Museums

[alfatangowhisky]

Going back to our Dalbeattie Museum; some nice stuff in the window display right now (however because of the season I don't think they are open yet)

[alfatangowhisky]

Actually, it is now open !!

[Aub]

Saw some interesting sets on display.

Aub

[ortek_service]

Originally Posted by Paul Stenning

There is a temporary exhibition "BBC 100 in Wales" at the National Museum Cardiff until 16th April.

https://museum.wales/cardiff/whatson...-100-in-Wales/

I am planning on visiting in the next couple of weeks and will offer photos for inclusion in the BVWS Bulletin.

Originally Posted by cathoderay57

I've just visited the Beeb 100 exhibition that Paul mentioned. Fairly small, but very well done. Hardware highlights include an Ekco SH25, McMichael Motor-tuned Nine, McMichael Rotorbar set, 3 early sets including a Marconi V2, and a Defiant telly. Jerry

Thanks for the information about this event, which I also managed to visit whilst going to Cardiff last Saturday - the day before it was due to end (once I found the correct Museum in Cardiff! - as I initially went into the one amongst the shops). And found it was mostly ordered in decades - although strangely in an anti-clockwise direction, so ended up going round backwards.

It was mostly about the more well-known TV (and some radio) programmes (often Children's ones from the past) - particularly those with links to Wales (Inc. the classic Ivor the Engine set in Wales - even though it was 'filmed' at Oliver Postgate's home in England), with props & merchanise from these - and publicity for the last Coronation (which was said to have boosted TV sales)
And I did wonder if the Tardis & Dalek were originals (I think Bagpuss etc was as it was mentioned were on loan from creators) or replicas for the event.

As well as quite a few vintage TV / Radio receivers, there was a bit of vintage broadcast technology, like an old TV studio Camera & control desk.

[Paul_RK]

Fakenham's Gas Museum has just re-opened for the season, 10am-1pm every Thursday and Friday until October: England's only preserved town gasworks, with all parts open to view, and a very extensive collection of vintage domestic appliances and lighting. If you're lucky a knowledgeable former gas engineer may be on hand to introduce the various stages of producing and cleaning town gas, if you're not so lucky it may be me. Sadly no Milnes HT unit yet, so no excuse for getting a 1930s radio in there...

https://fakenhamgasmuseum.com/

Paul

[Paul Stenning]

Originally Posted by ortek_service

And I did wonder if the Tardis & Dalek were originals (I think Bagpuss etc was as it was mentioned were on loan from creators) or replicas for the event.

I think there were a lot of replicas and mock-ups. There were also some obviously incorrect items such as the Roberts Revival radio on the cabinet in the 70s/80s lounge setting. And let's not mention those awful mock-up working console televisions in your first photo with flat panel displays in plywood cabinets!

The exhibition was very much about nostalgia for the general public (and good BBC publicity). Historical accuracy of exhibits, especially those just for scene-setting, doesn't seem to have been a priority. From comments on Facebook etc it was well received and enjoyed by the majority of visitors so it had the desired effect.

[Catkins]

Originally Posted by Paul Stenning

I think there were a lot of replicas and mock-ups. There were also some obviously incorrect items such as the Roberts Revival radio on the cabinet in the 70s/80s lounge setting. And let's not mention those awful mock-up working console televisions in your first photo with flat panel displays in plywood cabinets!

We (twin and myself) went there on Good Friday and as expected it was very busy, but it looked to be enjoyed and well received.

I have more photos of the exhibits if anyone's interested. Also according to the museum website the exhibition has been extended to 3 September 2023. See https://museum.wales/cardiff/whatson...-100-in-Wales/

[Paul Stenning]

That's good, more chance for people to visit it, including through the school summer holidays. It must be successful and popular.

Some of my photos will be in the next BVWS Bulletin (I have just emailed Alex about the extended date, hopefully he can update it before it goes to print).

Maybe we should have a separate thread here for this specific exhibition to share our photos etc, especially as there is time for more people to visit.

[stevehertz]

Having previously been there in the 90s and then about three years ago we thought we'd go again today. It's a fantastic site with old stuff to interest anyone, the recreated streets are just amazing, garages, vintage cars, motorbikes, fish & chip shop (sells real chips!), general stores, butchers, chemist etc etc. In the thirties street there is a radio shop called Griptons, and in the soon to be opened but partly in view now 40s/50s/60s street there's Stanton's TV & Radio store. Well worth a visit, it's at Tipton nearly Dudley not far away from Birmingham.

[stevehertz]

And here's Stanton's:

[G.Castle]

Thanks for posting this! I've had several recommendations but I think this could be the decider! They also have a very fair ticket policy I'm told?

[G.Castle]

Although in the last pictures I do note an ambassador label on an EverReady SkyKing and also an HMV label on an ER model K

Don't shoot the pedant!...

[greg_simons]

Looks good, could be dusting down my black country accent and paying a visit, Stantons electrical as i remember them were located in castle street during the sixties, complete with listening booths to try out your favourite 45rpm disc before purchase.
Greg.

[agardiner]

Wow. Thanks for posting about this Steve. I never knew of its existence. Looks like a fantastic place to visit.

[Phil G4SPZ]

Thanks for the nice review in posts #169 & 170, Steve! I’m sorry I missed you as I was ‘working’ there all day yesterday. I would have been in the radio workshop behind Gripton’s, which you may have missed. Stanton’s officially opens to visitors on Saturday July 8th, along with five other ‘new’ buildings along the 1950s street. The window displays are still being fine-tuned, and I will point out the labelling errors to the Curators next week.

The Museum’s ticketing policy is indeed very fair - pay once, visit an unlimited number of times over the next twelve months. If anyone is planning a weekday visit, I am there on Tuesdays in my role as volunteer radio engineer and horologist - drop me a PM and I’ll buy you a cuppa!

More new shops will be opening over the coming months, one such being Langer’s Army & Navy Stores, originally in Wollaston. I remember this shop well, especially as a schoolboy rummaging through piles of ex-WD wireless equipment in the back room. In fact the Museum is still on the lookout for ex-military wireless ‘junk’ to display in Langer’s. It needn’t work, just look reasonably ex-services. An opportunity to offload that boatanchor that’s been cluttering up your workshop for decades awaiting restoration, perhaps?

I’ve nothing suitable myself, but the bulk of the radios in the window display were donated from my collection, as well as several hundred of the 78s that now fill the record shelves.

[stevehertz]

What a shame Phil, it would have been great to meet up and have a cuppa or even a pint in the Elephant and Castle there. Congratulations and well done for taking on your role there. If only I'd known!

[Phil G4SPZ]

Steve, you have a PM.

[chriswood1900]

There was an item on today's 1 'o' clock news showing the recreation of a typical high street from the 1940's to 60's. Based on a street in Dudley it includes a newsagent and a TV shop called Stantons.
It is based in the Black country museum so one for a visit with the grandchildren in the holidays.

More here:-

https://bclm.com/support/forging-ahead/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-englan...ngham-66063267

[Peter.N.]

At 'Beamish' museum last year I saw in the newly constructed '1950s town' in one of the miners cottages, a Bush 14" Bakelite TV of a type I remembering delivering new back in the day.

Peter

[Aub]

We took the grandson to this place today. There's a nice little museum there. I've attached some pictures of the old radios, etc and also train set. Sorry for the reflections.

Cheers

Aub

http://heritage-centre.co.uk/visit-us/heritage-centre/