Beginnings

After some 38 or so years spent searching out what many call tat, cack and rammel I decided it was time to share some of my experiences with anyone who cared.

Having spent quite alot of time with Vera & Bill (grandparents) and listened to their war stories I had a fair idea about make do and mend, I think I was the only kid in England who's Action Man had a wooden foot!( lovingly created by Bill and painted in 'pit orange' gloss paint).

Because of their experiences of life I quickly picked up skills in fixing and making things, it didn't take long for me to start collecting 'stuff ', anything would do as it was all precious to me and the older the better, after all it would all be useful eventually in fixing something or other!
This was in the early 1970's and anyone who remembers that time knows cash wasn't exactly plentiful certainly not in a Northern pit village!

I began mending toys, mainly toy soldiers (Britains et al) and repainting them, this progressed to bicycles and motorcycles and anything mechanical, then marriage and children came along and I was really strapped for cash so fixing things was even more useful, it provided cheap entertainment for me and stuff for the house and it's ever growing occupants.

In short I became a collector or hoarder as it has become known, clocks, wrist and pocket watches, optical instruments, militaria, antique and vintage furniture (CC41 utility type mainly), laterly more and more vintage and retro clothing has begun filling my wardrobes.

I hope to share my finds and restorations with half decent photos, it may be a slow start as I have absolutely no idea about blogging whatsoever, no idea what gadgets are and little idea of uploading photo's, bear with me and hopefully I may have something of interest soon-ish?...  

 

here's one of my favourite items an early 1930's Raleigh sports/ light roadster fitted with dropped handlebars which were available as an optional extra, it's been retro-fitted with a later Sturmey Archer 3 speed hub.

It