There’s a news article on the BBC about a sculpture that has been erected near Flint Castle. The piece focuses on the opinion clashes that have been generated about the appropriateness of it. The ring of iron is seen by some as celebrating the subjugation of the Welsh by the English…and perhaps not politically correct.

An official in Cadw, Wales responded with the statement "art divides opinions, encourages debate, and can be interpreted in many ways".

And that brings me on to my interpretation. I took one look at the photo and thought “giant toilet seat”, one of the soft close type things that hasn’t finished its closure routine.

Arguably a bit shit and even less politically correct. Does the ring of iron symbolise the English taking a big dump on the Welsh?

Is it just me? Does anyone else see it?

I’ll drop my buddy Hughesy a line to discuss. He’s a Welshman and bound to have an opinion on the rusty ring piece.

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www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-40703954

Last weekend was all about racing. On Saturday 15th July, I went to the Welton Soapbox Derby…again. Regular readers will appreciate that since the annual event was rebooted in 2014, I have been every year (previous reviews available below – read them if you can because it saves me writing the same things again).

I arrived in Welton around Midday and mooched around with my camera for a couple of hours. For your enjoyment, 
I share some of my photos below. 

The colour, the crowds and the chaos make the derby exciting and well worth attending but for me, the biggest appeal of the event is the creativity. Some of the soapboxes were just brilliant - imaginative, humorous and, but not always, well-constructed. 

The White Horse pub, a model of the Welton boozer (steered with the walking stick), the Star Wars X-Wing fighter and Toothless the dragon were superb - the thought and attention to detail, amazing. Another contraption, shown below, was a more traditional, simple, timber framed design that saw the driver operating the steering with his feet. Bearing in mind that some of the racers were hitting 30mph, the chap was rather brave to have a go in this one. It must be so much harder to manage the subtle directional changes with your feet instead of your hands – the crash helmet very sensible. 

The format followed that set in previous years, in fact some of the rides/riders were the same. With these things in mind, finding new angles for the write-up is getting more challenging. But I’ll have a go anyway.

I was chatting to one of the event crew at the Hollowell Steam Fair a few weeks before and learnt some interesting stuff. 

• Like Glastonbury, it turns out that you need to book your slot early if you want to participate in the racing. This year’s entry process closed long in advance of the derby.
• The technology to support the event, broadcast, sound, speed measurement etc. is getting more and more sophisticated. You never know, maybe it will end up being televised before long.
• Entrants had come from as far afield as the Isle of Wight. I can only presume that the crews that were prepared to travel that kind of distance must have been the ones that rocked up with the most professionally presented and fabricated racing machines. You are going to want to win if you are going to go to all the expense of travelling so far.

Racing to win brings me on to the British Grand Prix which took place at Silverstone last weekend. Lewis Hamilton turned up to win and did so in emphatic style. On Sunday 16th, I watched the race on the telly and was gripped by it, especially towards the end. Vettel’s tyre shredding was just the ticket for livening up the drivers’ championship again, only one point separating Vettel and Hamilton.  The rest of the 2017 season is going to be exciting.

Come on Lewis!

Click on any image to enlarge. Higher resolution images available, just get in touch if you'd like one.  

2014 http://www.adrianbaldwin.net/blog/derring-do-danger-design-and-descent-at-derby
2015 http://www.adrianbaldwin.net/blog/the-2015-welton-soapbox-derby
2016 http://www.adrianbaldwin.net/blog/the-2016-welton-soapbox-derby-a-review

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Dear Reader,

I did something stupid today that made me laugh and others laugh at me. I thought I’d share my Friday f—k up.

Most mornings end up being a bit of a rush as I try to get my daughter to school on time and then, more importantly, myself to work on time. Today was no different because, once again, Little Miss Baldwin was determined to finish watching her TV program before getting her shoes on. Grrrrrrrrr.

Though it’s getting my shoes on that is the subject of this post…

…but not exactly.

After I had deposited Offspring2 at school, I got on with my journey to work. I heard the M1 was problematic so decided to drive through Northampton and then about a dozen villages before arriving in Newport Pagnell.

It was during the run down the A428 that I realised I was wearing my Crocs instead of my shoes.

Doh!

My Crocs live by the back door because they are perfect for nipping in and out of the garden. This morning I put them on to load up the car and then forgot to exchange them for my shoes.

The only saving grace is that Friday is dress down day in my office.

It could be perceived that I meant to…

…almost.

Whilst I looked a bit silly in Crocs, they looked less silly with jeans than they would have done if I had been wearing my suit.

Sartorially inelegantly yours,

Ade

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I read this article on the BBC and couldn’t resist a blog post.

 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-40645716

Why not follow the link now and have a giggle.

Some former officers from South Yorkshire Police are being prosecuted for using a force helicopter to film naked folk from the sky – the charges are multiple counts of misconduct in a public office.
​
In one instance, the coppers filmed a couple enjoying sexual intercourse in their back garden, the naked women even taking time to wave at the chaps and their big chopper. I’ll admit I read the news article and laughed out loud.

I find myself not exactly feeling the sense of outrage that is being expressed in other environments. Instead I think it’s all rather funny. To be completely inappropriate, how many 40-plus year old blokes wouldn’t enjoy a bit of public funded voyeurism if there was scope for it? How many blokes wouldn’t be happy enough to wave at a passing police helicopter (and then fail to complain when approached by the authorities) if they could just get their wives/partners to have sex with them in their back gardens (or just have sex with them at all)?

The officers are all about my age or thereabouts and have wrecked their careers is a very public and humiliating kind of way but I feel more sorry for them than cross. Busted by their buddies is going to hurt. Some harmless fun (depending upon one’s perspective) has proved to be anything but. If only they’d had jobs in airport security instead, they could have seen people naked in scanners every day without any such charge.

Still the bonking bobby got off of a more serious charge, so maybe these chaps have some hope. The trial may end up being a waste of more public money. Three weeks until it’s over, I’ll be paying attention to the outcome.

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http://www.adrianbaldwin.net/blog/bonking-bobby-in-full-control-of-his-weapon-during-tea-break

Update: 04/08/17
The public sector voyeurs got away with it, they have been cleared of public misconduct. In effect, the guy that already confessed took the fall for everyone – the other defendants claimed they didn’t know that what they were watching from their chopper was being filmed…

Hilarious. 

But what a complete waste of public funds!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-40830133

Last Sunday, I went to the VBOA National Rally at the showground in Market Harborough. This year’s event was the first time since 1997 that the VBOA had organised the event anywhere other than Billing Aquadrome. 

Ever since the announcement that the event would be elsewhere, I have referred to the rally as “Not Billing” with all those I have communicated with.  

The format of the event was in line with previous years in that the car clubs had their own display environments, there was a show ring and there were areas for the food/drink sellers, the autojumblers and the fairground type attractions.

As a 20-plus year attendee of the National Rally (previous reviews available), I am absolutely committed to this event. As far as I am concerned, the more compelling it is, the more cars that are shown, the greater the number of visitors, the better. 

But this year was just not as good - it appeared to me that there were fewer vehicles on display than in previous years, fewer autojumblers selling their wares and fewer visitors. This year was the first I walked away from the autojumble without buying anything.

I share my feedback not to criticise but instead to make suggestions/be constructive regarding improvements that would secure the rally/the new location into the future.

In terms of location, whilst I was relieved that somewhere in the same (ish) kind of geographic proximity was found (because I might not have been able to attend otherwise), the new venue introduced a challenge immediately. The postcode allocated for it was not correct, at least in terms of my SatNav mapping.

Arriving at a random retail/industrial park was clear evidence that something wasn’t right. In the end, I found the rally because I got lucky and happened to drive off in the right direction.  After a few miles, I turned back towards Market Harborough, spotted a VBOA pennant attached to a sign post and then a short while later could see the event from the road. Other potential visitors may of course have given up.

I understand that the Market Harborough Showground is a relatively new development and that to date only a handful of events have been held there. The reality is that the signposting/infrastructure/facilities leave a lot to be desired when compared to Billing (especially for the overnight campers). 

The grounds should have been mown before the show. The grass was too long, always scratching around my feet and ankles and it increased the scope no end for bug bites. 

The car clubs were spread out over too wide an area. There was a massive empty central plot that could have been better utilised to bring the clubs closer together and save all the visitors lots of unnecessary walking.

The £10 cost to drive a car on to the MH site was too high (particularly for cars with just the driver in them…like me) for the quality of the infrastructure. The entry cost should be lower (and levied per person not per vehicle). It cost me the same amount of money to go to the Hollowell Steam Rally and that event was bigger and better in every measurable way. It cost me half the price to go to the AACI Open Summer Nationals at Kelmarsh Hall.

The event plaque, pictured below, was a change to the oblong affair of old, which is good – new location, new look. The oval shape an interesting choice though because to me it echoes Ford (but it might just be me). 

The paragraphs above might seem a bit negative but the feedback is worth sharing because I am hoping that this year's event was/is just the start of something wonderful. Despite the issues, I am certain that the VBOA had to work harder than in previous years because of the logistical changes and I thank the team for its organisational efforts.

Having a new venue was much better than the event being cancelled (which was conceivable when Billing pulled the plug) and I am glad that I went. The sunshine was blazing, I took lots of photographs (some shared for your enjoyment below), chatted to some folks and bought a baseball cap from the DSG (A.K.A. the Droop Snoot Group).
I plan to go again next year too. My summary…

…not Billing, but not bad either.

Click on any image to enlarge. Higher resolution images available, just get in touch if you'd like one.

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Previous Billing articles
2012 http://www.adrianbaldwin.net/annual-vauxhall-pilgrimage-washout.html
2013 http://www.adrianbaldwin.net/vboa-all-car-club-rally-2013.html
2014 http://www.adrianbaldwin.net/blog/that-petrol-emotion
2015​ http://www.adrianbaldwin.net/blog/reflections-from-the-vboa-national-rally-billing-2015
2016 http://www.adrianbaldwin.net/blog/vboa-national-rally-at-billing-aquadrome-july-2016

Other related posts
http://www.adrianbaldwin.net/blog/a-trip-down-memory-lane-pot-holes-and-all
http://www.adrianbaldwin.net/blog/the-droopsnoot-celebrates-its-40th-birthday
http://www.adrianbaldwin.net/vauxhallrsquos-heritage-centre-ndash-a-nostalgic-trip-to-luton.html
http://www.adrianbaldwin.net/blog/a-vauxhall-event-reminder-and-a-billing-plaque-saga-update
http://www.adrianbaldwin.net/the-omoc-comes-through-for-me.html

Third Party Site Links
VBOA
Viva Owners Club
Droop Snoot Group

Last weekend, I went to the Hollowell Steam and Heavy Horse Show, it was so good that I thought I’d write about it. I had only ever been once before and that something like a decade ago - long before this website existed - and so you won’t have read about it on these pages before.

​Since January this year, I happen to live just around the corner from the event and Mrs Baldwin suggested that I pay a visit. She didn’t want to go and neither did the kids, so I went on my own and spent a glorious three to four hours wandering around in the sunshine.

The show was massive, covering hundreds of acres and was so much wider in scope than the event name would suggest. I’d go with with something more akin to a festival of transport because in addition to the traction engines and shire horses, there were classic cars, bicycles, motorbikes, vintage commercial vehicles (trucks, vans, buses), tractors and army vehicles. Even a Hurricane from the Battle of Britain squadron flew over. Magnificent.

And then there were the fairground rides, the stalls/concessions, the animal interactions, the music stages, the camp sites, the car parks, Titan The Robot…and thousands of people. I go to a number of “field” based events every year but this was bigger than anything and by a significant magnitude too. The show was like the Northamptonshire equivalent of Glastonbury or Glorious Goodwood…and it was brilliant.

The cost of entry was a tenner and it was worth every penny. The amount of effort that must get put into organising it is mind boggling. There was something to suit everyone and I am certain that if my wife and children had come along, they’d have found plenty to occupy them. Of course by not coming they gave me the freedom to completely please myself and saved me a chunk of cash into the bargain. I’d have been £30 lighter at the gate and God knows how much down later in terms of food, drink, ice cream, rides and spending money.

I can’t remember the last time I actually saw a full size, road going traction engine, let’s face it they are relics of a bygone age and you’re highly unlikely to see one on your commute to work. At Hollowell, there were a few dozen on display and all operating. They had come from all over the country, were big and impressive and surrounded by a fug of oil, grease, smoke and heat. The smell around the machines was appealing too, like creosote but a bit more barbeque-like. As to the operators, mostly older blokes with flat caps and oily overalls but there were some lady drivers as well.

In addition to the goliaths, there were a significant number of exhibitors with smaller scale traction engines. These things were big/strong enough to pull people around on trailers but small enough to fit in the average garage. Arguably more practical and most likely more affordable. But a bit less dramatic.

When it comes to the full size machines, it clearly takes a certain type of character to own one.  You must need a lot of money and a lot of space – an owner is most probably a wealthy farmer with outbuildings or the proprietor of a haulage company, you’re not going to find one on your average housing estate.  

But the average housing estate could be home to the smallest of the steam powered engines on display (all would fit in a small trailer). There were loads of enthusiasts displaying little engines that didn’t seem to have much purpose other than looking/sounding (think putt-putt) interesting. They probably ran small bits of workshops in the past (pumps, pulleys, belts etc.) but looked rather forlorn and incongruous in isolation. I’ll be frank, I didn’t understand the fascination with these things. For me, it felt like owning a set of alloy wheels but not the classic car to fit them to. But each to their own; I collect all sorts of crap that others wouldn’t appreciate (Mrs Baldwin included).

During the afternoon I walked for miles and took loads of snaps. A number are shared below; one I want to comment upon - the shot of me in a tin helmet holding a Thompson submachine gun with 100 round drum magazine.  This photo was taken for me by a chap on a stall purporting to represent the Northamptonshire Home Guard. There were three British Army (WW2) uninformed chaps running the stall which included a display of various guns (Lee Enfield and other rifles, a Bren Gun, a Sten Gun and two Tommy guns, one with drum magazine and one without), uniform items, ration books, war memorabilia etc.

I asked one of the chaps if he would take a photo of me with a gun and he was very obliging. I have a shot of me with a Lee Enfield as well. Like seeing traction engines, holding a Tommy Gun (which was a lot heavier than I was expecting) is not something that you get to experience every day.

Eventually it was time to go home, I was out of money, had caught enough rays, had taken more than 150 photos and still had chores to do at home. I’ll be back again next year though. The Hollowell Steam and Heavy Horse Show is now going to be an annual event, a bit like the VBOA National Rally…

…which I’ll be writing about next week.

Click on any image to enlarge. Higher resolution images available, just get in touch if you'd like one.

Hollowell Steam website​
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