DavidR

Here in Poland, Lidl took out a lot of space on roadside advertising hoardings for New Year's fireworks and in the biggest writing possible was the word 'BUM' This is Polish for 'boom'. Sadly, the posters disappeared quickly after the season's jollies and I was unable to photograph one.

He can't spell gauge (guage) either!

Seems like the silly b***ers (bidders!) who were offering massive sums for a photo of the Olympic torch will be disappointed.It's been withdrawn from the site.

Enoch and Eli made a rare trip to Birmingham and were standing in front of an imposing building. "What they call this place, then", says Enoch. "It's the Council House", says Eli. "Bostin' innit. I got me name down fer one'na them!"

The Dudley 'moke': branch train to Dudley. On the subject of donkeys, it was alleged that they were manufactured in Lower Gornal, there were so many in that area at the beginning of the 20th Century. And what about Cradley 'yeath (Heath)- Chain making: the Titanic (among others) had there anchor chains made there. Alas, I believe, the industry is now all gone.

Moving into the 20th C., surely the Balti is a Black Country invention? First produced at The Lye, near Stourbridge, I believe.

Bonfire night: Growty pudding and some Banks' bitter. Birmingham Mail: 1,760 yards.

I seem to remember a BBC series from the 1980's (?) 'A Horseman Riding By' (adapted from the Delderfield novel), which featured restored GW vintage stock (1400 tank, coaches) plus the obligitory GW halt. Filmed on SDR, or WSR? Not sure.

When a company I worked for moved to new premises, in Great Yarmouth, they removed all the old signs from the interior of the building -which had been a Jobcentre. I kept one and it is now displayed on my shed door. It reads ' No dogs, except guide dogs and NO CHIPS'.

Many years ago, a company I worked for went 'all motivational', with signs everywhere exhorting you to work better. Even the gents loo got one: in huge red letters it said 'THINK!'. Some wag put up a smaller hand-written sign by the wash basin: "THOAP'!

I have several short clerestory coaches in my collection and have dealt with them in the following ways: 1) Drill out a series of holes around the brass 'rivet' ,release the whole bogie and bin it. 2) Cement a piece of plasticard over the ensuing hole. 3) Cut away the lugs holding the underframe-it should then drop out. 4) Carefully saw the 'gas tank' from the stretchers (a razor saw is best for this). Retain the tie bars and bin the gas tank. Cement back into original position. 5)Fit Dean 8'6" bogies from 247 Developments, or Phoenix Coaches- these add weight. An alternative could be the Hornby clerestory bogies and wheels from Peter's Spares, or East Kent Models. These are cheaper, but lightweight, so a weight needs to be added, if the coach isn't to fly off going round corners. 6) Add gas tanks, vac pipes and vacuum cylinder from 247 Developments (other suppliers are avaliable). 7) Strip off old paint and respray in appropriate livery and add transfers. 8)Glaze, as suitable 9) Dont forget to strip paint off roof and repaint. 10) Job done!