Cyclemaina

Beeston born fashion designer Paul Smith was in town today at his wondrous store on Low Pavement to sign copies of his new book about cycling, called 'Paul Smith's Cycling Scrapbook'.

A keen cyclist himself, he also collects cycling memorabilia, such as shirts, programmes etc. Apparently he even cycles around his office and studio, which is based in Covent Garden.

The shop was packed with fans all ages, all queuing up to get the £30 book signed by the author himself. Which was available for the first time today. It was so busy, that I didn't want to ask Paul if he could do a quick pose for me, so I just waited patiently to see if I could get a useable shot without too many people in it, and one that showed Paul, well being Paul.

I've only been in the shop twice before. Once to buy some raffle tickets, and once to take a photo of him signing his previous book about his long and very successful career. For some unexplained reason I always get this strange feeling that I don't belong there. It's odd, as I don't get it in other shops. Maybe because the building, called Willoughby House is nearly 300 years old and has seen lots of things happen in its life.

From The Sublime To The Ridiculous

This evening turned out to be quite eventful for two reasons, firstly I went along to Paul Smith's store on Middle Pavement, as I'd found out that he was going to be there signing copies of his new book about the history of his fashion empire.

I have always wanted to meet him, as he is also a Beeston lad. I did know his parents, who alas aren't around anymore, as his father Harold was a keen photographer in Beeston's camera club.

Afterwards I met up with Gail at Nottingham Playhouse, as it was their 50th birthday and they were having a gala evening. I had won some tickets a couple of hours earlier for this year's panto, Jack and the Beanstalk, so I said that I would meet her outside the theatre just before curtain up.

So I had a wander up to see what was happening, and the place was absolutely heaving with fans of the theatre. The local BBC team were there interviewing Stephanie Sirr, who is one of the executives of the Playhouse over the landmark. I just happened to wander by whilst the interview was taking place, and so appeared on TV for a couple of seconds, as it was going out live!

We then settled down to watch the panto. The stage design and costumes were very colourful. This year also marks the 30th and last show starring Kenneth Allen Taylor as the leading lady. Everyone knows the story and the jokes were as corny as ever. There was a bit of ad-libbing, as one of the actors appeared to have forgotten his lines, and Kenneth did a cod Frankie Howerd impression. I wasn't sure if it was genuine ad-libbing, or rehearsed. But it was very amusing all the same.

Would You Adam And Eve It

I don't know if car makers are starting to run out of names for their new vehicles, but Vauxhall seem to have got hold of the Bible and started at the beginning. They couldn't use Genesis, as Hyundai have already snapped that one up.

To me, the front looks like a Renault, while the back looks like a Fiat 500. I'm not sure about the stripes though. It does make the car look a little odd, although it would stand out on the road. Possibly local designer Paul Smith could sue them for infringement of copy-write, as he is well know for producing stripy clothes and furniture, as these Google images show.

Rabbit On

This display is in the window of Paul Smith's first shop on Byard Lane. It's a small shop and so the display area is small. For some reason the things the store puts on display don't appear to have any relation to the clothes etc that the shop sells.