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Once upon a time in Worcester; through the stage door.

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Once upon a time in Worcester; through the stage door The story of the Gaumont cinema and the music legends that appeared there...  It was a sad looking building when I took this picture (above), one cold, damp morning in 2024. I had not ventured around the rear of this imposing structure for the best part of forty years. There was a somewhat strange feeling to be back in the spot which I had visited many times in my youth, as I was trying to catch a glimpse of  various singers and musicians. I had been more used to seeing the area in darkness, filled with excited teenagers, armed with autograph books, and roadies busy ferrying equipment between the stage door and their tour van. The venue had been unused for several years when I visited, with a plethora of weeds and shrubs growing beneath its exterior, the entrance strewn with litter, ivy growing rampant up waste pipes, but with the stage door still visible. The rear entrance to this once famous music venue retains a certain presence
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Auto-Sleeper Harmony; Talbot Express/Fiat Ducato

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  Talbot Express, Auto-Sleeper Harmony The Harmony campervan was a hightop model from the 1980s and early 90s based on the Talbot Express/Fiat Ducato van. This was a 2+2 berth example, with a double bed below and two children sleeping area in the roof. The upper bed was made up using sliding board sections with a foam covering, only really suitable for children or perhaps one small(ish) adult. There were opening windows either side of the roof (with fitted curtains), and a 12v light. This was a five door model, with cab doors, side sliding door, and two rear opening doors. Most examples were fitted with the 1.9lt petrol engine, with a diesel motor as an option. The Harmony exterior had the distinctive Auto-Sleeper stripe graphics in navy blue with gold and white pinstripes. Sliding windows fitted to either side, with a decorative plastic panel to the rear section (as seen above). In addition to the two cab seats, there were a pair of forward-facing seats in the rear (as seen above), an
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Bedford Motorhomes & Campervans

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  Overview         The Bedford name is one that is synonymous with quality, robust commercial vehicles. First introduced in 1931, Bedford was the brand name given to Vauxhall’s commercial division, and the name of the vehicle marque was derived from the County in which these vehicles were constructed, Bedfordshire , England . In a twenty year period from its inception, Bedford went from strength to strength, attaining excellent sales and an enviable reputation for their range of commercial vehicles. During the years of WW11, Bedford vehicles were in demand by the military, and the formidable Churchill tanks were also built at the factory for use by the British Army.       The year 1952 is the significant milestone in Bedford history, certainly in terms of British-built camper vans. The year 1952, heralded the introduction of the Bedford CA range of light vans, a vehicle which was to become such a familiar sight in Britain over the ensuing sixteen years. During that time the ex
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Commer Campervans & Motorhomes Book

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  It was a long time coming, but finally a book dedicated purely to the various campervans and motorhomes produced on the Rootes/Chrysler Commer chassis. The papaerback edition is A5 in size, and printed in full colour throughout. Similar in style and format to the much loved 'Olyslager' motor manuals of the 60s and 70s. Pictured alongside the Commer manual by Olyslager, the Commer campervan book is a similar size I became a little frustrated that there were no titles available in print which were exclusively about the various Commer campervans, especially in light of the fact that the Commer was in production from 1960 until 1983 (although re-named the Dodge Spacevan by that time). As the Commer holds a special place in my vehicle affections, due to my father buying one in the late 1960s, and the fact that the Commer was my first campervan. My late father 'Perry' with his 1964 Commer Maidstone campervan, pictured in 1992. Pictured top, with its original UK registration
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