The BIG ONE…..Coronation Street
Today was another “biggie” with a visit to TV s Coronation set that is being closed down at Xmas and has moved to another site and this is the last chance people will get to see the amazing set of Corrie that has been a family favourite for well over 50 yrs and seen all around the world,Ken Barlow played by William Roache since day one is the longest “soapie” star ever .It is definately worth a visit and our tour guide was brilliant so take a walk down the cobbled street you will NOT be disappointed ! Annie was ecstatic !! How can we ever forget Elsie Tanner.Ena Sharples,Rita,Len,Deidre (now deceased in real life at 60!) and many many more…After the walkabout we ventured into the Science of Manchester Museum and had a quick look on how the milling industry of yesteryear
We weree not disappointed Trains .Aeroplanes(full sized),Cotton weaving machines fascinated us for ages then time to drop my son of at Piccadily station and for us to head to our base in Blackpool a very interesting day had by us all
Marks Museum and its FREE !!
Today we met a new member of the family (Mark Yates) who has a shop on corner of Waterloo Rd and Blackpool Promenade ..BUT..it is a lot more than just a shop selling confectionary and souvenirs ! Downstairs,back shop is devoted to arcade machines from yesteryear and avery happy misspent youth I spent as a lad growing up in this wonderful town.One macine type caught my eye because it was money spinner for us lads in those days (before spending money was invented) when resilient kids found ways of making money !! On the Penny roll aball machine we could lift the wooden coin collecting box by 1/8 th of an inch enabling me (and others) to slide a hacksaw blade into it and slide pennies out (Hope there,s no Policeman from those days reading this ! Back to the Museum also in this section are original Space Invader sit down tables.dancing Marionettes and a variety of other amusement contraptions (these machines can still be used)
UPSTAIRS is a magnificent array of toy cars/soldiers/trams/camera,s working train sets (and trams) a great small reconstruction of Davros (go on look it up) when blown up looks so life like….Potteries from yesterday..a Waterloo Battle Field ( currently being modernised) Huge map of bygone Blackpool with an underground tram service I never knew existed>Phot,s I have taken do not do this Museum justice so for a better look http://www.markyatescollector.co.uk/ is a great reference to Marks work collected by his family for decades,If in Blackpool give him a call,say hello to chief of staff Nigel tell them Geoff mentioned it ( I promise you wont get thrown out) Thanks for the personal tour Mark…. PC ALERT !!!! Golliwogs on show !! Even a model of South Shore Open Air Baths !!Mark is the good lookin bloke on the left !!
Watch me play Didgeridoo
Geoffs Life After Work ! 