Joyce's Column: September

Joyce’s Column: September

Well, I see Kilney Court Hotel in Wigan is very much in the news at present due to the fact it is being used to house asylum seekers. Seeing it on the news brought back some happy memories of when Kilney Court was owned by Rodstock and of my many visits to it for numerous functions. I remember being there one evening with quite a crowd from the industry as we had been at an early evening show there and at midnight we were all still around and they decided to serve sandwiches and drinks. Everyone was tucking into these except for me as I don’t eat butter or spread on my sandwiches – I just don’t like it. Denis Roden noticed this and asked why I was not eating. When I told him, he did none other than go into the kitchen himself and came back with a rather large plate of sandwiches he had made for me – yes with his own fair hands! He ordered me then to eat and enjoy, which to be honest, I did!

That ever smiling and happy chappy Andrew Murden sent me the following photograph as he knows my long-standing affiliation with Ireland and the Irish and their sense of humour. I have to say I did find this photograph funny and typical Irish humour. Just keep them coming Andrew, they brighten up our lives and good to see you still have your sense of humour too!

I was chatting with David Bellis of Innovative Technology recently and he told me has been invited by Mr Abe of Asahi Seiko in Japan to be a guest speaker at a get-together. David says he helped them set up their company some years ago and has always had a great relationship with them. Apparently Mr. Abe is 95 years of age and he still goes to work every day. What a tenacious man he must be and one full of character.

Many of you around will know Ray Elston who for many years has been a supplier and operator of amusement machines. He turned 80 years old on 23 September and I am sure Roy that those of us that do know you wish you many happy returns. Just think in another 15 years you will be 95 like Mr Abe!

Talking of birthdays, I understand that David Snook reached a new decade recently as well – yes the 90s decade like Ray and there was a party held at his home for around 150 guests. Some of those invited from the industry included David Bellis, Stan McKenna, Steve Kalton, John White, Martin Burlin, Ray Wells, Alan Parker and many more. The InterGame team was present we were family and friends/neighbours – who are of course the most important as then they can’t really complain about the noise! I am led to believe that Indian street food was served along with a great variety of drinks and a great time was had by all. Anyway David – belated birthday wishes!

Many thanks to PST’s Kris Bannon for the lovely thank you card that she sent to me. This was thanking me for the article I wrote about their company a couple of months ago and she really appreciated it. I appreciated your card too and it’s nice to know that the work I put into the column is appreciated.

Coralhaze was a company that was a great part of this industry for many years and this was run by husband and wife team Dave and Judy Anderson and their son James now works at BANDAI NAMCO. Dave and Judy closed Coralhaze some years ago now but still keep in touch with the industry obviously via James, my chat column and other old industry friends. Judy and I were in touch recently and I found out about something that happened to her. She tripped on the drive at home and went to A&E where she was told she had fractured the neck of her humerus and this was why she was in so much pain. They also told her it would be a long healing process. Judy had to have x-rays, scans and goodness knows what else and it still hasn’t been determined if it will heal itself, or she will have to undergo surgery. At the moment she feels she is virtually living at the hospital as she has been there so many times. And to make it worse she can’t drive and she is only allowed to travel to the hospital and nowhere else. I feel so sorry for you Judy, and I send my best wishes to you for a speedy recovery and hopefully no surgery and I am sure that many people in the industry that know you would also like me to extend their best wishes to you on their behalf.

Return to the previous page

27 September 2023

See all news...