Wednesday, December 08, 2021

Pit-Pat Crazy Snooker Scorecard and a minigolf sign from Littlehampton

A couple of items from the Crazy Golf Museum's collection.


Here's a scorecard from the Pit-Pat Crazy Snooker course Littlehampton, West Sussex.

Pit-Pat Crazy Snooker Scorecard from Littlehampton
Pit-Pat Crazy Snooker Scorecard from Littlehampton


Unfortunately the course at Western Putting on Banjo Road in Littlehampton is long gone, along with the Crazy Golf and Putting layouts that were there too.

Mini Golf and Putting Leaderboard from Littlehampton
Mini Golf and Putting Leaderboard from Littlehampton

Many thanks to Anthony Pope for donating the items to the Crazy Golf Museum.

Blockbuster Video in Wisbech

We found another old Blockbuster Video store on our travels last month.


A QuikDrop Box at the former Blockbuster Video store in Wisbech
A QuikDrop Box at the former Blockbuster Video store in Wisbech

Luckily the former Blockbuster Video shop on Norfolk Street in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire still had a visible QuikDrop box in the entrance doorway.

A QuikDrop Box at the former Blockbuster Video store in Wisbech
At another former Blockbuster Video store!

A QuikDrop Box at the former Blockbuster Video store in Wisbech
A QuikDrop Box at the former Blockbuster Video store in Wisbech

The shop is now Lumira Snack Bar. But between the time of it being a video shop and today it was also The Entertainment Centre. A sign for that business is still on show on the rear of the unit on West Street.

Lumira Snack Bar in Wisbech - a former Blockbuster Video store
Lumira Snack Bar in Wisbech - a former Blockbuster Video store

Sign for The Entertainment Centre in Wisbech - itself a lost shop and a former Blockbuster Video store
Sign for The Entertainment Centre in Wisbech - itself a lost shop and a former Blockbuster Video store

Blockbuster Video

The first Blockbuster Video store opened in Dallas, Texas, USA in 1985.

At its peak in 2004 there were more than 9,000 stores around the world. 500+ of which were in the UK.

Blockbuster ceased operations in the UK in December 2013. At the start of that year there were 528 Blockbuster locations in the UK. The number dwindled until October when only 264 shops remained. The remaining stores closed on the 16th December.

There is now just one Blockbuster Video store left open. It's in Bend, Oregon, USA.

However, the UK's high streets, shopping precincts, malls and retail parks still hold traces of the brand. And we've been to most of them!

We've now been to 27 former Blockbuster Video stores since we found the remains of the Fallowfield shop near to us in Manchester.


Lost brands

I've spent a lot of the last two years reminiscing about 'the good old days' before the coronavirus pandemic hit the planet. One of my areas of interest is in old retail brands - I'm a marketer by profession and two of my first jobs in the 1990's and the year 2000 were at Tandy and Toys R Us. It's been fascinating to find remnants of a number of lost, dead and defunct brands on the high street and at retail parks.

You can now buy my new eBook 'Lost Toys R Us Stores'.

Tuesday, December 07, 2021

A minigolf scorecard from Texas

A look at a minigolf scorecard from Texas.


From the Crazy Golf Museum vaults - a minigolf scorecard from Christopher Gottfried's Crazy World of Minigolf Tour trip to Magic Carpet Golf in Galveston, Texas, USA.

A scorecard from Magic Carpet Golf in Galveston, Texas, USA
A scorecard from Magic Carpet Golf in Galveston, Texas, USA

A scorecard from Magic Carpet Golf in Galveston, Texas, USA
A scorecard from Magic Carpet Golf in Galveston, Texas, USA

A scorecard from Magic Carpet Golf in Galveston, Texas, USA
A scorecard from Magic Carpet Golf in Galveston, Texas, USA

SpongeBob SquarePants at Apperley Bridge Hand Car Wash

Spotting SpongeBob SquarePants in Apperley Bridge, Bradford.


Apperley Bridge Hand Car Wash

On a recent drive from Leeds to Bradford we passed through Apperley Bridge and spotted a familiar character on a sign.

Apperley Bridge Hand Car Wash
It doesn't look much like a pineapple under the sea

Apperley Bridge Hand Car Wash

Apperley Bridge Hand Car Wash

Apperley Bridge Hand Car Wash

Plonk Golf at Borough Market in London

A new Plonk Golf minigolf course is opening at Borough Market in London.


The team at Plonk Golf are opening a new 9-hole indoor crazy golf course at Borough Market in Southwark, London.

You can also find Plonk Golf courses at London Fields, the Horniman Museum and Camden Market.

Check out the Plonk Golf website for more information.


We've visited a number of Plonk Golf courses on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour since the first of the brand's layouts was created in Dalston back in 2015.

Plonk Golf in Shoreditch in 2019
Plonk Golf in Shoreditch in 2019

Sunday, December 05, 2021

Jump Heaven Adventure Golf in Hazel Grove, Stockport.

A new adventure golf course is being built at Jump Heaven in Hazel Grove, Stockport.


The new Jump Heaven Adventure Golf course at Jump Heaven in Hazel Grove, Stockport is opening in March 2022.

Jump Heaven Adventure Golf in Hazel Grove, Stockport.
Opening in March 2022

We swung by for a quick look while out on a Sunday drive.

Jump Heaven Adventure Golf under construction in Hazel Grove, Stockport. December 2021

Jump Heaven Adventure Golf under construction in Hazel Grove, Stockport. December 2021

Jump Heaven Adventure Golf under construction in Hazel Grove, Stockport. December 2021

Jump Heaven Adventure Golf under construction in Hazel Grove, Stockport. December 2021

Visit the Jump Heaven website for more information.


It'll be a very local course for us and our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

A Filwood Fantastic Crazy Golf scorecard

A look at a scorecard from the Filwood Fantastic Crazy Golf course in Knowle West, Bristol.


From the Crazy Golf Museum vaults - a scorecard from the Filwood Fantastic Crazy Golf course in Knowle West, Bristol, England.

A Filwood Fantastic Crazy Golf scorecard
A Filwood Fantastic Crazy Golf scorecard

A Filwood Fantastic Crazy Golf scorecard
A Filwood Fantastic Crazy Golf scorecard

The real life mini golf course was created during the pandemic and the ideas for the hole designs were generated by members of the Knowle West community during Lockdown 1.

The Filwood Fantastic Mini Golf Club's 9-hole Crazy Golf course was the 966th visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour since September 2006.

Check out the Filwood Community Centre website for more information.

Arnold Palmer Minigolf at Haven Caister-on-Sea Holiday Park

A look at the Arnold Palmer Minigolf Course at the Haven Caister-on-Sea Holiday Park in Norfolk.


Arnold Palmer Minigolf at Haven Caister-on-Sea Holiday Park. Photo by Peter Jones, November 2021
Arnold Palmer Minigolf at Haven Caister-on-Sea Holiday Park

A big thanks to our friend, team-mate and minigolf rival Peter Jones for sending over these photos of the Arnold Palmer Minigolf Course at the Haven Caister-on-Sea Holiday Park in Norfolk.

Arnold Palmer Minigolf at Haven Caister-on-Sea Holiday Park. Photo by Peter Jones, November 2021
Arnold Palmer Minigolf at Haven Caister-on-Sea Holiday Park

It's one of the few remaining Arnold Palmer Putting Courses in the UK.

Arnold Palmer Minigolf at Haven Caister-on-Sea Holiday Park. Photo by Peter Jones, November 2021
Arnold Palmer Minigolf at Haven Caister-on-Sea Holiday Park

While the course has had some new obstacles added and fresh felt it is still easily recognisable as an Arnold Palmer Putting Course and appears to be in excellent condition.

Arnold Palmer Minigolf at Haven Caister-on-Sea Holiday Park. Photo by Peter Jones, November 2021
Arnold Palmer Minigolf at Haven Caister-on-Sea Holiday Park

Arnold Palmer Minigolf at Haven Caister-on-Sea Holiday Park. Photo by Peter Jones, November 2021
Arnold Palmer Minigolf at Haven Caister-on-Sea Holiday Park

Arnold Palmer Minigolf at Haven Caister-on-Sea Holiday Park. Photo by Peter Jones, November 2021
Arnold Palmer Minigolf at Haven Caister-on-Sea Holiday Park

Arnold Palmer Minigolf at Haven Caister-on-Sea Holiday Park. Photo by Peter Jones, November 2021
Arnold Palmer Minigolf at Haven Caister-on-Sea Holiday Park

Arnold Palmer Minigolf at Haven Caister-on-Sea Holiday Park. Photo by Peter Jones, November 2021
Arnold Palmer Minigolf at Haven Caister-on-Sea Holiday Park

Arnold Palmer Minigolf at Haven Caister-on-Sea Holiday Park. Photo by Peter Jones, November 2021
Arnold Palmer Minigolf at Haven Caister-on-Sea Holiday Park

Arnold Palmer Minigolf at Haven Caister-on-Sea Holiday Park. Photo by Peter Jones, November 2021
Arnold Palmer Minigolf at Haven Caister-on-Sea Holiday Park

Arnold Palmer Minigolf at Haven Caister-on-Sea Holiday Park. Photo by Peter Jones, November 2021
Arnold Palmer Minigolf at Haven Caister-on-Sea Holiday Park

Arnold Palmer Minigolf at Haven Caister-on-Sea Holiday Park. Photo by Peter Jones, November 2021
Arnold Palmer Minigolf at Haven Caister-on-Sea Holiday Park

Arnold Palmer Minigolf at Haven Caister-on-Sea Holiday Park. Photo by Peter Jones, November 2021
The final hole on the Arnold Palmer Minigolf course at Haven's Caister-on-Sea Holiday Park has a Punch & Judy obstacle

Arnold Palmer Putting Courses

The Arnold Palmer branded miniature golf courses were part of the Arnold Palmer Enterprises empire set-up in 1961 that saw the legendary golfer's name licensed and franchised to a wide-range of activities and products including Dry Cleaning centres and an Arnold Palmer brand foot detergent.

The first Arnold Palmer Putting Course in the UK opened in Coventry in 1965 and was part of an Arnold Palmer Driving Range. A course was also located at a Driving Range in Sheffield.


Playing minigolf at Haven holiday parks


They've also played crazy golf at a few other Haven holiday parks over the year.

Hopefully we'll get to have a game on the course on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour in the future.


Visit the Haven website for more information.

Arnold Palmer Minigolf at California Cliffs Holiday Park in Scratby, Great Yarmouth

A look at the Arnold Palmer Minigolf Course at California Cliffs Holiday Park in Scratby, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.


Arnold Palmer Minigolf at California Cliffs Holiday Park in Scratby, Great Yarmouth. Photo by Peter Jones
Arnold Palmer Minigolf at California Cliffs Holiday Park in Scratby, Great Yarmouth

Our friends and minigolf rival Peter Jones sent us these photos of the Arnold Palmer Minigolf Course at California Cliffs Holiday Park in Scratby while on his recent trip to the Greater Yarmouth area.


Arnold Palmer Minigolf at California Cliffs Holiday Park in Scratby, Great Yarmouth. Photo by Peter Jones
Arnold Palmer Minigolf at California Cliffs Holiday Park in Scratby, Great Yarmouth

Arnold Palmer Minigolf at California Cliffs Holiday Park in Scratby, Great Yarmouth. Photo by Peter Jones
Arnold Palmer Minigolf at California Cliffs Holiday Park in Scratby, Great Yarmouth

Arnold Palmer Minigolf at California Cliffs Holiday Park in Scratby, Great Yarmouth. Photo by Peter Jones
Arnold Palmer Minigolf at California Cliffs Holiday Park in Scratby, Great Yarmouth

Arnold Palmer Minigolf at California Cliffs Holiday Park in Scratby, Great Yarmouth. Photo by Peter Jones
Arnold Palmer Minigolf at California Cliffs Holiday Park in Scratby, Great Yarmouth

Arnold Palmer Minigolf at California Cliffs Holiday Park in Scratby, Great Yarmouth. Photo by Peter Jones
Arnold Palmer Minigolf at California Cliffs Holiday Park in Scratby, Great Yarmouth

Like it's neighbour at Haven Caister-on-Sea Holiday Park it's one of the few remaining Arnold Palmer Putting Courses in the UK.

Arnold Palmer Putting Courses

The Arnold Palmer branded miniature golf courses were part of the Arnold Palmer Enterprises empire set-up in 1961 that saw the legendary golfer's name licensed and franchised to a wide-range of activities and products including Dry Cleaning centres and an Arnold Palmer brand foot detergent.

The first Arnold Palmer Putting Course in the UK opened in Coventry in 1965 and was part of an Arnold Palmer Driving Range. A course was also located at a Driving Range in Sheffield.


The crazy golf course at California Cliffs Holiday Park is another that'd be ace to play on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.


Visit the Parkdean Resorts website for more information.

Friday, December 03, 2021

Crazier Golf scorecard from Boom Battle Bar in Norwich

A look at a minigolf scorecard from Boom Battle Bar in Norwich.


From the Crazy Golf Museum vaults - a minigolf scorecard from our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour visit to the Crazier Golf course at Boom Battle Bar in Norwich, Norfolk earlier this year.

A Crazier Golf scorecard from Boom Battle Bar in Norwich
Crazier Golf scorecard from Boom Battle Bar in Norwich

A Crazier Golf scorecard from Boom Battle Bar in Norwich
Crazier Golf scorecard from Boom Battle Bar in Norwich

A Crazier Golf scorecard from Boom Battle Bar in Norwich
Crazier Golf scorecard from Boom Battle Bar in Norwich

Check out the Boom: Battle Bar website for more information.

Adventure Golf at High Legh Park Golf Club in High Legh, near Knutsford

There are plans for a new Adventure Golf course at High Legh Park Golf Club in High Legh, near Knutsford, Cheshire.


There are plans for a new Adventure Golf course at High Legh Park Golf Club in High Legh, near Knutsford, Cheshire

The outdoor adventure golf course would have a gator-theme.

Visit the High Legh Park Golf Club website for more information.


It'll be another new local course for us to visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Thursday, December 02, 2021

A minigolf pencil from Texas

A look at a minigolf pencil from Texas.


From the Crazy Golf Museum vaults - a minigolf pencil from Christopher Gottfried's Crazy World of Minigolf Tour trip to Magic Carpet Golf in Galveston, Texas, USA.

A minigolf pencil from Texas
A minigolf pencil from Texas

Wednesday, December 01, 2021

Minigolf scorecard from Aces Minigolf Gloucester

A look at a minigolf scorecard from Aces Minigolf Gloucester.



Minigolf scorecard from Aces Minigolf Gloucester
Minigolf scorecard from Aces Minigolf Gloucester

Minigolf scorecard from Aces Minigolf Gloucester
Minigolf scorecard from Aces Minigolf Gloucester

Minigolf scorecard from Aces Minigolf Gloucester
Minigolf scorecard from Aces Minigolf Gloucester

Check out Aces Minigolf Gloucester for more information.

Happy 1st of December

The perfect time for another supermarket branded Christmas jumper!


Lidl Christmas jumper 2021
Lidl Christmas jumper 2021

It's the second year in a row that Lidl have released a Christmas jumper. Here's 2020's version.