Saturday, June 18, 2022

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

A look at the Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf course at Hotham Park in Bognor Regis, West Sussex.


Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

A big thank you as always goes to our friend and minigolf rival Stephen Skinner for sending us these photos of the Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf course at Hotham Park in Bognor Regis.

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf at Hotham Park in Bognor Regis

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

We haven't played the course on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour yet, but back in 2011 we did play the old Crazy Golf and Putting course where the new Adventure Golf now sits.

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
A scorecard from the Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf course in Bognor Regis

Visit the Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf course website for more information.


Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

Electronic Arcade Crazy Golf

New in the Crazy Golf Museum - Electronic Arcade Crazy Golf by Ambassador.


Electronic Arcade Crazy Golf by Ambassador
A brilliant car boot sale find this morning

Electronic Arcade Crazy Golf by Ambassador
Electronic Arcade Crazy Golf - see a video of the game in action

Electronic Arcade Crazy Golf by Ambassador
You get a nice pad of scorecards in the game

Minigolf in Denton Gardens, Worthing

Denton Gardens in Worthing, West Sussex is 100 years old today. There has been minigolf of one kind or another there for many of those years.


It's now home to the 18-hole Splash Point Mini Golf course.

Minigolf was first played in Denton Gardens on Tuesday 1st July 1924.

The 18-hole Splash Point Mini Golf course was the 181st played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Splash Point Mini Golf at Denton Gardens in Worthing. April 2019
Playing Splash Point Mini Golf in 2019

Splash Point Mini Golf in Denton Gardens, Worthing
Playing the course in 2010

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

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

Putting Green, Denton Park, Worthing - postcard. Unposted. Undated
A postcard showing the Putting Green, Denton Park, Worthing - it's unposted and undated

The Putting Green, Denton Gardens, Worthing. Picture Post Card by Wardell's. Postally unused. Undated
The Putting Green, Denton Gardens, Worthing. Picture Post Card by Wardell's. Postally unused. Undated

Wednesday, June 15, 2022

Scorecard from Lost World Adventure Golf in Hemsby

Here's a minigolf scorecard from the Lost World Adventure Golf course in Hemsby, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England.

Scorecard from Lost World Adventure Golf in Hemsby

A lovely addition to our collection of minigolf scorecards and ephemera.

Collected on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour and this year's Big Mini Golf Tour.

Puttstars Crazy Golf at Ashton Leisure Park

There are plans for a new Puttstars Crazy Golf centre at Ashton Leisure Park in Tameside.


There are plans for a new Puttstars Crazy Golf centre at Ashton Leisure Park in Tameside

Check out the Puttstars website for more information.


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


Puttstars Mini Golf at Rochdale Riverside
Mini Golf at Puttstars

Duxbury Park Adventure Golf in Chorley

A new Adventure Golf course is opening at Duxbury Park in Chorley, Lancashire.


A new Adventure Golf course is opening at Duxbury Park in Chorley, Lancashire

The 12-hole Adventure Golf course opens on Friday 17th June.

Visit the Duxbury Park Adventure Golf course website for more information.


Another new course for us to visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Scorecard from Stonehenge Adventure Golf in Hemsby

Here's a minigolf scorecard from Stonehenge Adventure Golf in Hemsby, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England.


Scorecard from Stonehenge Adventure Golf in Hemsby
Scorecard from Stonehenge Adventure Golf in Hemsby

Scorecard from Stonehenge Adventure Golf in Hemsby
Scorecard from Stonehenge Adventure Golf in Hemsby

A nice addition to our collection of scorecards and ephemera.

Collected on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour and this year's Big Mini Golf Tour.

Monday, June 13, 2022

Museum Week 2022

This week is Museum Week.


MuseumWeek


Since 2014 MuseumWeek has grown to include over 60,000 participants from 100+ countries. It has 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 - the 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.

            Fourteen years gluten free

            Today marks my fourteen year Coeliac Anniversary - my Coeliacversary.


            Coeliac disease and gluten free

            I was diagnosed with Coeliac Disease fourteen years ago today. And so began my journey into the gluten free world.

            What is Coeliac Disease?


            Coeliac Disease 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.

            In the UK it's estimated that 1 in 100 people have the condition.

            Living a gluten free life


            Richard Gottfried - Coeliac Crazy Golfer
            I'm still alive and kicking as I've avoided gluten (my Kryptonite) since 2008

            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.

            My life as a Coeliac in LEGO form
            My life as a Coeliac in LEGO form

            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 and drink I've found since 2008.

            Thank you to everyone for their support, tips, help and recommendations over the years. It's very much appreciated.

            For more information on Coeliac Disease visit the NHS Choices and Coeliac UK websites.

            Saturday, June 11, 2022

            Making it a Blockbusters NQ night

            Drinking in a video store.


            Blockbusters NQ in Manchester

            We finally made it to Blockbusters NQ in Manchester last Thursday.

            Blockbusters NQ in Manchester
            Not a video store

            It was nice to have a drink in a 'video shop' speakeasy.

            Blockbusters NQ in Manchester
            It was nice to be on the INSIDE of a new bar for a change!

            We first heard about the nostalgia-inducing video rental shop bar last November and have been looking forward to stepping inside since we first saw it.

            Blockbusters NQ in Manchester
            BE KIND
            REWIND

            The theming is really well done and the bar had a chilled atmosphere. It's worth a visit.

            Blockbusters NQ in Manchester
            An eclectic selection

            Blockbusters NQ in Manchester
            You can never have enough copies of True Lies. I prefer the Laserdisc edition myself

            Most of the videos are retail ones rather than ex-rental tapes, but there are some big box treats to find lurking on the shelves.

            Blockbusters NQ in Manchester
            A look at the cocktail menu and one of the big box ex-rental Blockbuster Video tapes I found on the shelves

            Blockbusters NQ in Manchester
            The Chase is the best bit of Midnight Express

            Blockbusters NQ in Manchester
            This big box ex-rental tape is from a Video Box Office store.Video Box Office was the Business to Business part of ChoicesUK and launched in the UK in 1985 when the brand offered video rental services via third-party convenience stores. As the popularity of physical media rentals declined in the late noughties 59 ChoicesUK shops were taken over and rebranded as Blockbuster stores! We found an old Video Box Office presence inside a Happy Shopper in Ilkeston, Derby in 2020

            Blockbusters NQ in Manchester
            PLEASE REWIND

            Check out the Blockbusters NQ website for more information and opening times.


            Blockbuster Video

            We're big fans of video, videos stores, retail history and retro stuff and have been visiting and documenting the last remaining traces of the Blockbuster brand in the UK over the last few years. We've seen a number of the brand's shopfronts, signs and QuikDrop boxes. As well as some other video shops.


            Blockbuster Video at Fallowfield Retail Park in Manchester, June 2020
            Blockbuster Video at Fallowfield Retail Park in Manchester, June 2020

            Blockbuster Video Stores

            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 visited 28 former Blockbuster Video stores since we found the remains of the Fallowfield shop.

            Friday, June 03, 2022

            Putters Crazy Golf at the Urban Playground in Manchester

            A look at Putters Tech-Infused Crazy Golf at the Urban Playground in the Manchester Arndale Centre.


            Putters Crazy Golf at the Urban Playground in Manchester

            The Urban Playground at the Manchester Arndale Centre is home to three 9-hole indoor tech-infused Crazy Golf courses.

            Putters Crazy Golf at the Urban Playground in Manchester

            Putters Crazy Golf at the Urban Playground in Manchester

            Putters Crazy Golf at the Urban Playground in Manchester

            Check out the Urban Playground website for more information.


            Putters Crazy Golf at the Urban Playground in Manchester

            Blockbusters NQ is open in Manchester

            Although we were there too early in the afternoon to get a drink.


            Blockbusters NQ is now open in Manchester

            Check out the Blockbusters NQ website for more information and opening times.


            We're hoping to head inside for a look and a drink in the next few weeks...


            Blockbuster Video

            We're big fans of video, videos stores, retail history and retro stuff and have been visiting and documenting the last remaining traces of the Blockbuster brand in the UK over the last few years. We've seen a number of the brand's shopfronts, signs and QuikDrop boxes. As well as some other video shops.


            Blockbuster Video Stores

            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!

            The QuikDrop box at the former Blockbuster Video Express store in Failsworth, Manchester
            The QuikDrop box at the former Blockbuster Video Express store in Failsworth, Manchester

            We've now visited 28 former Blockbuster Video stores since we found the remains of the Fallowfield shop.

            Adventure Golf at Fusion Trampoline Park in Carlisle

            There are plans for a new Adventure Golf course at Fusion Trampoline Park in Carlisle.


            There are plans for a new Adventure Golf course at Fusion Trampoline Park in Carlisle.

            The 18-hole outdoor Adventure Golf course at Fusion Trampoline Park would have have a Roman-theme.

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

            Abingdon Bun Throwing - Sunday 5th June 2022

            The next Bun Throwing event will be held in Abingdon to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee on Sunday 5th June 2022.


            The first bun is due to be thrown from the top of the old county hall at 5pm.

            There will be entertainment from a band and the town's Morris Dancers from 4pm.

            The last bun throwing held in the town to date was in 2018 to commemorate 100 years since the end of the First World War. That bun throwing was the 35th event since 1761.


            Currant buns from the Bun Throwing that celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II in 2012. A total of 6,000 buns were thrown on that occasion
            Currant buns from the bun throwing that celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II in 2012. A total of 6,000 buns were thrown on that occasion 

            This will be the 16th Bun Throwing event in my lifetime. I've been to them all so far.


            Visit the Abingdon Town Council website for more information on the jubilee events.

            Sunday, May 29, 2022

            Adventure Golf at Fishers Farm Park in Sussex

            A look at the Forgotten Farm Adventure Golf course at Fishers Farm Park in Sussex.


            Forgotten Farm Adventure Golf course at Fishers Farm Park in Sussex. Photo by Christopher Gottfried, May 2022

            My brother and his family recently visited Fishers Farm Park in Sussex and saw the Forgotten Farm Adventure Golf course there.

            Forgotten Farm Adventure Golf course at Fishers Farm Park in Sussex. Photo by Christopher Gottfried, May 2022

            Visit the Fishers Farm Park website for more information.


            Forgotten Farm Adventure Golf course at Fishers Farm Park in Sussex. Photo by Christopher Gottfried, May 2022

            The combined total of the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour is now at 1,032 courses visited since September 2006.

            Porthmadog Crazy Golf

            A look at the Porthmadog Crazy Golf course.


            Many thanks to our friend and minigolf rival Jam Trubridge for sending over this snap of the Crazy Golf courses in Porthmadog in Wales. What a sad sight.

            Porthmadog Crazy Golf. Photo by James Trubridge, May 2022

            We visited the courses on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour back in 2009. At that time there was this Swedish Felt course, the fibreglass course in the background and a grass Putting course to the right.

            Dino Encounters Crazy Golf in Great Wakering, Essex

            A new Crazy Golf course has opened at Cupids Country Club in Great Wakering, Essex.


            A new Crazy Golf course has opened at Cupids Country Club in Great Wakering, Essex

            Many thanks to my cousin Jayne for letting me know about a new minigolf course that has opened near her.

            Dino Encounters Crazy Golf is now open at Cupids Country Club in Great Wakering, Essex.

            Check out the Dino Encounters Crazy Golf Facebook Page for more information.


            It's another new place for us to play the game on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

            Aztec Adventure Golf at Dobbies Garden Centre in Huntingdon

            A new Aztec Adventure Golf course is opening at Dobbies Garden Centre in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire this summer.


            A new Aztec Adventure Golf course is opening at Dobbies Garden Centre in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire this summer

            The new course is set to open in July 2022.

            Visit the Aztec Adventure Golf website for more information.


            The layout is another new one for us to swing by on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.