Birketts of Lincoln - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Wendymott · 13th Jul 2019, 9:15 pm

Hi Mod.. I hope this is allowed..I have NO commercial interest what so ever.
Today Sat 13th, I visited the great city of Lincoln..First port of call was my old dear friend John Birkett. It was 6 years since I last visited the shop, when I bought an Eddy 870.
As I had had no contact I was unsure if JB was still with us..however on entering the shop, I was pleasantly surprised to see JB sitting in his chair over seeing proceedings.
After the usual niceties and chit chat, I asked if I was permitted to take some general photo's around the shop to which he agreed, and said I could post them on the forum, as lots of forum members would be interested.
John is now of an age that many would strive to....but his health is waning, but the mind is still as sharp as I remember.
Although he remains open the radio stuff is much diminished and a lot of the stock is military aircraft parts. As I was chatting a lady came in with a request for ANYTHING Vulcan... she went away with an altimeter for her hubby..so to all that have met John in the past, this is a small update to say he is still in business, if anyone wants a Vulcan Altimeter he's your man.

chriswood1900 · 13th Jul 2019, 9:24 pm

Wendy
Thanks for the update, it is god to hear he is still getting along, it has been about 2 years since I was last there stocking up on wander plugs and a few other items.
Chris

Boulevardier · 13th Jul 2019, 10:35 pm

Me too. It's at least 45 years since I was in there, but was always a great shop. Good to hear that some of these places are still hanging on (and I assume it's for love of the business and the type of customers who come in, not for the money!).

Mike

Paul_RK · 13th Jul 2019, 11:30 pm

I've not visited Lincoln since we moved from there some 31 years ago, maybe it's time I did now we're a little nearer than we were. Still have an SX28 I bought from Birketts way back when.

Paul

Wendymott · 14th Jul 2019, 12:46 pm

The last photo shows a range of Head sets from Military aircraft..very reasonably priced...with an assortment of Jack plugs.. None of this "modern"stuff.

pastyboy · 14th Jul 2019, 1:04 pm

was there a couple of years ago as SWMBO comes from Lincoln, wanted to see if he had any TV spares but sadly no. Used to buy lots of nice cheap RF power transistors from JB in the mid 90's. Anyone remember Brian Bamber of Bamber surplus Ely and Frank Mozer of Edmonton ? both great surplus outlets.

Aub · 14th Jul 2019, 8:56 pm

Thanks for the post Wendy.

David Simpson · 15th Jul 2019, 9:44 am

Does John's son & daughter in law - Ivana still run the technical literature site ?
Some years back I acquired a PTR175 + its giant 800 page AP from a chap who had originally bought them from Birketts. I later donated them to the "963" Shackleton project at Coventry Airfield.
I reckon that Birketts have touched many Forum/ BVWS/ VMARS folk over the years, one way or another.

Regards, David

mole42uk · 15th Jul 2019, 10:01 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Simpson

I reckon that Birketts have touched many Forum/ BVWS/ VMARS folk over the years, one way or another.

Regards, David

How true.

GrimJosef · 15th Jul 2019, 10:21 am

True indeed. Brought up in Lincolnshire, I bought a 19 set from John's shop as a lad in the early 70's and heaved it back to Boston on the train ! Much more recently I bought the CT160 I now use from John's stall at the NVCF - he said he'd been using it for a long time but he wouldn't be needing it any more ...

Cheers,

GJ

Peter.N. · 15th Jul 2019, 1:53 pm

Not many shops like that left now. Never met John but I'm pretty sure I sent him some of my pocket money in my youth and eagerly awaited the arrival of the parcel.

J E Annakin was another one I sent my savings too.

Peter

Wendymott · 15th Jul 2019, 2:28 pm

Peter N.. Jack Annakin was my friend and mentor for many years.. he was a staunch member of Otley Radio Society.. I met Jack when I was at school... prior to ORS.
I bought from him his 22 valve stereo audio pre amp for....... £2... yes £2.... then later, after he developed his solid state class "A" power amp, his Valve power amp with 4 x KT66's with all power supplies. All the audio was run with DC heaters to minimise hum. The word "audiophools" could NEVER be aimed at JE, as he developed and made all his own. RIP Jack. Gone but NEVER forgotten.

13th Jul 2019, 9:15 pm	#1
Wendymott Octode Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,795	Birketts of Lincoln Hi Mod.. I hope this is allowed..I have NO commercial interest what so ever. Today Sat 13th, I visited the great city of Lincoln..First port of call was my old dear friend John Birkett. It was 6 years since I last visited the shop, when I bought an Eddy 870. As I had had no contact I was unsure if JB was still with us..however on entering the shop, I was pleasantly surprised to see JB sitting in his chair over seeing proceedings. After the usual niceties and chit chat, I asked if I was permitted to take some general photo's around the shop to which he agreed, and said I could post them on the forum, as lots of forum members would be interested. John is now of an age that many would strive to....but his health is waning, but the mind is still as sharp as I remember. Although he remains open the radio stuff is much diminished and a lot of the stock is military aircraft parts. As I was chatting a lady came in with a request for ANYTHING Vulcan... she went away with an altimeter for her hubby..so to all that have met John in the past, this is a small update to say he is still in business, if anyone wants a Vulcan Altimeter he's your man. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Should get out more. Regards Wendy G8BZY

13th Jul 2019, 9:24 pm	#2
chriswood1900 Octode Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Dorridge, West Midlands, UK. Posts: 1,482	Re: Birketts of Lincoln Wendy Thanks for the update, it is god to hear he is still getting along, it has been about 2 years since I was last there stocking up on wander plugs and a few other items. Chris

13th Jul 2019, 10:35 pm	#3
Boulevardier Octode Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 1,654	Re: Birketts of Lincoln Me too. It's at least 45 years since I was in there, but was always a great shop. Good to hear that some of these places are still hanging on (and I assume it's for love of the business and the type of customers who come in, not for the money!). Mike

13th Jul 2019, 11:30 pm	#4
Paul_RK Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Fakenham, Norfolk, UK. Posts: 4,255	Re: Birketts of Lincoln I've not visited Lincoln since we moved from there some 31 years ago, maybe it's time I did now we're a little nearer than we were. Still have an SX28 I bought from Birketts way back when. Paul

14th Jul 2019, 12:46 pm	#5
Wendymott Octode Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,795	Re: Birketts of Lincoln The last photo shows a range of Head sets from Military aircraft..very reasonably priced...with an assortment of Jack plugs.. None of this "modern"stuff. __________________ Should get out more. Regards Wendy G8BZY

14th Jul 2019, 1:04 pm	#6
pastyboy Hexode Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 270	Re: Birketts of Lincoln was there a couple of years ago as SWMBO comes from Lincoln, wanted to see if he had any TV spares but sadly no. Used to buy lots of nice cheap RF power transistors from JB in the mid 90's. Anyone remember Brian Bamber of Bamber surplus Ely and Frank Mozer of Edmonton ? both great surplus outlets. __________________ I'm a callins, get me outta here ! (I am also an erie but it's my day off)

14th Jul 2019, 8:56 pm	#7
Aub Nonode Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Nuneaton, Warwickshire, UK. Posts: 2,039	Re: Birketts of Lincoln Thanks for the post Wendy. __________________ Life's a long song, but the tune ends too soon for us all.

15th Jul 2019, 9:44 am	#8
David Simpson Nonode Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Aberdeen, UK. Posts: 2,853	Re: Birketts of Lincoln Does John's son & daughter in law - Ivana still run the technical literature site ? Some years back I acquired a PTR175 + its giant 800 page AP from a chap who had originally bought them from Birketts. I later donated them to the "963" Shackleton project at Coventry Airfield. I reckon that Birketts have touched many Forum/ BVWS/ VMARS folk over the years, one way or another. Regards, David

15th Jul 2019, 10:21 am	#10
GrimJosef Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Oxfordshire, UK. Posts: 4,311	Re: Birketts of Lincoln True indeed. Brought up in Lincolnshire, I bought a 19 set from John's shop as a lad in the early 70's and heaved it back to Boston on the train ! Much more recently I bought the CT160 I now use from John's stall at the NVCF - he said he'd been using it for a long time but he wouldn't be needing it any more ... Cheers, GJ __________________ http://www.ampregen.com

15th Jul 2019, 1:53 pm	#11
Peter.N. Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Charmouth, Dorset, UK. Posts: 3,601	Re: Birketts of Lincoln Not many shops like that left now. Never met John but I'm pretty sure I sent him some of my pocket money in my youth and eagerly awaited the arrival of the parcel. J E Annakin was another one I sent my savings too. Peter

15th Jul 2019, 2:28 pm	#12
Wendymott Octode Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,795	Re: Birketts of Lincoln Peter N.. Jack Annakin was my friend and mentor for many years.. he was a staunch member of Otley Radio Society.. I met Jack when I was at school... prior to ORS. I bought from him his 22 valve stereo audio pre amp for....... £2... yes £2.... then later, after he developed his solid state class "A" power amp, his Valve power amp with 4 x KT66's with all power supplies. All the audio was run with DC heaters to minimise hum. The word "audiophools" could NEVER be aimed at JE, as he developed and made all his own. RIP Jack. Gone but NEVER forgotten. __________________ Should get out more. Regards Wendy G8BZY