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Doug Higley 1942 - 2022 7152 Posts |
Ken...what ever happened to PASSSING ON MY eMail address??? 450 pounds? Cripes man...give a brother a break here! I do have Bar Decor as well ya know! I thought watchin' may back was part of this freindship...blimey.
Not a Higley song Jeff...just a band in monster suits. 450 pounds...$800...mumble mumble....
Higley's Giant Flea Pocket Zibit
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Kondini Inner circle 3609 Posts |
Another busy week with the Maybank wet as ever,,,a small village hosted the Zibbs on the outer boundary of Balmoral for a short showing (3 hours) Then by Helicopter down to the garden of England for three days at the Sellindge Steam Special, this was their 36th year with our little show and exhibits taking pride of place right on the main arena.
Crowds were pressing through well with the showers pushing even more through (To keep out of the rain) This always works,,,,rain fills the tents in the UK!!! The Monday main day was the worse with towing both on and off for punters and performers alike. The Amazing Magnus was dual billed with us, with his beds of nails, strangulation, fire and steam roller escapes.We bump into each other on a regular basis (Around every ten years or so) Such is the show run!! The upper crust were as per usual,,,,with their human nature of "They cant be real>>>>>> Or could they!!! One will go in with their friends holding back waiting for a visual report,,,but curiosity kills them and they all end up parting with the cash hahaha,,,,"Showbiz" Seven zibbs a showground entertainer a few nails and a hammer flying across the UK in a Wessex Whirlwind,,,whatever next? Next Stop City of Wolverhampton Show,,,guest of honour and first in the Strange Thing Q will be the Lord Mayor,,,complete with chain of office. Time out. Ken. |
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Harley Newman Inner circle 5117 Posts |
Next? Do something hanging UNDER the Wessex Whirlwind.
That's how to have a good time!
“You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus” -Mark Twain
www.bladewalker.com |
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Doug Higley 1942 - 2022 7152 Posts |
I want to move to Wolverhampton. Hook me up with the Mayor for a Key eh?
Is this a public show of just the one Zibit or all 7???
Higley's Giant Flea Pocket Zibit
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Kondini Inner circle 3609 Posts |
Public show with private VIP bookings separate with all 7 for the VIP`s just 2 for the common folk (Like Harley !!).
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Harley Newman Inner circle 5117 Posts |
Wait, am I common, or am I the zibit? Either's ok with me. But I won't bow.
“You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus” -Mark Twain
www.bladewalker.com |
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Kondini Inner circle 3609 Posts |
Well with Wolverhampton done and dusted we move onto the two private showings that make set up a pain in the butt.
Number one held in a Town House in the Cossely Area of the Midlands saw the seven zibbs carted up the four flights of stairs to the dimley lit attic room lit only by small spotlights to highlight each case. The VIP visitors (Most in their eighties) Eventualy got there, somewhat short of puff after the climb, to be greeted by a white faced Druid clothed hostess who escorted each in turn around the attic of the strange. Five hours later we broke down and headed for the Civic Offices where we were presented with the charter to the City (Which gives us the right to exhibit in the centre of any City Show, rent free) Nice one son!! Then on to Worcester for a private showing at the Potteries which will take place in approx four hours time. Still well ahead in popularity is the Road Kill with the Death worm a very close second. It appears that through constant showings I am starting to believe my own patter!! Which must assist in the putting over of the lie to the punters,, a comment made to the fact by Mayor Elect, Councillor Malcolm Gwineth (Next Mayor of Wolverhampton) Who fully believes I have put over ten years of study into the exploration of these unusual exhibits. Higley,,,you have a lot to answer for. Rough total from the Wolves show (16 hrs open) £675) Actual total from 7hrs private showings £4603 all for Charity. I am thinking of becomeing a charity !! Im gone Ken. |
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Doug Higley 1942 - 2022 7152 Posts |
"Five hours later we broke down and headed for the Civic Offices where we were presented with the charter to the City (Which gives us the right to exhibit in the centre of any City Show, rent free) Nice one son!!"
Thanks Dad. I expect a copy of that please. I'm missin' all the fun! What I wouldn't give...
Higley's Giant Flea Pocket Zibit
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Kondini Inner circle 3609 Posts |
A very busy week done with visits to Buck Palace Road, Leamington Spa, Bath, Oswestry and Santa Pod. All were privates for Polititions and such like with the Public viewings of two Zibbs on the Saturday and Sunday at the Wilts Steam Fair.
The weather was extreme, the crowds at the Steam Fair were extreme and with the football fever at pitch the excess drink mixed with the heat caused friction by the boat load with fights and fients and spew etc all over the place. Security did their best but were well outnumbered. We lost punters due to this which was a pity because it could have been a record breaking day all round. The Police were a complete waste of space taking no action against the trouble makers at all,,,all the showmen were left to fend for themselves. We escaped unscathed and are now on the way to The Nibley Show which is a three dayer for the public, right in the heart of the Gloucester Downs. Something positive from the affray though,,,I now have a good supply of thick glass bottles for the glass walking next weekend.!!! Ken. |
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Kondini Inner circle 3609 Posts |
The Nibley Show was a huge task with punters solid from 10am through to 6pm, no time for ablutions or food, but what a take for three days.
The useual drunks tried on night one to lift the Zibbs by crawling under the sidewalls,,,,but man were they shocked to find beside the seven Zibbs on display that there were two of us sleeping in there with them,,,,,,I wore a horror mask from our slum stall and scared the ***T out of them!!!! On now to the upper crust event last night (Or was it this morning???). Christs College Cambridge,,,,The May Ball (20th-21st June) In the grounds of Christ`s. Opened at 9pm on the Tuesday evening and closed at 6am the following Wednesday morning (This morning). The kids were rocking,,beer bottles, glasses, girls half naked laying all over the grass. Pop groups with multiple stages, full sized fun fair, classical music,walkabout entertainers you name it,,,,these brains of Britain had it. Set in the grounds of this fantastic College with the history of Cambridge Schooling and amazing biuldings as a backdrop how can I start to describe this crazy but wonderful event. I was booked to perform on the main stage at 3am with pro lighting, sound and rigging experts supplied for my use, what a buzz to have and work with the best in the UK,,,,and massive crowds at 3am !!! With tickets at £140 per head,,,,sold out in advance,,,see http://www.christsmayball.com or google it,,,,just look at the menu!!!! Yes and over in the corner was a Higgs Mer (These *** things tend to get everywhere) You don`t want me to tell you who patronised this event,,,,everyone`s kid who is anyone was there,,,and due to over consumption is proberly still there now!!! Our first screemer of the year was a student in very short skirt with very long legs,,,,last seen heading in the direction of London on the M11,,,,,,she swore the Mer moved!!!!! On to HMS Sultan for their three day hype in aid of the Militory. Later, Ken. |
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Doug Higley 1942 - 2022 7152 Posts |
The experiences of a lifetime...all because somebody well placed saw the mer you showed last year coupled with your savy and experience in how to maginfy an opportunity beyond maximum...just too many amazing things over the past couple of months to fathom my friend. And because we have to be so friggin' cryptic...not a soul (on this board or anywhere else) knows the full story or impact of what's going on.
By the way, when you are doing the punters (not the high born) and performing your act, do you have the banner up?
Higley's Giant Flea Pocket Zibit
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Kondini Inner circle 3609 Posts |
Yes Doug,,,,up at all times.
To add to the above,,,,,the set up is exactly as in Dougs notes,,,nothing more than that. The way the come on is made is very basic and can be picked up in minets,,,the air of being curious is what sells the whole thing, that`s it.Also being the only one of it`s kind (At present!) Gives us the complete edge,,,next year I am sure a few showmen will try and crease in,,,,but too late pals,,,it`s been done now and exploited beyond anyone`s dreams,the list of who`s who,who have paid homage to our little gaff is unbelievable and will never be matched,,,ever. Ken. |
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Kondini Inner circle 3609 Posts |
OK weekends a done deal with three days (Two open to the public)At HMS Sultan. Google it.
A very big show in its 50th centenery year complete with top acts, fairground and Air displays. Booked to do 5 shows with a single VIP (And I really meen VIP) Tent viewing of the zibbs,,,admirals,,,this and that,,,the elite of the British Navy queing up to see the strange things,they all kept in an orderly line with their caps in easy position at 90 degrees to the wrist,,,,only on exit did they let their short hair down to explicits of what they had just seen,,,,believers outnumbered the disbelievers and considering the football was on and we held them,,,,then it was a victory for us all,,,,includeing the Navy charities which will benefit from this monster of a show. With the VIP tent shrouded in red velvet,,,,the usual red carpet some fifty feet in length,,,the guests arriveing in a shiny white stretch limo,,,the officers in full ceremonial dress and me in pin stripe and bowler. Canopies with champers for mingles,,,,,God this work is tough!!!! Next stop,,,Bromyard Gala with a possible Red Arrow viewing of the zibbs !!! Down the road, Ken. |
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Doug Higley 1942 - 2022 7152 Posts |
Thanks for the report Ken...I don't think I've ever felt so 'left out' in all my life...if only there had been a documentary camera crew assigned to this! Not to mention we won't have a single picture! grrrrr.
What's a Red Arrow View?
Higley's Giant Flea Pocket Zibit
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Kondini Inner circle 3609 Posts |
The Red Arrows,,,,RAF Supreme aerobatic display team,,,Google it.
I have a few pics of set up etc which I hope to put into a pamphlet form with info for you at the end of the run,,,,NOT for publication though. NB,,,,Your contact details are displayed on the front info board of the show,,,,as an advisor to the unusual OK. The Thames Boat trip complete with zibbs is now a definate. Ken. |
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Doug Higley 1942 - 2022 7152 Posts |
Wahhhhh! (I'm pitching a fit) If only I had saved over my life for that plane ticket!! man oh man...
Higley's Giant Flea Pocket Zibit
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Kondini Inner circle 3609 Posts |
Bromyard Gala now done with crowds vanishing at 3pm for the football on the Saturday,,,,,All the Showmans prayers were answered when we got kicked out of the World Cup,,,with massive returns fighting to get in the gate on the Sunday.
The zibbs were in a very quiet position but drew huge response,,,,why???? well we were backing onto a line of Portaloo Toilets,,,,the day was really hot,,,the toilets took on a smell which grew with their useage,,,,,my talk changed to the fact that the unusual things on the inside were indeed suffereing from the heat, decomposed strange things were the order of the day and the pong turned a good dollar or two,,yes folk are strange,,,,the pong pulled the punters. Upon leaving we were begged to return next year to their centenary show (40yrs) We will, with a singlo mer,,,,,a zibb booked a year in advance, can`t be bad. Once again the RSPCA made fools of themselves by insisting they view the show,,,I also insisted they pay the price of admission,,,,they refused,,,,a Policeman was called,,,,he paid,,,,,so all was happy in the end,,,except for the RSPCA official who I castigated very loudly over the mike,,,he went red and ran away,,,we soon had another Q due to the incident!!!! Off to one of the best Rallies in the UK,,,Rempstone (Google it) In the Midlands, three days of fun from morn to night and through the night as well. The zibbs make a very special visit to the home of the famouse pork pies,,,Melton Mowbrey,,,just down the road from the showground. Gone with the pong,,,,Ken. |
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Kondini Inner circle 3609 Posts |
Another two contracts out of the way with opposite presentations to make life harder. The midweek run back to Moredon for a three hour showing of all the zibbs proved a problem with parking (London gets worse all the time)We had to carry the zibbs some distance to their freshly set up quarters in the grounds of the Inter Continental Hotel where VIP guests from the world of Wimbledon Tennis came to view,,,,again well received but open for far too short a period.
Then on to Rempstone for three days of fun at this very well supported Rally. The Fairground starved but we held our own by useing the Fakir Act as a come on to the show. Again very long Q`s from 10 till 10 with a varied cross section of public and only three VIP`s from the Leicester Council. On a very sad note,,,from Showman David Weeks we hear that Showlady Betty Allen died in the early hours of Thursday morning,,,,Betty and her Mum were proberly the most respected names in the outside showworld here in the UK,,,,With a Paradeing show which held grounds at all the major Fairs and walkrounds, head on a sword, Rat Pit, Snake Pit, Girl in a Bottle,The PG Tips Chimps,Waxworks Show,etc etc,,,they were truly the last of the showwomen of England. With their close ties to Circus,,,,remember The Lady of the Lions (Betts Mum) I learnt the ropes from the Allen Family and they have brought an era to an end. Strange but true,,,,on the same day that Betty was taken into hospital,,,Wall of Death Owner / Rider Alan Ford was also admitted into hospital for a replacement heart valve,,,he is fine,,,,but that's not all,,,,the legendary Wall Rider Gerry Le Roy (Now the oldest WOD rider in the World) Had a quadruple bypass as well with a huge scar to prove it!!!! As Gerry said,,,"I have been a wall rider all of my life, come off quite a few times with the odd brocken thumb or two,,,,then end up in Hospital with surgery to follow by walking down the street!!! Off to Weeting Steam now for three days of getting covered in coal smutts, not forgetting the detour on route to Leytonstone and Mile End Road in the East End of London (We accepted this private viewing out of sheer self indulgence) The venue is only a couple of yards from where The Elephant Man was exhibited all those years ago,,,what would Mr Merrick think of these zibbs? His remains are still there in the GL Hospital just up the road. Pedal to the metal,,,, Ken. |
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Kondini Inner circle 3609 Posts |
Not a lot to report on this week,,,the London E-end gig was a huge test as many of the lookers are aware of our biz and the way we promote it. All were without fail impressed with Dougs work and comments on the colouring as per a geniune!!! feature (You will have to see a zibb to know what they meen)I also commented a while ago on this,,,, it makes all the difference.
Three days in coal smutts and dust with high temps took the toll of the Weeting Show.I received facial burns (Around the nose area) With the fire brands vapor causing havoc,,,lighting when they chose rather than me,,,,,grass spattered flames from the fuel drops on the blowouts ment the fire hose was out on and off all day even at 9pm the heat was a Fire eaters nightmare. With public viewing of the zibbs, take was down due to the heat,,,,the speckies staying in the beer tent to keep cool,,,,we covered about £650 in all so we did our best,,,,such is show life. Betty Allen`s cremation in London tomorrow with a who`s who of show folk bound to attend,,,a sad day for me with time to reflect. Then on to Liskard for three days with a midweek drop at Dunster Castle on the Wednesday,,,,really big bigwigs from Somerset and Cornish high class families who have already parted with the price of admission. Down the road,,,,yet again. Ken. |
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Kondini Inner circle 3609 Posts |
Liskard and Dunster now under the belt on route for three days out in Dover a stones throw from the Channel Tunnel.
Now to drive a double load around Cornwall is a show in itself with the A39 invented by a drunk or junkie!!! These crazy narrow zigzag roads with high holiday traffic and sheer drop curb sides have to be navigated with extreme caution at all times. The tractor unit with generating trailer pulling the caravan as a train unit with overall length of fifty feet made the six hour journey seem a lifetime but we got there and over to Dunster Castle without mishap which is more than can be said of the two upturned caravans and cars on the A30 dual way which we passed on the way. Liskard with its vast Estate (Far larger than the Royals own Windsor estates) Boconnic Estate by name and effect with thousands upon thousands of holiday makers eager to see the strange things.Again a sizzling success with temps in the 99 degree bracket. Onto Dunster Castle with us setting up on the Castle Lawns. A most pleasant place to be with the Minehead sands!!! and sea only two miles down the road.The Dignatries of Somerset and Devon descended upon us with their ceremonial gowns and studdied garters to keep the days activities in keeping with the mood,,,again tens of thousands paid the price to play on the grass and watch the huntmen in crimson attire and bike riders risking all not to forget of course the strange things in the small white tent, smack in the centre of the main drag.Such venues and takings are a dream to the showman. On a sadder note, with a good turn out at Betty Allens cremation, we returned home for a shower to find out that another of the last great UK showmen had passed on,,,the one and only Ronnie Taylor,,,,what can I say,,,its with a heavy heart that we return to the road, but the Show must go on!! Stop press>>>>>> For those of you interested in Wall Riders>>>>>>My very close friend Allan Ford has just finished the first comprehensive world history of the Wall of Death, including over 150 original images, this is a most fascinating and unique insight into a part of our showmans folklore.It is to be promoted at the Great Dorset Steam Fair (The largest fair of its kind in the World today).For further info, pm me and with time permitting I will get back to you,,,,,promise. Onto Waldershare Show, all the Kent VIP`s will be there,,,will you??? cos you darn well should be. Later,,,Ken. |
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