MuseumWeek 2025

This week is MuseumWeek.

Since 2014 MuseumWeek has grown to include over 60,000 participants from 100+ countries. It has become the first virtual, worldwide cultural event across social media.

MuseumWeek is an annual offline and online event based on the mechanism 7 days, 7 topics, 7 hashtags.

Find out more on the MuseumWeek website.

The Crazy Golf Museum

As the Curator of the Crazy Golf Museum it's always nice to be able to support museum initiatives such as MuseumWeek.

The Crazy Golf Museum is the world's first virtual crazy golf museum - a worldwide archive of miniature golf memories, histories and ephemera.

Minigolf did you knows:

• The world's first miniature golf course was set-up at St Andrews, Scotland in 1867.
• James Barber opened the first minigolf course in the USA in 1916. The 'Lilliputian' miniature golf course was called 'Thistle Dhu' and located in Pinehurst, North Carolina.
• A Miniature Golf contest was part of the Olympic Games at the 1904 St Louis Games in the USA.
• Crazy Golf is 99 years old in 2025. The first course using the name 'Crazy Golf' opened on South Parade in Skegness, Lincolnshire, England in 1926.
• 1926 also saw the first artificial miniature golf course open in the USA. Garnet Carter opened the 'Tom Thumb' miniature golf course near Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
• The first National Tom Thumb Golf Championship took place on the 23rd October 1930.
• The first Putt-Putt brand miniature golf course was set-up by Don Clayton in Fayetteville, North Carolina, USA in 1954.
• The Crazy Golf Museum is 15 years old in 2025. The virtual online museum is a treasure trove and archive for all things related to minigolf, crazy golf, adventure golf, miniature golf, Putt Putt, and putting.
• There are approximately 1,370 miniature golf courses in the British Isles.
• Our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour is 19 years old in 2025! In that time we've visited over 1,000 courses.
• There are several Guinness World Records for achievements in Minigolf, Miniature Golf, Crazy Golf, Adventure Golf, and Putt-Putt. The 2024 edition of the Guinness World Records book featured a whole page about minigolf and you can find details of the records on the Guinness World Records website.
• There are two 'miniature golf days' each year. 'National Miniature Golf Day' is always on the second Saturday in May. In 2025 the first was on Saturday 10th May. The other minigolf day, 'Miniature Golf Day', is always on the 21st September. In 2025 that will fall on a Sunday.

Visit the Crazy Golf Museum website and check out these Crazy Golf Museum-related blog posts for more info.

National Postcard Week

This week has been National Postcard Week 2025.

We're massive fans of postcards (sending, receiving and collecting) and have a BIG collection of minigolf postcards from the UK and around the world.

The postcard below is something of a 'holy grail' in my collection.

The Eternit Miniature Golf course at Pontin's Prestatyn Sands Holiday Village. This Photo Precision Limited postcard was sent on the 8th July 1977

Not only is the card a full view of a Crazy Golf course, but it also has a message on the back about playing Crazy Golf! In the thousands of minigolf postcards I've got this is one of very few that mentions playing the game and the only one specifically saying "Crazy Golf"!

Pontin's Prestatyn Holiday Village, Central Beach, North Wales. Postally Used on the 8th July 1977 Photo Precision Limited

When did you last send or receive a postcard?

National Postcard Week 2025

This week is National Postcard Week 2025.

National Postcard Week 2025 runs from Sunday 18th to Saturday 24th May.

Putting Green, Denton Gardens, Worthing. Photogravure by S. & E. Ltd., Hastings. Postally unused. Undated

We're massive fans of postcards (sending, receiving and collecting) and have a BIG collection of minigolf postcards from the UK and around the world.

Miniature Golf Links, Brighton. Postally used 29 August 1927. Publisher unknown

Westende Bains, Belgium - Le Tom Thumb Golf - Date Unknown

Crazy Golf, Millport, Isle of Cumbrae. A Valentine's "Silveresque" 3059V Style Postcard, published by Valentine & Sons Ltd. Dundee and London. Postally used at 4.15pm on the 4th June 1964 and mailed from Millport itself

The Railway Convalescent Home. Herne Bay. Rear View Showing the Putting Green. B1732. Photochrom Co. Ltd.

Butlinland Skegness – Putting Green and Monorail by John Hinde Studios. Sent on 4 Aug 1980

BURGH HALL COUNTRY CLUB postcard. Posted 24 May 1977. The card was posted to Newcastle-Upon-Tyne from Lowestoft, Suffolk

PONTIN'S HOLIDAY VILLAGE, HEMSBY, NORFOLK R5713 by Photo Precision Limited, St Ives. Unposted

South Shore and Promenade, Blackpool. PT18828. Unposted

Post Card. Grand Haven State Park, Grand Haven, Michigan. Water Wonderland Card Company. Postally unused, undated

Bridlington Princes Parade. The Spa Boating Lake. Photochrom Co. Ltd.

Putting Green, Butlin's Luxury Holiday Camp, Pwllheli. Published by Butlin's Photographic Services Ltd. Postally used on 4th June 1951

Alum Chine, Bournemouth. Printed by Deardon & Wade Bournemouth

Pontin's Prestatyn Holiday Village. Photo Precision Limited R5605. Postally used 8 July 1977

When did you last send or receive a postcard?

Related blog posts:

• Postcard
• Postcards

Museum Week 2023

This week is Museum Week.

Since 2014 MuseumWeek has grown to include over 60,000 participants from 100+ countries. It has become the first virtual, worldwide cultural event across social media.

MuseumWeek is an annual offline and online event based on the mechanism 7 days, 7 topics, 7 hashtags.

Find out more on the Museum Week website.

The Crazy Golf Museum

As the Curator of the Crazy Golf Museum it's always nice to be able to support museum initiatives such as MuseumWeek.

The Crazy Golf Museum is the world's first virtual crazy golf museum - a worldwide archive of miniature golf memories, histories and ephemera.

The Crazy Golf Museum

Did you know:

• The world's first Miniature Golf course was created at St Andrews, Scotland in 1867. The Himalayas is still there now and is a real pleasure to play.
• The first minigolf course in the USA opened in 1916. James Barber opened the 'Thistle Dhu' layout in Pinehurst, NC.
• A Miniature Golf contest was part of the Olympic Games at the 1904 St Louis Games.
• The very first Crazy Golf course in the UK opened on South Parade in Skegness, Lincolnshire, England.
• The first artificial miniature golf course open in the USA in 1926 when Garnet Carter created the 'Tom Thumb' miniature golf course near Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, TN.
• The first National Tom Thumb Golf Championship took place on the 23rd October 1930. 
• The first Putt-Putt Golf course was set-up by Don Clayton in Fayetteville, North Carolina, USA back in 1954.
• National Miniature Golf Day always falls on the second Saturday in May.
• Miniature Golf Day is always on the 21st of September.

Visit the Crazy Golf Museum website and check out these Crazy Golf Museum-related blog posts for more info.

Museum Week 2022

This week is Museum Week.

Since 2014 MuseumWeek has grown to include over 60,000 participants from 100+ countries. It has become the first virtual, worldwide cultural event on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Weibo, WeChat and VKontakte.

MuseumWeek is an annual offline and online event based on the mechanism 7 days, 7 topics, 7 hashtags.

The global theme for 2022 is about innovation & culture and MuseumWeek will take this opportunity to explore 6 other topics in the whole cultural ecosystem, online and offline:

• 13 June: #innovationMW
• 14 June: #creatorsMW
• 15 June: #freedomMW
• 16 June: #sexualityMW
• 17 June: #environmentMW 
• 18 June: #lifeLessonsMW 
• 19 June: #danceMW

Find out more on the Museum Week website.

The Crazy Golf Museum

As the Curator of the Crazy Golf Museum it's always nice to be able to support museum initiatives such as MuseumWeek.

The Crazy Golf Museum is the world's first virtual crazy golf museum - a worldwide archive of miniature golf memories, histories and ephemera.

The Crazy Golf Museum

Did you know:

• The world's first Miniature Golf course was created at St Andrews, Scotland in 1867. The Himalayas is still there now and is a real pleasure to play.
• The first minigolf course in the USA opened in 1916. James Barber opened the 'Thistle Dhu' layout in Pinehurst, NC.
• A Miniature Golf contest was part of the Olympic Games at the 1904 St Louis Games.
• The very first Crazy Golf course in the UK opened on South Parade in Skegness, Lincolnshire, England.
• The first artificial miniature golf course open in the USA in 1926 when Garnet Carter created the 'Tom Thumb' miniature golf course near Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, TN.
• The first National Tom Thumb Golf Championship took place on the 23rd October 1930. 
• The first Putt-Putt Golf course was set-up by Don Clayton in Fayetteville, North Carolina, USA back in 1954.
• National Miniature Golf Day always falls on the second Saturday in May.
• Miniature Golf Day is always on the 21st of September.

Visit the Crazy Golf Museum website and check out these Crazy Golf Museum-related blog posts for more info.

National Postcard Week

Happy National Postcard Week.

This week is National Postcard Week in the USA.

Post Card - Jekyll Island, Gergia. Golf House and miniature golf course. Marsh Post Card Service. Postally unused, undated

We're huge fans of sending and receiving postcards and have built up a big collection of minigolf, crazy golf, putting and adventure golf postcards over the years.

Post Card - South of the Border. South Carolina at the N.C. - S.C. Border. ACE-HI ADVERTISING, INC. Postally unused, undated

Post Card. Grand Haven State Park, Grand Haven, Michigan. Water Wonderland Card Company. Postally unused, undated

• When did you last send a postcard?

• When did you last receive a postcard?

• Do you have a favourite postcard?

Check out Reflections of a Bygone Age for more information on postcard collecting.

The 2022 Picture Postcard Annual is available now and includes a feature that I wrote about Butlin's Monorails.

Butlinland Skegness – Putting Green and Monorail by John Hinde Studios. Sent on 4 Aug 1980

Here's a selection of postcards from our collection.

Bridlington Princes Parade. The Spa Boating Lake. Photochrom Co. Ltd.

Crazy Golf, North Shore, Blackpool. 50. Bamforth Post Card. Unposted. Undated

A Weetabix Gang Crazy Mini Golf Weeta-Card postcard from 1983

Pat Regan's Putting Green in Broadstairs - postcard. Undated

Miniature Golf Links, Brighton. Postally used 29 August 1927

One of two postcard designs you can find at Splash Point Mini Golf in Worthing

Worthing, Denton Gardens, Putting Green. The Photochrom Co Ltd. Posted to Birchington, Kent on 30 July 1928

Butlinland Minehead. Crazy Golf and Chair Lift. John Hinde Studios. 24 May 1976

Putting Green, Great Yarmouth. Postcard postally used on the 11th November 1927. Publisher unknown

Coeliac UK Awareness Week 2022

Dates for your diary: Coeliac UK Awareness Week 2022 - 9th-15th May.

This year Coeliac Awareness Week runs from the 9th to the 15th May.

Coeliac UK's mission is to raise awareness of this serious autoimmune disease that affects 1 in 100 people.

Coeliac Disease ('Celiac' in the USA and Canada) is a lifelong autoimmune condition, where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. In Coeliac Disease the immune system mistakes substances found inside gluten as a threat to the body and attacks them. This can trigger a number of painful, horrible, stressful and uncomfortable symptoms.

Living a gluten free life

Having suffered from a range of symptoms for around ten years I finally received a positive diagnosis of Coeliac Disease following some 'interesting' and in-depth tests and procedures in 2008. It came as a relief to finally have a name for the mysterious cause of my illnesses and ailments, but at the time I was only given a brief summary and told that I'd have to "cut down on bread and beer". It was only later when I met with a Gastroenterologist and a dietitian that I found out that the only treatment for people with Coeliac Disease is a strict, life-long gluten free diet.

While having a life-long condition such as Coeliac Disease can be a pain - and horrible if I 'get glutened' - having the disease has had some positives. I've met great people since my diagnosis and have made some brilliant friends who I've met through Coeliac groups. I've also blogged a lot about living with the condition and the great 'free from' food & drink I've found since 2008.

Key Facts about Coeliac Disease

• Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition, not an allergy.
• If a close relative (e.g. parent) is diagnosed, your chance of having it is 1 in 10.
• Many people can now be diagnosed with two blood tests.
• Gluten must remain in the diet until diagnosis.

Symptoms and diagnosis

Anyone with symptoms should go to isitcoeliacdisease.org.uk to see if they should be tested.

Symptoms may include:

• Severe or occasional diarrhoea, excessive wind and/or constipation.
• Persistent or unexplained nausea and vomiting.
• Recurrent stomach pain, cramping or bloating.
• Any combination of iron, vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency.
• Anaemia.
• Tiredness.
• Sudden or unexpected weight loss (but not in all cases).
• Mouth ulcers.
• Skin rash (dermatitis herpetiformis).
• Tooth enamel problems.
• Liver abnormalities.
• Unexplained subfertility.
• Repeated miscarriages.
• Neurological (nerve) problems such as Ataxia (loss of coordination, poor balance and peripheral neuropathy (numbness and tingling in the hands and feet).

About Coeliac UK

Coeliac UK is the national charity for everyone who needs to live gluten free. It's work began in 1968 and it is a totally independent organisation with no government funding.

Coeliac UK strives for better diagnosis, care and treatment, plus safer gluten free food in more places.

Visit the Coeliac UK website for more information.

This week is MuseumWeek

Happy MuseumWeek 2021.

MuseumWeek was created in 2014 and is the worldwide festival for cultural institutions on social media. It has grown to include over 60,000 participants from 100+ countries.

Each day of MuseumWeek has a themed hashtag, kicking off with #OnceUponAtimeMW

MuseumWeek 2021's themed days are:

• Monday, June 7: #OnceUponAtimeMW
• Tuesday, June 8: #BehindTheScenesMW
• Wednesday, June 9: #ChildrensEyesMW
• Thursday, June 10: #EurekaMW
• Friday, June 11: #CaptionThisMW
• Saturday, June 12: #ArtIsEverywhereMW
• Sunday, June 13: #WordsForTheFutureMW

Check out the MuseumWeek website for more information.

As the Curator of the Crazy Golf Museum I'm always keen to spread the word about the game of minigolf.

Once upon a time the pastime and sport didn't exist. That changed in 1867 when the world's first miniature golf course was created at St Andrews in Scotland.

Emily playing the world's first miniature golf course

The Himalayas Putting course at St Andrews was created in 1867 specifically for female players to use. Emily and I visited and played the layout on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour in 2012. It's a wonderful course in a marvellous setting, and a must-play course for fans of minigolf.

Some of the other key dates in world minigolf are:

• 1916 - The first minigolf course in the USA. James Barber opened the 'Thistle Dhu' layout in Pinehurst, NC.
• 1926 - The very first Crazy Golf course in the UK opened on South Parade in Skegness, Lincolnshire, England.
• 1926 - The first artificial miniature golf course in the USA. Garnet Carter created the 'Tom Thumb' miniature golf course near Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, TN.
• National Miniature Golf Day always falls on the second Saturday in May.
• Miniature Golf Day is always on the 21st of September.

The Crazy Golf Museum

The Crazy Golf Museum is celebrating it's eleventh year in 2021. The worldwide archive of miniature golf memories, histories and ephemera opened its online doors to the world on the 15th July 2010.

Visit the Crazy Golf Museum website, Facebook Page & Group, Twitter and Instagram to see more.

It's National Gardening Week

Happy National Gardening Week.

To mark the occasion here's a look at a garden minigolf course in East Finchley, London.

The innovative back garden minigolf course was created by the team at UrbanCrazy

Happy National Gardening Week

This week is National Gardening Week.

A look at garden centre minigolf courses.

A look at some of the garden centre minigolf courses we've played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

When lockdown is lifted and minigolf courses reopen there are some really good layouts to check out at garden centres.

Happy Gluten Free Baking Week

The week before Christmas is Gluten Free Baking Week.

I found out via the National Day Calendar that the week before Christmas is Gluten Free Baking Week!

Since I attended the Cheshire Coeliac Meeting in October I've got into baking gluten free snacks, savouries and cakes.

Gluten free sausage rolls

What shall I bake for Gluten Free Baking Week?

Museum Week 2018

This week is Museum Week.

Running from the 23rd to 29th April, Museum Week is back for a fifth edition and celebrates the vital role culture, art, science and education plays in the development of societies, forging links which know no borders between women and men. This is why Museum Week 2018 is dedicated to shared values of living together, citizenship and tolerance.

The Crazy Golf Museum - the worldwide archive of miniature golf memories, histories and ephemera

Over the week there are seven different hashtags focusing on a different areas, with the overall theme of #womenMW.

Although the role of women in society is obviously just as important as that of men, it is far from being properly recognised. On Monday 23rd April Museum Week will focus on famous women in the fields of history, art, culture and science, as well as all those anonymous women whose lives structure our societies. Not women chosen for their beauty, but artists, intellectuals, workers, and so on.

The hashtags are:
#womenMW
#cityMW
#heritageMW
#professionalMW
#kidsMW
#natureMW
#differenceMW
#MuseumWeek

Find out more on the Museum Week website.

As a BIG fan of Miniature Golf and a Curator of the Crazy Golf Museum I wouldn't be doing what I am if it wasn't for women creating the game of minigolf.

Emily playing the world's first Miniature Golf course back in 2012

The world's first minigolf course was the Himalayas Putting course at St Andrews, Scotland. The layout was created in 1867 specifically for female players to use. Emily and I visited and played The Himalayas in 2012. It's a wonderful layout and a must-play course for fans of minigolf.

You can read more about the history of the St Andrews Ladies’ Putting Club on their website. It's interesting to note there had previously been a small putting area set-up before 1860, while the 9-hole course opened in 1867.

Today there is a 9-hole and an 18-hole course, both open to the public for a nominal charge.

Scorecard from the 2017 USPMGA Master's minigolf competition held at the Hawaiian Rumble Mini Golf course in North Myrtle Beach. Donated by Pat Sheridan of The Putting Penguin

A selection of Putt-Putt tokens from the Museum's vaults

Pencils from the Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Prestatyn

Some of the other key dates in world minigolf are:

• 1916 - The first minigolf course in the USA. James Barber opened the 'Thistle Dhu' layout in Pinehurst, NC.
• 1926 - The very first Crazy Golf course in the UK opened on South Parade in Skegness, Lincolnshire, England.
• 1926 - The first artificial miniature golf course in the USA. Garnet Carter created the 'Tom Thumb' miniature golf course near Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, TN.
• National Miniature Golf Day always falls on the second Saturday in May.
• Miniature Golf Day is always on the 21st of September.
• 30th September marks the day we visited our first course on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour back in 2006.

Check out the Crazy Golf Museum website and Crazy Golf Museum-related blog posts for more info.

Happy National BBQ Week

National BBQ Week is running from the 25th to the 31st of May.

I heard on Twitter that this year is the 19th National BBQ Week. A time to celebrate all things BBQ!

Check out the National BBQ Week website for more information, facts and top tips about barbecuing.

Have a happy National BBQ Week!

As someone with Coeliac Disease eating safely at barbeques can be a problem. Whenever I go to a BBQ I always take my own disposable BBQ and utensils. If you are cooking gluten free food on a shared grill then use foil to separate your gluten free meat and food from anything containing gluten. Even if the grill has been cleaned thoroughly there may be trace elements of gluten.

Also, check where the gluten free buns are being warmed. Make sure they are kept and heated separately from other bread and buns.

Another thing to remember at BBQs is to check whether any of the soft drinks contain gluten? I remember being caught out by own-brand colas when I was first diagnosed - they contain barley gluten! So always check the labels.

Thankfully I have found more and more products are being made gluten free, only recently I spotted that Asda have a new range of gluten free sausages, hot dogs and toppings.

Foot long and gluten free!

But above all else do remember to have fun, eat well and enjoy the sun!

Links:
- National BBQ Week website
- National BBQ Week on Twitter
- National BBQ Week on Facebook

Related blog posts:
- BBQ
- Hot Dog
- Gluten Free
- Coeliac
- My life as a Coeliac in LEGO form