It's A Wind Up

25/11/2019

It's a Wind Up- gramophone

Today I'd like to tell you a little about the show and how it has changed. I used to stand, introduce myself and begin with the music, and sprinkle the show with questions and information. Since last January I now arrive 1/2 hour early (as usual), but instead of fussing with disks and needles and machines, get stuff playing, as a sort of appetizer. Col Bogey, Teddy Bears Picnic and Betty Boop singing The Good Ship Lollipop. I find it gets people humming, singing and lively, and gives me a chance for 1 to 1 introductions around the room. Some old wag always chips in with school boy lyrics, "Hi**er, he only had one ball, Goering, two, but they were just...". Of course I muffle the horn gramophone (so I can talk to people), by putting a sock in it....Here's what people think..

09/10/2019

Just back from Glenholm Care Home where I did a free Victorian 3D party in exchange for some solid feedback from residents and care staff. What we came up with is this. It's great fun! People really get talking about the history portrayed, their history with Granny's stereoscope, the subjects, Victorian ideas of humour, marvels around the world, Famous places as they looked in 1860 or 1890 or so on. It really jump starts some memories especially of young school days and learning!

Works best with 6 or so residents, a care staff member helps, one hour is about the right amount, a bright room with big windows is a must,

I'm offering three, one hour Victorian 3D Parties for £30 in exchange for 2 photos, some solid feedback, (good or bad) and something written I can put on my website. RRP £45

First three! Speak up!! Call, email etc

02/10/2019

Great activity for smaller groups (9 or so) and a smaller budget....£45....travel the world and the years from 1860 to 1925 in glorious 3D with antique Holmes format stereoscopes and stereoviews. Queen Victoria, so amazed when shown a stereoscope asked, "Do the poor see this as well?". You be the judge. Strikes up conversations, family history, wonder. All that is needed and a window. HDTV of the 19th Century.
Visit my website at justinballuk.com

05/06/2019

Always looking for 78's. They are fragile and by the time I get them, mostly worn out. I do not sell records. My work is playing records to entertain people. Better that they are being used and bringing joy to peeoplee every day than sitting i your loft. Drop me a line. I will pickup. We can have a listen to your records on my machines if you like.

17/02/2019

So, about a month back, my friend Jane Moreland of Margaret Rose events calls and says she has a present. She arrives soon after and dumps a tatty cabinet gramophone at my front door. Well, I'm not one to destroy patina, so got the motor out and it went south-west to John Sleep gramophones in Cornwall. Back together again today. It's robust, clean and sounds pretty good. And MIGHT be small enough to lash across the sidecar and rear pillion.

And Saturday I'm hanging around the Westgate Hill with the Wallac and Grommet shooting brake looking cool and this guy walks up.."you do the wind up gramophone thing? There's a guy up the road with a stack of disks". So I found my way all of 200 yards up hill to Ridley Antiques, and spent a great afternoon pulling out some disks. Cool place, cool owner.

07/02/2019

New, large font, bold lyric sheets on the way. And "spot the phoney" posters of famous musicians from the 1920's to 50's, or maybe not! And a Valentine's dance. Where is my copy of Memories are made of this by Davie King?

01/11/2018

New windscreens, knee high boots, high output heated grips, bar muffs, LED spotlight....ready for winter. Good thing because I'm booked to go back to Berwick in December....for a request show, fee plus 50 p a record I find for someone, and I've just got run rabbit run, hound dog, siegfrid line and lili marlene...

30/09/2018

At Blue Flames Wedding Fair today.

22/09/2018

Explaining 19th Century technology to a very interested young man at the Autumn Village Fair.

27/08/2018

Opening at the Beer Festival at Bill Quay Cricket Club this weekend. The gramophones completely fill the marquee with sound.

05/08/2018

It all started with asking a friend if I could bring my gramophone to a community event to see what it sounded like outside....now it's care homes, parties, weddings...and Victorian 3D for a true time travelling event.

05/08/2018