SOUVENIRS FROM 20 YEARS AGO
TT FAN WITH A SMALL AMOUNT OF HIS VAST COLLECTION OF TT ITEMS
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1986....When Brian Crichton, the journalist realised that I would be celebrating 40 years a TTFan in 1987, he phoned me to arrange to visit my humble abode and to write an article about me for the 1986 TT Programme. I was delighted to have him visit and he spent much of the day making notes which turned into a full paqge in the programme. During our discussion I mentioned my "Vast Collection" and he aked to see some of it so I disappeared up into the loft and brought down a couple of bags. We laid the contents out on the dining table and the picture above was taken by Brian and it became part of the article with pictures of me with the Binghams and me with Geoff Duke. The article was a success inasmuch as I became a "celebrity" and I was invited to the Press Office to use some of my accumulated knowledge to relate information to the journalists. I then apparently qyualified for a press pass which thanks to Peter Kneale and Geoff Cannell was approved for the following 20 years. I worked with some famous names, not least, Leslie Nicholls, Norrie Whyte, Esso Gunnarson and George Turnbull, all sadly no longer with us but happy memories flood back when I think of them and their friendship.
FLORENCE DESMOND, STAR OF "NO LIMIT" |
Also in 1986 I realised that my favourite film"No Limit" would celebrate its 50 years since it was filmed. I had in my mind that I would like to interview Florence Desmond, the love interest in the film. I managed to contact her and we had a superb chat and at the end of a good half day, she gave me a personalised photo, signed to me. Considering the film had been filmed in 1935-1936 she had clear memories because (I think) she liked the Isle of Man so much.
She was born on 31st May 1905 and died aged 87 on 16th January 1993...
I am so glad I met her when I did.
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