Talking Italian

Whilst shopping in Beeston this morning, I was surprised to see two friends of ours, Leone & Yarden. Especially Yarden, as he lives in Italy. Leone meanwhile lives in Derbyshire.

Gail & I first met them last year on our tour of Tuscany. Leone was one of the travelling party, whilst Yarden, a fashion designer, unveiled the 'Volcano Dress' during our stay in Italy. The Volcano Dress is based around a photo that the artist Roberto Alborghetti took of the now famous Barton's bus, nicknamed The Ghost Bus.

It was nice to see them, especially now that they have become a couple.

Photo Of The Year

The City Daily Photo theme for January is 'your best photo of the year'. So for my entry I'm going with this one that I took on 27th March.

It's probably not the best photo that I've taken during 2015, but it's one that has the most relevance for me for a number of reasons.

This is Barton's 'Ghost Bus'. An old rusted and decayed coach that was built in the 1950s and has spent the last 20 odd years in a farmers field. Only to be rescued and brought back to their garage in Chilwell.

I saw an advert for an event at Barton's that was featuring the bus, so I went along, as I had seen it before. But in the daytime, and wondered what it would look like in the dark. The event included a screening of a short film that had been created by Italian visual artist Roberto Alborghetti, and based on close up photos that Roberto had taken of the Ghost Bus.

After the show, I got to interview Roberto for the Beestonian magazine that I write for. In fact someone else was meant to be covering the event, but couldn't make it, so I did it instead. Serendipity I think they call it. Roberto was pleased with the article and I have been his friend ever since. I also made friends with Marysia, the organiser of the event.

To cut a long story short, this friendship resulted in Gail & I going to Tuscany in October with Marysia, her son and four other travelling companions. Besides seeing different parts of Italy, one of the aims was to get Tuscany twinned with Beeston. To help this along we met two mayors and Marysia presented them with a 'Beeston goody bag' which contained a copy of the Beestonian, a locally produced lace shawl, some postcard and a scale model of the Ghost Bus itself.

I'm not sure if any progress has been made with the twinning, but Gail and I both agree that we loved seeing Tuscany and plan to make many more visits to Italy.

Family Of Man

Today has been Oxjam Day. Over twelve hours of music across Beeston, at different places including cafes, pubs and the former Barton's bus depot.

There has been in the regions of seventy bands, singers and musicians playing to raise money for Oxfam.

I managed to see quite a few through the day. One of the highlights was watching The Jar Family at Barton's. Unfortunately I couldn't watch the whole of the gig, as I had to pop over to another venue to catch The Madeline Rust.

This has been the third time that the Jar Family have done Oxjam in Beeston, and the audience enjoyed themselves, with dancing and cheering along to the band's infectious style of music. Industrial folk they call it. So I thought this sepia tinged photo would complement it.

Magical Mystery Tour

Despite the town name on this coach, I'm not actually in Wales at the moment, but at Wollaton Park, and their annual classic vehicle show.

Barton is of course a local bus company and this is one of their coaches, A Bedford VAL from the early 1960s. It doesn't belong to Barton's any more, but resides at the Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre in Ruddington.

Spirited Away

There was an unusual, and exciting event that took place in Beeston tonight, a world premiere film show based on close up photographs of the 'Ghost Bus'; the old dilapidated Bartons bus that was found rotting in a Suffolk field.

The bus made its first appearance at Bartons in October 2012, and of course I popped along to see and write about it for this blog. Last October a well known Italian writer and visual artist called Roberto Alborghetti saw the bus for the first time and was amazed at the state of the vehicle. He then spent a couple of hours taking 500 close up photos of the rust, peeled paint and general distress on the buses bodywork and has turned 130 of them into a thirteen minute film, naturally called The Ghost Bus.

Besides seeing the film, Bartons had put lights and a smoke machine inside the bus, to give it a supernatural and atmospheric air, amplified by the darkness of the garage setting. Would you want to spend the night alone on this bus?

Roberto has also made a shorter, six minute film, using some of the other photos called Seaside Film, Both films were impressive and well received by the audience. There was also time for a small question and answer session.

It was a wonderful event, and for those that are curious about what the film looks like, Roberto has put a small extract on YouTube - https://youtu.be/1YWqP38vHQo

Erosion

A very old Land Rover that's seen better days. Now on display at Barton's in Chilwell.

Tiles

I took this colourful display of handmade glass coasters at the recent Sunday market which was held at the old Barton's garage.

There were certainly many varied designs on offer, but I resisted buying one. If I did, I would probably go for the heart one, being an old romantic.

Market Day

The old garage belonging to Barton's has been used for all sorts of things since it stopped being used for buses.

Today it was turned into an indoor market, which was amusingly entitled 'Not the Camden Market'. There were quite a number of stalls that were selling things ranging from artwork and vintage clothes, to books, plants and jewellery.

The best one was the one that had home made bread and cakes on it. We bought a loaf of yeast free bread, one of the mountain cakes you can see in the photo, a fruit tart and a massive flat cake with chocolate in it, which I polished off, while Gail ate a freshly cooked bacon sandwich.

I couldn't go to Barton's and not take a photo of one of their wonderful old buses. This one which was built in 1947 is soon going up for sale. I don't know how much they will be asking for it, but I'd certainly buy it if I happen to find a few thousand pounds lost down the back of the sofa!

Act Of War

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the start of World War One and those terible four years of battle with soldiers stuck fighting in trenches around France.

This horror of this time was brought to life tonight with the Nottingham Playhouse Youth Theatre's production of 'All Quiet on the Western Front' at the rather unusual, but very atmospheric old Barton's bus garage in Chilwell, and is part of the NEAT14 festival.

The play is based on the 1929 book of the same name by Erich Maria Remarque and has been adapted by Robin Kingsland. He was actually in the audience to see how the first night went and the audience's reaction to the unfolding tale.

He didn't have to worry at all, as the young cast did an excellent job of portraying people of the same age who had to face death, injury and destruction on a daily basis. To show that these soldiers were still  basically of school age, they carried large T squares and rulers instead of guns.

What makes the story really poignant, is it is told through the eyes of the German side. How they were just ordinary schoolboys like the English 'Tommys', and who had been encouraged to enlist and fight for their fatherland, but they didn't really know what they were fighting for.

The final scene is quite profound, and there was an almost stunned silence when the lights finally went out, and before the applause started.

The play runs until Sunday and is well worth seeing. But if you do, take your own cushion, as the old wooden seats available are very hard.

Oxjam

Phew, have I had a busy day photographing bands and singers for Beeston's Oxjam music festival. Some sixty bands over twelve hours at ten locations.

Obviously with that many artists, and some appearing at the same time, but at different locations, it was going to be almost impossible to see them all. But I managed to do about twenty.

The three photos that I've put on were all taken in the evening at the former Barton's bus depot, which has now become an arts and crafts venue.

Rebecca King is a young soul singer from London, but lives in Nottingham. This was the first time that I heard her sing. And very good she was too.

I first came into contact with One Boy One Girl's music last October when they won the local music contest called Notts Factor. Since winning it, they have produced an EP, toured extensively and put out some videos which can be seen on YouTube.

I've mentioned Emma Bladon-Jones a few times on here now, since she went in for the Notts Factor competition too. This was her tenth gig of the day, as she had set herself a goal of playing at each of the venues during the length of Oxjam. This feat, which she sucessfully accomplished was being followed by a cameraman from the BBC, who had followed Emma around throughout the day, for an item on Midlands Today.

Last Bus To Ilkeston

A vintage bus from circa 1965 painted in the old Midland General bus company colours.
The company doesn't exist anymore, so the only way to see such vehicles is at transport shows. I took this at the recent heritage day event at the old Barton's bus depot.

Comedy On Four Wheels

Another shot of one of Bartons' vintage buses, on show during the heritage weekend.

This one was advertising a forthcoming comedy show at the former bus garage.

The title 'Tram-a-geddon' refers to the carnage that Beeston and Chilwell is currently experiencing as roads are closed or dug up, traffic cones everywhere, and long delays to traffic whilst they are building the new tramline.

The money raised through ticket sales will be going to Oxfam, through the Oxjam banner.

History On The Move

It's the national Heritage Open Day today, where buildings open their doors to the public that are usually shut.

So I popped along to the old Barton's bus depot, which has now become a bit of a museum to the bus company and they also stage events like concerts and art works.

It was quite interesting seeing the vehicles again, as I have visited the former depot quite a few times before. But I noticed one or two new vehicles in the collection, like this old fire engine above.

The towing vehicle above looks like it used to be a former army or RAF vehicle, especially with those big tyres.

Here's a couple of commercial vehicles; a tractor for pulling trailers and another recovery vehicle. A lot bigger than the previous tow truck, probably designed for rescuing double deckers.

There were also a few cars on show like this Ford Escort from the late 1960s with Bartons' Robin Hood logo on the front in flag form.

Fair's Please

This afternoon, I popped along to a vintage and book fair at the former Barton's bus depot in Chilwell. Alas none of their vintage vehicles were on show, so here's a shot I took last week, whilst the street party was going on. And yes, that is snow you can see, rather than dust on my camera lens.

I didn't buy any books at the fair, as I have far too many as it is, but I did get some locally made sausages for Gail, which I cooked for her dinner, and I bought myself a real ale called Pica Boo from a local company;  Magpie Brewery, which I will probably have tomorrow night with my meal.

Sitting Pretty

Thought I might show something artistic tonight that I took recently at a local art exhibition.

I'm not too sure whether this hat suits the gazelle very well, but at least it will help her to keep cool under that hot African sky.

Seven Years Bad Luck

A bit of art today for some quiet contemplation.

A supposedly broken mirror reflecting the roof of the gallery where it is on show. In this case Barton's in Chilwell.

I'm not sure what the significance of the feather is. It might not even be part of the image. but dropped by a visitor as a joke or to add to the piece.

Whatever the truth is, do study it and make your own mind up.

The Ghost Bus

This photography lark does make you get out and about in search of a picture or two. Today has been no exception.Firstly I popped in the former Barton's bus depot in Chilwell to check out this years art exhibition, which goes under the name of the Carnival of Monsters. Then Gail and I went on a walk with a load of photographers, which was part of Scott Kelby's fifth worldwide annual photo walk. Then we went back to Barton's for their open evening and a chance to meet the artists.

I went last year, and they had some good stuff on show. This year has been the same. The highlight for me, and perhaps many others has been the siting of this old Barton's bus from the 1950s. I just love the way the paint has peeled away, the rust and its overall state of decay.

There is an interesting story behind this bus. It was one of 10 that Barton's bought in 1956. This particular one has been standing in a farmers field in Norfolk for the past 20 years. Hence it's unique appearance. The exhibit is also acting as a mini cinema, as a film has surfaced showing one of these buses taking tourists around different cities in Italy during 1959.

An unusual holiday too, as you are flown out to an Italian airport, where you are then picked up by coach, and then spend two weeks trundling to Venice, Florence, Rome etc. All for the grand price of £79, Which in today's money would probably be around £600.

The movie itself is going to be uploaded to Bartons' website, so everyone can enjoy it. Here's a LINK to their website, so you can see the film for yourself.

Jampacked

As I mentioned yesterday, Gail and I went to a quiz night to help raise funds for Oxfam.

It was being hosted and compared by a friend of mine called Matt, AKA Lord Beestonia. Although now that he has moved to the neighbouring village, he has tried calling himself Lord Attenborough. But I said that the well known British actor and film director Richard Attenborough may have something to say about it!

Anyway, there were 50 questions in total, together with a picture round. Another friend of mine called Lewis and his mum Karen joined us, together with another couple they knew.

We went by the name of 'Oddshots' as most of us are involved in photography. Alas we didn't win, but we had the satisfaction of doing our bit for charity.

There were quite a few people there, and there was also a singer/guitarist called Martin Jackson, who played to us a couple of times during the evening. He wasn't bad, and produced his own way of playing well known tunes.

My shot, shows Matt in full flow in reading out one of the questions. Matt by the way is also a blogger and edits a local free magazine called The Beestonian. If you want to know more about him and his work, HERE'S A LINK to his website.