Joyce's Column: December

Well firstly I would like to wish all my readers  Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year for 2026, and to say thanks for keep reading my chat column I only hope you enjoy reading it as much as I do writing it, and see you all at the forthcoming EAG, which is only just around the corner.

Ex industry stalwart this time a lady a namely Evelyn Wilkinson who had a great reputation in the Spares Industry, a lady that knew her products inside out and always eager to help, spending much of her time at Deith’s, Shefras and Suzo, and a sad loss to the industry when she retired. Anyway, Evelyn contacted me about Leon Deith who with his father the late Bob and his brother Matthew (who is still in the industry) playing much valued role our industry over the years.

Leon has now taken up a new role of an author and had a book published named My Earth School a travelling guide to managing thoughts and emotions on earth. This was launched at Watkins Book Shop, London which comprised of a talk, questions and answers and a book signing. Evelyn went along to the launch, and had a most enjoyable time and said it was good to see Leon again. There was another signing of the book at Waterstones in Reigate, Surrey.  Want to know more, then I suggest you Google it and maybe see if it appeals to you and if it does why not buy a copy? Good luck with your new career Leon and remember the first book is always the most difficult, the next one will be much easier.

Talking of books there is one titled Arcade Britannia which is the social history of the British Amusement Arcade from the 1800’s to present day and apparently the late Colin Mallery was one of the main contributors to this publication. The book is available on Amazon, eBay, World of books, Oxfam, Awesome Books and other book sellers too. Prices vary from around £18.00 - £24.00, but I would think it would be  good and enjoyable read, maybe I will put it on my Christmas list.  

I mentioned in my October chat column about the passing of the late Roger Melling of Casino World and said I would let you have some surprising information about his life, and quite a life it appears to have been for such an unassuming man. Anyway, I got my ex industry journalist Peter Rubin to give me some gen on Roger as he worked with him and remained friends with him up to Roger’s passing, I think it makes interesting reading.

I first met Roger Melling at an industry show around 2005.Little did I know that we would become firm friends for another 20 odd years

He later offered me a job on Casino World editing an Amusement and Leisure section.

One of Roger’s greatest management skills was that if he believed you could do a job,,he would let you get on with it and never interfered unless he felt you were going off track. A rare quality in today’s business world of micro management. Roger’s  credo was that if I wrote the truth he would back me up, a quality he demonstrated when he sent an amusement trade representative away with a flea in their ear. Everything a Managing Editor and Publisher should be to mind!

Roger and his family were raised in India and he started his working life preparing tenders and similar tasks for an oil company

However, he built his professional reputation working in the casino industry which he knew from top to bottom by the time he became Managing Editor of Casino World and this partly why he was so well respected and liked.

In the early 70s Roger was managing the Playboy Club in Manchester where he mixed with the likes of George Best and Dennis Law, and he found George to be extremely likeable and charming and Dennis a true gentleman.

Roger also managed the infamous Clermont Club in Mayfair in the 1970s when John Aspinall sold the club to the Playboy group, and he told me how he looked at the books detailing the Lucan debts and that he had met the Lucan’s, Aspinall’s and the Dukes of Westminster and Kent who frequented the club, and it was here that he met Jimi Hendrix shortly before his death, being one of the last people to see him alive.

Prior to this he had managed a casino in the African state of Gabon where he had a number of hair-raising experiences, and they were totally dependent on ships delivering supplies and when things like toilet paper did not arrive, they had to make do with whatever was to hand. Unfortunately he found himself in difficulties during his time in Gabon relying on help from local people who shared their food with him where he also encountered black magic and voodoo practices with the local people.

One of Roger’s most endearing qualities was that he would talk to people from all walks of life ranging from Donald Trump to tramps on the street, and he was one of the kindest people I have ever met and always helping people less fortunate than himself where possible.

During his retirement years he spent his time reading from his vast historical library and listening to music ranging from classical to rock, his favourites including David Bowie and Jimi Hendrix.

Roger liked debating and arguing and was a free spirit to the end who I shall sorely miss!

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15 December 2025

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