Butlin's postcards in November's Picture Postcard Monthly magazine

Check out the November issue of Picture Postcard Monthly magazine to read my article celebrating the 80th birthday of Butlin's.

I love the British seaside with all its quirks, eccentricity and traditional entertainment. My family often went on holiday to Butlin's holiday camps in Minehead, Bognor Regis and Ayr - and I spent many summers in the 80's and 90's at the Barry Island Holiday Camp, which was formerly a Butlin's camp.

The Chalets, Butlins Holiday Camp, Skegness - Valentine's G.7241. A postally unused and undated card from my collection

As an avid collector of miniature golf postcards I've picked up a fair few Butlin's cards along the way - the courses at the camps featured some very big golf balls and tees and make for quite a striking image.

Holiday camps, miniature golf and monorails - three of my favourite subjects

As you can see, cards featuring monorails are a popular theme. In fact it was Butlin’s that introduced the UK’s first commercial monorail system, opening the loop at the Skegness holiday camp in 1965. The second monorail opened at Minehead in 1967 and that's the one I have great memories of.

Check out the Hi-di-Hi! feature in Picture Postcard Monthly magazine, available via the PPM website.

Links:
- Picture Postcard Monthly magazine
- Butlin's

Related blog posts:
- Postcards
- Butlin's
- Happy Birthday Butlin's

End of the Petanque season in Stockport. Or is it...

Playing Pétanque at Alexandra Park in Edgeley, Stockport.

Today's session of Pétanque in the Park with the Woodstock Pétanque Club was scheduled to be the last of the season. But with the nice weather and good turnout of players the club are looking at rolling on into the winter months, weather permitting.

Lovely weather and excellent company. What sport is all about

In today's session I walked away with a 100% win record. Albeit having only played one match as I was otherwise engaged prior to the normal 1pm start time.

My bright new coche. With my shinyish newish boules

The format of play at the Woodstock Pétanque Club is great fun. It's easy to get involved and pick up the sport and well worth a go if you've never played before.

In our game - the last of three in the afternoon - I was drawn in a triples team with Jackie and Barbara to take on the pair of Paul and Andrew. In this type of situation each of the players in the team of three use two boules each, while the duo get to use three boules each.

What a match-up the blind drew created

With some very close ends played and some fine shooting and pointing from all the players we emerged as winners with a 13-8 scoreline.

The Woodstock Pétanque Club meets-up on the second and fourth Sunday of each month. New players are very welcome. It costs just £10 for the annual membership, with a £1 fee per week when you play - with prizes up for grabs for results over the three games played. The 'normal' season runs from March to October. Check out the Woodstock Pétanque Club's website for more details.

Related blog posts:
- Pétanque
- Petanque
- Boules
- Petanque in Stockport

Links:
- Woodstock Pétanque Club on Twitter
- Woodstock Pétanque Club on Facebook
- Woodstock Pétanque Club website
- English Pétanque Association
- Geologic

The Corner Bar in Stockport Market

A visit to The Corner Bar in Stockport Market.

There's a lot of debate as to which is the smallest pub in Britain/the UK/the planet. On our travels we've been to The Signal Box Inn at the end of the Cleethorpes Light Railway in Lincolnshire (the smallest pub on the planet) and more recently to the Lakeside Inn at Southport (the smallest pub in Britain).

Well, to add to the mix there's a very very very tiny pub in Stockport's Market Hall - The Corner Bar.

Emily and a visiting Simon Hall at a very small bar indeed. It was well stocked with draught and bottled beer and cider

We certainly deserved a drink after our tour of one of the more horrifying stops on the Stockport Town Centre Heritage Trail. Luckily there is plenty of outdoor seating at Stockport Market

Link:
- Stockport Market website
- Stockport Market on Twitter

Related blog posts:
- A visit to the Smallest Pub on the Planet
- The Lakeside Inn at Southport, Britain's Smallest Pub
- Stockport
- Pubs

Stockport Heritage Trust's Dungeon Tours

Exploring more of the rich history of Stockport.

A few weeks ago Emily and I enjoyed an amble around Stockport town centre and checked out a few of the pubs there too. Walking from the market hall towards the Underbank we noticed a wooden door above the ground and a plaque above that.

The plaque described how the building had once been the town's Court Leet - the magistrates court of its time - and the door was the entrance and exit to a dungeon!

Last weekend we were enjoying another walk around our new local town, this time with our friend Simon who had just arrived for a weekend stay with us. We walked up Mealhouse Brow to show him the dungeon door and plaque as it was an interesting bit of history. And while we were at the spot we were offered a tour of it! We didn't realise that was a thing - but the Stockport Heritage Trust look after the building and the building is open for tours.

Free tour if your dare! Well worth a visit though

In a way we wish we hadn't gone in, as the dungeon itself has to be see to be believed! The outer door we had seen was the way in to the 'drunk tank' dungeon - itself a pretty squalid cell. But the dungeon of the Court Leet was far more horrifying than that.

The view of the drunk tank cell - seen from a hole in the court leet cell. I think I'd rather have just been given a tour of the dungeon with the door!

Even so, for anyone interested in social history, and the history of Stockport, Mealhouse Brow is well worth a visit. Just be prepared to hear from the knowledgeable volunteer from Stockport Heritage Trust about the conditions prisoners were kept in!

Visit the Stockport Heritage Trust website and blog for more information and details of the Stockport Heritage Trail.

We picked up a copy of the Stockport Heritage Trust's Town Trail map and are looking forward to exploring the other places of interest in the town.

Links:
- Stockport Heritage Trust website
- Stockport Heritage Trust blog
- Stockport Blue Plaques

Related blog posts:
- Stockport

Dragon Miniature Railway at the Wyevale Garden Centre in Marple

Visiting the Dragon Miniature Railway at Marple Garden Centre.

Driving from the Brookside Miniature Railway in Poynton to Werneth Low to take a look at the spectacular view over the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport and beyond we passed through Marple and spotted another miniature railway! So we had to call in for a ride on the little train.

The Western Champion engine waits at Otterspool Junction

The Dragon Miniature Railway can be found at the Marple Wyevale Garden Centre in Otterspool, Stockport.

The Flying Dragon engine

Heading into a tunnel

At only £1 a ride it was marvellous value, and we got to sit in enclosed carriages for our fare too.

Classy carriages

About to get underway

Links:
- Wyevale Garden Centre, Marple
- Miniature Railway World

Related blog posts:
- Miniature Railways

Adventure Golf at Telford Town Park

A visit to the Adventure Golf course at Telford Town Park.

On a recent visit to Telford I noticed that the Town Park had a 12-hole Adventure Golf course.

The layout, made by City Golf, has a Telford-theme to it and features local landmarks.

The Adventure Golf course at Telford Town Park became the 716th visited on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

On our previous visit to Telford we visited Wonderland. The Crazy Golf course there was the 300th played and 500th visited on our tour.

Telford Town Park was a nice spot for a wander. I'll definitely explore it more on a future visit. One of the walks in the area features an old Railway Platform, something the train nerd in me would like to see.

Looking on the Telford Town Park map I also noticed that there was an area to play Boules. I tried looking for the terrain and the petanque piste but I couldn't see it at all.

Until I looked at the ground UNDERNEATH the outdoor table football and table tennis court!

No boule games here

Give the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour a Like on Facebook, watch our YouTube channel and follow us on Twitter @putting_gott and @Ems_Lems. You can now sign-up to receive our miniature golf newsletter too.

Brookside Miniature Railway in Poynton

A visit to the Brookside Miniature Railway in Poynton, Stockport.

Since moving north we've spotted a few miniature railways on our travels around our new local area. The first of these - the Brookside Miniature Railway in Poynton - was randomly found en route to Macclesfield last month.

The Brookside Miniature Railway is located at the Brookside Garden Centre in Poynton, near Hazel Grove and is well worth a visit. We spotted the sign from the road outside and had to call in for a visit.

Full steam ahead

We enjoyed our ride on the train so much that we took our friend, and fellow fan of miniature golf and railways, Oliver Florence there on his recent stay with us in the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport.

Ollie and Richard on the train

Squire Richard with the Sir Richard engine

New locals of Cheadle

The "Greatest little railway in Cheshire". Not my words, the words of Phil Collins

A view of an engine

On our first visit fares were £1.80 for adults. As the route was shortened on our second visit tickets were £1.50

A long Stockport bench

As there is some building work going on through the winter the route of travel has been truncated. Luckily our first visit coincided with the last weekend of steam until next summer.

The closed section of line. Luckily we got to travel that way the week before our second visit

Check out the links below for more information on the Brookside Miniature Railway, as well as other miniature railways in the UK. Visiting them could become a new tickable list activity like the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour...

Like Land of the Giants

Links:
- Brookside Miniature Railway in Poynton
- Brookside Garden Centre
- Miniature Railway World

Related blog posts:
- Miniature Railways

Silent movies and Wurlitzer organ music

Stockport Town Hall Silver Screen Evenings with the Lancastrian Theatre Organ Trust.

We're always on the lookout for fun, interesting and different things to see and do, and since moving to the Stockport area three months ago we've had plenty of opportunity to do just that.

On Friday we went along to the Stockport Town Hall Silver Screen Evening to watch the 1920 film Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. We've never seen a silent movie on the big screen before and were very impressed. The film was accompanied by Donald MacKenzie from the Lancastrian Theatre Organ Trust playing the Wurlitzer Organ throughout.

What a setting for a silent movie and Wurlitzer organ music

Stockport Town Hall is a fine setting. It was built at the start of the 20th century and based on Belfast Town Hall. We first visited the hall for a recent postcard fair and were impressed by the nice interior. It was a great place to watch the film and be entertained.

The Wurlitzer Organ - when we arrived I could've sworn I heard the music from Holiday on the Buses being played, but Emily thinks I was mistaken

The Lancastrian Theatre Organ Trust and Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council will next be showing Robin Hood on Friday 18th November, with Safety Last and Get Out and Get Under on Friday 23rd December. Admission to the shows is £10, with doors opening at 6.45pm for a 7pm start. It's well worth going along to. Good music, films, venue and bar - what more could you ask for.

Upcoming shows in the series

Throughout the year the Town Hall hosts Wurlitzer Organ Concerts. You can find out more information on the Stockport Town Hall and Lancastrian Theatre Organ Trust websites.

Links:
- Lancastrian Theatre Organ Trust
- Stockport Town Hall

Britain's Barmiest Golfers

Emily and I have been named as two of Britain's Barmiest Golfers in the latest issue of Today's Golfer magazine. Check out the feature in the November 2016 edition.

Do we look barmy to you?

It's great to see our friend and minigolf rival Tiger Pragnell getting featured too. As well as crazy logo golf ball obsessive Martyn Vallance showing off his collection of 80,000+ golf balls too.

Last year I was named ‘Officially Britain’s Craziest Golfer’ by the magazine.

Perhaps it's hardly surprising to collect these 'gongs' considering we've visited more than 700 miniature golf courses on our travels over the last ten years!

Give the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour a Like on Facebook, watch our YouTube channel and follow us on Twitter @putting_gott and @Ems_Lems. You can now sign-up to receive our miniature golf newsletter too.

Bagatelle at the Union Vaults pub in Chester

Playing Bagatelle in Chester.

We love playing pub games and when our friend and minigolf rival Jam Trubridge told us that you can still play Bagatelle in Chester we knew we'd have to hunt down a table for a game.

The Union Vaults in Cheshire is a proper pub. They've got a dart board there too

Jam recommended the Union Vaults so, after our ride on the Grosvenor Park Miniature Railway, we headed to the pub.

The Union Vaults had a nice table. It was a great place for us to have our first play of the old game 

We received a nice welcome from the locals at the busy pub and they were very happy to help us novice players have a game.

The final resting positions of the balls in our close contest

One of our favourite pub games is Bar Billiards and the rules of that game can appear complicated to a newcomer. Bagatelle is no different in that respect. However, while the two cue, table and green baize ball games may also appear to be similar in appearance, looks can be deceiving.

Playing for the black - as you must unless it's been cupped

What's really nice about Bagatelle is that there are no mechanisms on the table, so once your go is over and you've totted up your score, you have to retrieve the balls and let the next player take their turn.

Emily playing a nice opening shot

With each pocket worth from 1 to 9, and the black ball scoring double if potted, the aim is to reach exactly 101 points. We found ending the game to be quite tricky indeed, as to do so you must finish on 101 - for instance, if you needed thirteen points (as we did at one point) but shot a total of 14 or over on your turn, your break was stopped and the next player took to the table.

The table was placed next to the window and near a telly showing the horse racing, so it seemed like we had the eyes of the pub upon us as we played! We did receive plenty of tips from the locals as well though

In our match-up I picked up the win 101 to Emily's 92. My highest break was 33 (the opening one), while Emily scored in the twenties on one go.

The final score

It's a great game, simple to pick up and play, but one that takes ages to master. We'll definitely play Bagatelle again.

Check out the Chester & District Bagatelle League website for more information on the game and places to play it in and around Chester.

Related blog posts:
- Pub games
- Sports and games we've played
- Bar Billiards
- Chester

Grosvenor Park Miniature Railway in Chester

A visit to the Grosvenor Park Miniature Railway in Chester.

Upon arrival in Chester we checked out the city map in the car park by the racecourse - and lo' and behold we spotted there was a miniature railway in Grosvenor Park! We had to take a look.

A lovely brown sign for the Grosvenor Park Miniature Railway

Luckily the weather and timing was right so we got to have a go on it.

The mini-miniature railway gets the thumbs-up from me

Grosvenor Park station - the start and terminus and only station on the line

The train shed

The engine in use on our visit

The engine makes a relatively short loop of the park, with no tunnels. Although it does go across a long bridge next to a duck pond - and the sound as it goes along the bridge is marvellous.

The train next to the pond

About to cross the bridge

An adult fare is £1.50 (or three rides for £2.50). Take a look at the Grosvenor Park Miniature Railway Facebook page for more information.

Related blog posts:
- Miniature Railways
- Chester

A visit to the Lakeside Miniature Railway in Southport

Lakeside Miniature Railway in Southport.

We'd forgotten there was a miniature railway in Southport, so it was a nice surprise to see it when we parked up near to Marine Parade Station next to the pier.

Marine Parade Station

Unfortunately we were just on the wrong side of the season to have a ride on it.

The larger of the two stations on the Lakeside Miniature Railway

The trains on the Lakeside Miniature Railway run from the Marine Parade Station alongside the pier, passed the BMX and skate park, near to the Pitch & Putt course and the beside the lakes as it makes its way to the Pleasureland station. We had a nice walk along the route.

Passing under the pier

I do like to see writing on a roof

Pleasureland terminus

A park bench at Pleasureland station

Another view of the bench at the station

We also spotted there's a Model Railway Village in Southport. Unfortunately the last day of the season there was the week before too.

The Model Railway Village in Southport

We did have a great time promenading in the seaside town and got to play and revisit the Crazy Golf courses there, as well as have a drink in the Smallest Pub in Britain!

Links:
- Lakeside Miniature Railway
- Southport Model Railway Village

Related blog posts:
- Southport
- Miniature Railway

Give the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour a Like on Facebook, watch our YouTube channel and follow us on Twitter @putting_gott and @Ems_Lems.

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