - Chris Dyer Fairs
Penarth Leisure Centre, Andrew Road, Cogan, Cardiff, Wales (it's not a marine mammal Mr. President), CF64 2NS.
Web. - www.chrisdyerfairs.co.uk
Tel. - 01643 702 757
Mob. - 07966 694 579
Hours unknown (probably 10:30 - 15:00)
Admission [probably] £2

**************************

Sunday 5th January 2020

Chester-le-Street - Jim Corr Fairs
Lord Lawson Academy, Birtly Lane, Birtly, DH3 2LF
eMail - jim_corr73@hotmail.co.uk
Mob. - 07504 035 955
10:00 - 15:00hrs
Admission £3, children/senior citizens £2, 'Early Bird' £5

Croydon Airport - Dave Sutton - Military, Aviation and Model Collectors Fair
Hallmark Hotel, Purley Way, Croydon, Surrey, CR9 4LT (venue - near IKEA)
27A The Grove, Biggin Hill, Kent, TN16 3TA (organiser)
Mob. - 07973 885 754 (for traders - Aviation Antiques)
10:00hrs - Finish
Admission price unknown - children under 10 free
Control tower visits, aviation memorabilia & militaria, books, toys & models

Eastbourne - Robert Horscraft - Eastbourne Toy & Model Collectors Fair
East Dean Village Hall, East Dean, East Sussex, BN20 0DR
Internet presence unknown
Tel. I - 01323 899 879
Tel. II - 01424 846 676
Hours unknown
Admission £1.50, under-12's free
Free Parking, refreshments

Midhust - SRP Fairs
The Grange, Bepton Road, Midhurst, West Sussex, GU29 9HD
Tel. - 07739 998 012 (Paula or Gerry)
[Probably] 10:00 - 14:00hrs
Admission charge unknown

Potters Bar - Toy & Train Fairs (Peter Levinson)
Elm Court Centre, Mutton Lane, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, EN6 3BP
Internet presence unknown
Tel. - 01282 051 518 (Peter or Diane)
10:30 - 14:30hrs
Admission charge unknown

Spalding - J&J Fairs (J&J Webb)
Springfields Events & Conference Centre, Camelgate, Spalding, Lincolnshire, PE12 6ET
Tel. - 01522 880 383
10:00 - 14:30hrs
Admission - Adult £2.50p, seniors £2, 1st child £1.50p

Swindon - Retro Ronnie
Swindon Town Football Club, County Ground, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN1 2ED
Mob. I - 07708 385 061
Mob. II - 07900 266 427
Hours unknown
Admission charge unknown

Walsall - Transtar Promotions (Geoff & Linda Price)
Oak Park Active Living Centre, Coppice Road, Walsall Wood, Walsall, West Midlands, WS9 9BH
Tel.- 01922 643 385 (Geoff or Linda)
10:30 - 15:00hrs
Admission £1.80p, seniors £1.50p, child £1.00
Refreshments

**************************

Friday 10th January 2020

Alfreton - Toy and Train Fairs (Malcolm Townsend) - Evening Fair
The Leisure Centre, Church Street, Alfreton, DE55 7BD
Mob. - 07951 072 790
19:00 - 21:00hrs (check hours - might be running as a weekend show?)
Admission charge unknown

***************************************

Auctions

A bit quieter on the Auction front;

Friday 3rd January 2020

Sheffield - Shefield Auction Gallery
Windsor Road, Heeley, Sheffield, S8 8UB
Tel. - 0114 281 6161
Viewing - Thursday 2nd 09:00 - 16:45, from 08:30 on sale day
14:00 - Finish
Toy & model railway sale

***************************************

Other Events

Newark - Jeep Promotions - Militaria Fair
Lady Eastwood Hall, Newark & North Nottinghamshire County Showground, Winthorpe, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 2NY
Tel. - 07889 516 401
09:00-15:00hrs
Admission £5.00, under-14's free
No dogs (guides excepted), free parking, refreshments+

***************************************

Overseas Events

Saturday January 4th 2020

Eanglewood (USA) - Regal Railways
Elks Lodge, 401 N Indiana Ave, Englewood, FL 34423, Florida, USA (venue)
501 East Bay Drive, Apt. 1503, Largo, FL 33770, Florida, USA (promoter)
Tel. - ++17 272 441 341
09:00-14:00hrs
Admission, $5.00 children under 12 free, 'early-bird' $7.00 (reserve between 08:00-09:00hrs)
Vendors and exhibition model train layout, antiques and crafts
Lunch Available

***************************************

If you are an event promoter/show curator/auctioneer and you want your toy, model, collectable, military, historical or popular-/youth-culture type sale/exhibition/event listed here -  FOR FREE  - or linked to; please eMail me -

maverickatlarge[at]hotmail[dot]com

- stating the date/s of the event, address of event, contact details, opening/viewing times, admission pricing and any other relevant facts/details or features - parking, travel notes, disability access, availability of refreshments, event subject matter &etc.

And please mention any flyer-art or poster-/leaflet-scans but send by separate eMail, in case they go to the 'junk' folder, from where they can be recovered and marked safe, but only if I know they're there!

***************************************

Stamps

I may have sent some Christmas cards out with no stamps on? I thought I'd stamped them all, but the stamp booklet seemed to have more left than it should have done after I'd posted them? If you get a card without a stamp - I'm really sorry.

***************************************

Cards

Meanwhile Chris has recived a card with nutcracker soldiers on, I thought we might have a nutcracker-free Xmas this year but no chance!

***************************************

H is for How They Come In
&
Received with Thanks

A small package from Peter Evans was on the doorstep on Friday when I got back from the Library, seven figures including two snowmen (one - centre - new to collection/Blog) and a Hong Kong clown who's so white he could be considered a snowman for the season!

Which encouraged me to rumage about in Picasa for the 'After' shot to last year's tatty chalkware snowman I said I'd repaint . . . he came-up alright in the end!

In the course of which I found this, which was a late purchase last year in the January Sales from Tiger (now Flying Tiger) Stores it's a cheapo, resin knock-off of the whatsit-village stuff.

***************************************

Assistants

I though Chris had sent me a shot of his assistant providing the same level of help mine does, but he'd sent me something else, but by then I'd got permission to post a couple of other 'staffers' on the job, so we'll fill-up with my pesky-pesker!

This is Theo van der Weerden's assistant Maya, about to helpfully sort a figure to the floor with all the archival skill's of the Blog's own Katie-kat.

Maya's better side! Very pretty; one of Katie's kittens had a split-face like this, we called him . . . err . . . 'Splitface' . . .  yeah, well he had a proper name (Spitfire), but it was only temporary as he would have been named in his new home!

Brian Berke's Timothy Thomas seems to have been a more hands-off assistant and can be seen in the background here, observing Brian's home-made Roman Galley (with Marx Romans on deck).

Timothy's best side! In Brain's own words . . . " His name came from . . . the Nicholas Thomas books and Toby Twirl books were big sellers in the late40's early 50's . . . a series of kids books I had as a youngster in the early 50's . . .  Nicholas Thomas was the black cat and his human friend was Timothy. I combined the two names . . . As far as I have ever known they had no toys marketed with their branding.

Both titles were dropped when a new series of books were introduced by the same publisher in the same format. Noddy. No end of merchandising came with him."

Meanwhile Girly-girl (Katie-Kat's everyday name) was 'helping' me shoot those Lledo firefighters the other day! Thanks Theo and Brian . . . everybody's cat is the best cat in the world!

***************************************

This week I are bin mostly . . .

Sorting Wild West!

Two boxes . . .

. . . became three . . .

. . . then four, but the shopping-bags (temporary sorting equipment!) were emptied, before I got bored (Asperger's = low attention span!) and dug out Brian's CMV khaki infantry! A bed-full of cowboys & Indians, and what do I do, get out the combat types . . . what am I like?!

Finally a fifth box was sorted as I tried to make sense of those intermediate cracker/capsule figures in 35-odd millimetres, other sub-scales, old premiums and such odds.

2020 might be the year of the Wild West here, but then again, it might not; it's all very kinda' fluid at command central these days!

***************************************

E is for Eye Candy

Hong Kong & minor makes rabbits . . . and hares!

***************************************

No comments: