BASIL BRUSH'S CAR, EXETER TOY FAIR, GARIBALDI'S TROOPS

                                                                 PURE NOSTALGIA

I loved the original series of Basil Brush 1968-80. The controversial, sometimes racy, wit of the puppeteer was hilarious. The puppet was made by Peter Firmin, who was part of a team that gave us magical children's TV programmes such as Nogin the Nog, Bagpuss, Ivor the Engine, and The Clangers. But it was the voice, script writing, and puppetry of Ivan Qwen that made Basil Brush a household name in the UK. Less known is that the character of Basil was almost certainly a composite of two of Ivan Owen's actual friends, that is Terry Scott, and Terry Thomas. 

Visiting the collectables shop, I spotted this lightly damaged die-cast, and couldn't resist it. They aren't that rare, but it was still kind of the owner to charge me £7, which included two plastic Britains draught horses. In 1971 Corgi joined with the Basil Brush Show to produce this toy, based on the one which appears in the show's intro.  will have to think hard to find a method to use this die-cast in a wargame, but if I fail...... no worries.

Youtube 'presently' has some surviving episodes from the original series.... great fun!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNfh-jvUvpA

Ivan Owen, d.2000

Terry Scott, d.1994. (Saw him in a Christmas pantomime in the West End, 1970s.)

Terry Thomas, d.1990

Terry Thomas tells a joke.......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0jPxYcQW2I

Feb 18, paint stripped car

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EXETER TOY FAIR, FEBRUARY 15

Chris and I visited Matford once again. My budget was limited, but I did want to try and sort out a few gaps in the collection, and I was open to finding a bargain. 

There must have been about seventy traders(?). With about half a dozen carrying toy soldiers. I must be honest, I did not see that many bargains, and it was quite noticeable that there was an absence of vintage plastic soldiers for sale. I spent £7 for two entrance fees, and £14 on lead castings.  And here they are. The cavalryman completes a unit of four. The three Guards firing completes a battalion of twelve. And finally, four odds that just caught my eye. Unfortunately, one of the latter is home-cast lead,  and I won't keep it.

I believe the Guardsmen below are from Crescent Box no.1488, aka Castle Guard figures. Have never seen them used by other wargamers, am I the only person that actually set out to collect them? Their scale is 55mm.

The West Point figure on the left is not worth saving, pure lead, badly cast. But good to get another railway station figure.

Well, nothing really special, but it was a nice day out! Chris roamed about taking photos, including a few toy trains for Roger (in Norway).

Nice seeing Trader Graham Pearson. He showed me some superb photos of Airfix WW2 Germans he had recently painted, but I'm clenching my teeth while writing this. I think his stall had a monopoly on plastic figures.

Other traders.

Visited Kevin Duggin's stand again. He knows I like restoring bargains, but I also like to be inspired.

Some other stands.....

Yes, it was raining, again, but better than staying inside!

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GARIBALDI gains another COMPANY

Going through my spares box I found four damaged ACW Confederates. With no plans to wargame the ACW, decided to repair and repaint as Carabiniere/Bersagliere Genovesi. Contemporary photographs show that this unit(s) adopted various outfits in shades of grey. Many of these garments were then faced or piped with mainly black. It certainly makes a contrast to the popular red shirts. For wargames. I will temporarily draft a dozen Britains Deetail and Swoppet Confederates to top up their number, but I won't offend others by repainting them, lol.

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SOME NEW TOOLS

Have been using a pair of modelling files for about twenty-five years, and they looked the part. Decided to pick up this set of ten for the reasonable price of £6.50, from a local hardware store.

I get through pens and pencils like few others, picked up twenty-nine new pencils, and two coloured plastic/glass pencils for £1 in a charity shop. Will remove the rubbish rubbers, I only use mars/plastic erasers.

MGB

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REPLYING TO COMMENTS FROM FRIENDS 

Hello MJT. The toy fair is held in Exeter two or three times a year. On some visits I have genuinely wished my funds would be a bit healthier. I would suggest, the November event was much better, but even this one is as good as some elsewhere in the country. On the positive side, I saw hardly any cuddly toys (he writes, having just promoted Basil Brush!). 

Hello Hugh, having already promoted the Basil Brush Show, I left it to others to mention the catchphrases, lol. I do wonder how many visitors will view this, wondering what is this all about. Until they have viewed an episode, they are missing out...... place a bet some will think it is like other kid shows...... not quite.

Hi Donnie. It's a bit strange, I don't feel I've completed that much this last week, but there is a fair number of projects that have moved down the pipeline. And, despite having a cold for four days, and working on a tricky sewing project, I have still enjoyed the week. I do get a buzz whenever I complete a project, so those odd figures from the show will give a good return, and there is a load of WW2 Airfix that has also been painted, just awaiting some photos.

Hi Roger, Chris has some interest in Steam Engines, so he was happy to take some railway photos for your interest. Despite the London Toy Soldier Show being held in my childhood home area, I've never been. But there are some good videos of past events on Youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9b_r05VhLQ

I've also noted, two or three who have commented on my blog, have reported picking up some splendid plastic soldiers, and apparently at fair prices. So the secondhand stalls are probably very interesting! 

Hello Tony. It only took us 20 minutes to get to the show. Daft not to make a day trip out of it. And I met a handful of traders that regularly view my blog. Just today, 22nd, met another trader that lives around the corner, he has very kindly given me a box of 23 plastic Britains Eyes Right US Bandsmen in yellow. What a very kind gesture! 

Thanks Brad. I thought the Italian uniform would be of interest. And it makes any excursions a little bit more authentic, being able to furnish this second unit on the wargames table. I will be aiming for a third, for sure.