Edgeley Skatepark at Alexandra Park in Stockport

A view of the building work for the new Edgeley Skatepark at Alexandra Park.

On a lunchtime wander to Edgeley in Stockport I had a walk around Alexandra Park - home of the Woodstock Petanque Club. Apart from getting chased by a few geese down at Sykes Reservoir at the bottom of the park the biggest surprise was seeing how much work had been done on the new BMX and skatepark.

The Edgeley skatepark in Alexandra Park is being built on much of the area previously used as a Boules Terrain and Pistes for the Woodstock Petanque Club to play on.

Woodstock Petanque Club players in action on the terrain in October

Photo updates (22nd December 2016)

A few snaps of the BMX/Skatepark and Petanque area.

Photo update (2nd February 2017)

A snap of the BMX/Skatepark as it nears completion.

Photo updates (18th February 2017)

The BMX and skate park is now open!

Glad I got a BMX for Christmas

You can see the petanque terrain below.

On a related theme, we also recently found out that Alexandra Park was once home to a Crazy Golf course!

Related blog posts:
- Petanque
- Stockport

Links:
- Woodstock Petanque Club
- Alexandra Skatepark Association
- The Friends of Alexandra Park
- Alexandra Park

Scarface's shooting gallery in Blackpool

While visiting Blackpool in October we spotted Scarface's shooting shack was still in the amusement arcade on the South Pier and had to give it a play. Just like in 2008.

We also spotted a new sign on the shooting gallery wall!

Glorified Ham n Eggs!

Related blog posts:
- Shooting Shack
- Amusement Arcades
- Blackpool

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Golf Bar Leeds

A visit to the indoor Golf simulator at Golf Bar Leeds.

While in Leeds we swung by the Golf Bar near the canal and train station. It looks like a nice venue and we received a nice welcome from the team there.

You can find Golf Bar Leeds at 1 Little Neville Street, Granary Wharf

There are three bays to play Golf at the bar in Leeds

A few years ago we had a fun Christmas 'Do' at an indoor golf simulator in London.

Check out the Golf Bar's website for more information, opening times and prices.

Related blog posts:
- Leeds

Botanic Gardens Crazy Golf in Southport

A visit to the Crazy Golf course in Southport's Botanic Gardens.

The last time we arrived home from Southport we noticed that we'd missed out on visiting another Crazy Golf course. The layout is in the Botanic Gardens and is the sister site to the course in Hesketh Park and they do look very much alike.

Unfortunately we weren't able to have a game on the course as it was closed for the season.

The Lucky Last Hole. I won a free game card when I played at Hesketh Park. It's valid at the Botanic Gardens course too

The Botanic Gardens Crazy Golf course was the 717th course we've visited overall and the 691st visited in the UK.

This way to the Crazy Golf

We very much enjoyed our stroll around the Botanic Gardens and lake. There was lots of wildlife and some hidden tunnels dotted around too. It's well worth a visit.

A Miniature Train Ride was also mentioned on the signs in the park. We couldn't see it though

Related blog posts:
- Mini Golf course at Hesketh Park in Southport
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- Southport

Video:
- Crazy Golf course at Southport's Botanic Gardens

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Junkyard Golf in Manchester

A visit to the Junkyard Crazy Golf course in Piccadilly Place, Manchester.

While on a recent trip to Manchester I managed to pop along to the new Junkyard Golf courses in Piccadilly Place. They look marvellous.

A classic seaside hazard

Always nice to see a volcano on a Crazy Golf course

The last time I putted into a bathtub was while playing The Crazy Golf Machine in the Crazy Golf Museum!

I'm a BIG fan of minigolf sharks

What is more appealing than a WARNING TOXIC WASTE sign. A perfect addition to the ludicrously crazy minigolf course at Junkyard Golf

Check out the Junkyard Golf website for more details on the Manchester and London courses. We've heard good things about the FOUR London courses the team at Junkyard Golf have created too.

Emily and I are looking forward to having a game on the two layouts as part of our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour soon.

We've now visited 693 courses in the UK and 26 overseas. One of those courses was in the very same spot as Junkyard Golf. Back in 2012 there was a Christmas-themed Crazy Golf course set-up for six weeks. That course was the 313th played. I also won the Chrizy Golf Masters tournament there during that visit!

Links:
- Junkyard Golf
- Junkyard Golf Manchester

Related blog posts:
- Playing Junkyard Golf in Manchester
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- Manchester

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The Dull Men's Club 2017 Calendar at the Calendar Club

The Dull Men's Club Calendar for 2017 is available to buy now.

While having a wander around Manchester I popped into the Calendar Club shop to see if they had any of the Dull Men's Club Calendars in stock. They did, the first ones I've seen on the shelf.

The Dull Men's Club Calendar 2017

Mr July putting on the windmill hole at Skegness Crazy Golf

For a number of years the Dull Men's Club has published a calendar to help people mark how they're celebrating the ordinary throughout the year. As longstanding members of the Dull Men's Club, Emily and I were selected to appear in the 2017 edition of the calendar for our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

A dull pin up

The Dull Men's Club 2017 Calendar also features a pencil enthusiast, cutlery sculptor, tombstone traveller, prefabricated buildings fan, lost glove spotter, a bubbleologist, giant pumpkin growers, a barbed wire enthusiast, a brown sign follower, village pump spotter, a vintage radio collector, and a couple who built a life-size railway station in their back garden.

The calendar costs £9.99 and can be bought from the Calendar Club shops (although I haven't seen it in the Stockport branch, yet) and online.

For more information check out the blog post about the Dull Men's Club Calendar launch.

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WMF World Minigolf Rankings update

The World Minigolf Sport Federation has updated the World Rankings and Emily and I are ranked in the General Class (Adult) lists for elite tournament players.

International minigolfers

Emily is ranked 102nd in the Women's ranking list, while I am 408th in the Men's list.

Emily playing hole 1 on her way to a British Women's Record Round of 24(-12) on the Eternit format of Miniature Golf at the WMF Nations Cup 2011 in Stockholm, Sweden

In the Women's World Ranking List Emily is the sole British female representative listed and is in tied 102nd place (109 players total) alongside Erika Benka (HUN), Anja Derks (NED), Asta Korpi (FIN), Ana Lopes (POR), Tänia Monteiro (POR), Amara Silva (POR) and Nathamon Tayutivuthikul (THA).

Richard in action at the Nations Cup in Tampere, Finland

In the Men's World Ranking List I am in tied 408th place (424 players total) alongside Mislav Bjazic (CRO), Joao Caravana (POR), Miguel Angel Hernandez (ESP), J. Hinojosa De Torres-Peralta (ESP), Erik Hjalmarsson (SWE), Arton Krasniqi (KOS), Pawel Larus (POL), Hugo Madera (ESP), Sabri Maloku (KOS), Santiago Paramo (ESP), Jawaharlal Purohit (IND), Jose Maria Rivera Cadierno (ESP), Juan Pablo Ruano De Fruto (ESP), Petri Saukko (FIN), Craig Small (GBR) and Lavdim Zylfiu (KOS).

Great Britain is ranked 13th of 30 countries in the Nations rankings. Fourteen GB players (13 men and one woman) contributed to the ranking.

For the full international ranking lists for General Class, Juniors and Seniors please visit the WMF website.

The World Minigolf Sport Federation is the umbrella organisation of 62 Minigolf sports associations worldwide with continental associations in Africa, America, Asia, Europe and Oceania. There are more than 38,000 competitive minigolf players registered with the WMF via the 62 member nations, with 900-plus clubs between them. Over 1,000 courses are approved for official competitions and over 1,500 minigolf tournaments are held each year.

The WMF is gaining further recognition on the global stage all the time. As a member of SportAccord and an organisation called AIMS (the Alliance of Independent Members of SportAccord) the WMF's next goal is to achieve International Olympic Committee recognition.

Apart from the March 2011 list Emily and I have been in the sport's international rankings since November 2008 following our debut for the Great Britain team at that year's Nations Cup championships in Tampere, Finland.

The Great Britain Minigolf Sport Team is sponsored by UrbanCrazy, suppliers of permanent and portable mini and crazy golf courses.

Links:
- World Minigolf Sport Federation
- Minigolfnews

Related blog posts:
- Richard Gottfried player profile
- Emily Gottfried player profile
- World Minigolf rankings update (December 2015)

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. Please do sign-up to receive our miniature golf newsletter too.

100% gluten free places in the UK

There are 100% gluten free places to eat in the UK.

As someone living with Coeliac Disease I am extremely careful about what I eat and drink. Since I was diagnosed in 2008 I haven't knowlingly consumed anything containing gluten. However, I have been 'glutened' while dining out and the effects can be horrific and long lasting. So, I'm always looking for safe and suitable 100% gluten free places to eat at while travelling around the UK.

Before diagnosis I was a very adventurous diner and willing to try all manner of food and drink. Emily and I would enjoy visiting lots of different restaurants and takeaways. Nowadays Emily either dines while I watch, or has to wait to visit a place with friends or family to give it a try.

An incredibly rare sighting of us both dining out at the same time

At one of our last meals out together - way back in May - I was glutened. Since then dining out together has been very limited. While dining at home is safe and we do cook up some magnificent food (and great cocktails), we do miss having the whole meal experience. I am now looking to eat at places that are 100% gluten free and safe for Coeliacs. If it's not, I'll vote with my wallet and go elsewhere (or go hungry).

With my approach to tackling the problem of dining out safely I was incredibly pleased when fellow Coeliac and writer Caroline at the Coeliac Plate website let me know about a series of lists she has put together detailing the 100% gluten free places in the UK! It's absolutely marvellous to see.

One of my favourite places to eat is at 2 Oxford Place in Leeds. The fact that the restaurant is 100% gluten free and safe for Coeliacs is a real weight off the mind. To be able to visit a restaurant and not be on edge from the start is great. On the occasions I've dined there it's been brilliant. Just little things like NOT having to explain to the waiting staff that I have a medical condition before ordering, or asking to see a 'special' menu, makes a BIG difference.

When dining in a 'normal' restaurant that is trying to offer gluten free options cross contamination is possible. If eating there I can spend the whole time worrying about what could've happened to the meal I'm about to eat/am eating/have eaten. It doesn't make for a very pleasant or 'normal' experience and can often feel like the money has been wasted.

So do check out the Coeliac Plate website for more information and the links below for the 100% gluten free lists.

- UK 100% gluten free venues
- UK 100% gluten free – Northern England

Caroline tweeted me about her lists after I'd posted a tweet to fellow gluten free blogger Katie Bucknell asking about gluten free places in Manchester. Katie provided some good tips. Check out her website too.

Related blog posts:
- Gluten free
- Coeliac

Links:
- The Coeliac Plate website
- Katie Bucknell's website

Arnold Palmer Starr Gate Crazy Golf in Blackpool

A revisit to the Arnold Palmer Crazy Golf course in Blackpool.

It's always a real shame to find a once thriving Crazy Golf course that has been abandoned. Unfortunately that's exactly what we found on a recent trip to Blackpool.

What remains of the course has become quite overgrown in places

The Arnold Palmer Putting Course next to the tram terminus at Starr Gate was a great course. Luckily we managed to play it on our visit to the seaside resort in April 2008.

The course at the end of the tram line at the south end of the town

Sadly the course closed earlier this year and all of the obstacles have been removed. Although the bases and borders of the holes remain.

The GOLF OPEN lettering at the entrance is certainly redundant now

The 18-hole course was the 45th course visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Emily playing the course in 2008

Check out the video, and others in the links below, to see more of the course.

Arnold Palmer Putting Courses are a classic part of the British seaside and it's dreadful to see them either left in this state or worse. Another Arnold Palmer Putting Course to be demolished this year was the layout in Exmouth. We got to visit that course as part of our tour of the south west coast of England in the summer of 2015. Sadly, the two Arnold Palmer courses in Great Yarmouth have also been removed in recent years and been replaced by one Adventure Golf course. While the two courses in Cliftonville, Margate were closed a couple of years ago. The course that was once in Folkestone is no longer playable - as it was used to make an art installation.

The Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Skegness still has an old scorecard in use. It lists many of the Arnold Palmer courses that are long gone. A great bit of minigolf history. Of the Arnold Palmer Putting courses listed on the reverse of the scorecard we've visited Camber Sands (now demolished), Mablethorpe (now Pirate themed), Southend (one of the two courses still exists), Tynemouth (demolished), Cleethorpes, Canvey Island (9 of the original 18-holes remain), Great Yarmouth (replaced by an Adventure Golf), Hastings (home of the World Crazy Golf Championships) and Margate (part demolished in 2014)

It's not all doom and gloom though, as you can still find examples of the Arnold Palmer Crazy Golf courses - in varying conditions - in Hastings, Prestatyn, Skegness, Whitby, Southport, Southend-on-Sea, Mablethorpe (Golden Sands), Mablethorpe (Hooks Island), Broadstairs, Gorleston-on-Sea, Canvey Island, Weston-Super-Mare, Caister-on-Sea, Cleethorpes, and Bognor Regis.

There is also a new type of Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Shanklin on the Isle of Wight. Formerly a Beton-style of Miniature Golf, it received a refurbishment a few years ago and is now an oversized version of many of the courses listed above!

Related blog posts:
- Blackpool
- Arnold Palmer
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- From the archives...Arnold Palmer Starr Gate Crazy Golf in Blackpool (April 2008)

Videos:
- Crazy Golf course at Starr Gate, Blackpool October 2016 1 of 5
- Crazy Golf course at Starr Gate, Blackpool October 2016 2 of 5
- Crazy Golf course at Starr Gate, Blackpool October 2016 3 of 5
- Crazy Golf course at Starr Gate, Blackpool October 2016 4 of 5
- Crazy Golf course at Starr Gate, Blackpool October 2016 5 of 5

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A Crazy Golfing quest - Golf Punk feature

Check out the Golf Punk website for a feature on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

At Southend Pier's Crazy Golf course earlier this year

We've now visited 690 miniature golf courses in the UK, and 26 overseas. It won't be too long until we reach our next 700th course visit!

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. Please do sign-up to receive our miniature golf newsletter too.