Torn From History

Came across this display board the other day that looks like it has been used for years, and posters have been torn off to make room for others.

Most are for gigs, with some adverts for nightclubs with drink offers. I think it makes for an interesting collage and clearly shows how vibrant Nottingham's night life is.

Music Lesson

For the past few years Nottingham University has hosted a one day event called Mayfest. It's where various schools of education open their doors to let people know what they do. Geography, science, history etc. It's mainly aimed at children to give them some enthusiasm towards education and going to uni sometime in the future, but adults are welcome as well.

This year was no different. I wandered around the Trent and Portland buildings looking at the different things on offer, such as teaching people about Mobius strips, recycling and becoming a vet.  One of the lecturers told me about his work in obtaining some Victorian moulds of the geology of the Lake District, which he intends to put on display in Kendal, after making a few images from them.

A couple of things I came across and which had nothing to do with the event were seeing a plaque on the wall in the entrance of the Portland Building which stated that Paul MacCartney' new band Wings played their first gig there in 1972. It was the first concert in a number of dates at different universities. The ticket price was 40p, which is worth about £4 in today's money. Which is probably very cheap to see an ex Beatle.

Talking of which here's a poster of the supergroups' popular work Yellow Submarine. I was walking up some stairs and came across a small booth. It might have held a telephone before everyone had mobiles. The walls and ceiling were covered in posters of gigs, albums from different rock artists.

It's Advertising, But Not As We Know It

An advertising hoarding with layer upon layer of old posters peeling away from the wood.

I wonder what each of these posters advertised, and how long they had been there?

Sauve, Smart And Deadly

Nottingham has always had a strong input in the entertainment industry, either through films that were made here like Saturday Night, Sunday Morning or TV shows like Boon. And actors that have made a name for themselves like Samantha Morton or the late Richard Beckinsale. Then there is Shane Meadows, who has made many movies that were filmed here, such as This Is England.

One local actor who you may not know that well is White Dolemite. His real name is a secret for some reason, but he specialises in violent thrillers that often depict revenge when he has to face the Yakuza and other gangs who have wronged him in some way. He has also done a couple of horror films with zombies, and some raunchy sex movies.  He always wears his trademark eyepatch and often wears sharp suits and Cuban heels.

I caught up with White this evening as he made a special guest appearance at the City Gallery where he opened an exhibition showing a number of posters of his movies. I was surprised that he has made so many films after seeing them all together on the gallery walls.

We chatted for a while and I got him to pose alongside some of the artwork. For such a screen icon, he was a real down to Earth guy, who just loved a cigarette and a beer like everyone else.

The 'X rated man' exhibition is worth seeing, and to see such collectable posters up close is amazing. It's really the sort of show that London galleries put on, that somehow makes it feel elitist, whereas at the City Gallery, you feel quite comfortable and normal, just like White himself.

To get an idea of what a typical White Dolemite film is like, here's the trailer for his latest cinematic masterpiece. Please be warned that even though it's only a trailer, blood and graphic violence are seen. So if you are of a nervous disposition, or a bit squeamish, then please don't watch.

Love Don't Live Here Anymore

Not a very encouraging newspaper headline on today of all days; St Valentine's Day.

But no, the council are not considering banning lovemaking or encouraging celebacy in Nottingham, but the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner is deciding on whether to close all sex shops and lap dancing clubs in the area, as they are seen to degrade and endanger women.

There is some debate as to whether this is true or not. As if it is stamped out and goes underground, then it might become more dangerous to the women who work in them. Maybe it should go the other way and the industry is properly regulated and checked like it is in Holland and some states in America.

Still the poster for Nandos behind takes the subject of St Valentine's Day the other way, with the idea that you can become Rudolph Valentino or Casanova after eating a plate of their spicy chicken legs.

Bill Posters Will Be Prosecuted

'Only if they can catch him' is what people usually write below such signs! But here's a real bill poster, who won't be sent to court. It amazes me how they manage to remember which order to put the parts of the advertising hoarding up in. Perhaps they are numbered.

Has anyone seen posters put up in the wrong order?