“Wallace and Gromit present….a World of Cracking Ideas”
Centre For Life, Newcastle
While a trip to The Centre For Life is a great day out in itself, the added bonus of their latest addition - “Wallace and Gromit present….a World of Cracking Ideas” – will certainly be up there as one of this year’s must visit attractions
Although the aim of the exhibition is primarily to encourage any would-be inventors of tomorrow, and to emphasize the need for Patents, this is all done in an interesting, informative and educational way.
From a full sized 1960s style kitchen – complete with brands that took me back to my childhood (Chiver’s Jelly reminding me of proper Sunday teatimes with paste sandwiches sliced diagonally and Ken Dodd’s Diddymen) to Wallace’s own inventions including a TV remote – Tellyscope – which requires more than a couple of AA batteries and many more in-between.
Alongside these, creator Nick Park has also donated actual sets and household items used in making films such classics as “The Wrong Trousers” and “A Matter of Loaf and Death”
All housed in a full-sized replica of 62 West Wallaby Street where they called home (W&G not The Diddymen) this is a must-see for fans whatever their age.
With so many things to see, do, draw, colour and play it’s a great day no matter what the weather.
And that’s before you venture into the Planetarium, Science Theatre or 3D Deep Sea Motion Ride….
About Craig Marsden
Having blogged a number of times in recent years, I suppose I must be something of a veteran. From musicals to museums, stand-up to Salsa, Ive certainly covered the region in the name of art and culture (Oh dear did I really say that?)
Ive been married to Tricia for 20 years and been a big Middlesbrough FC fan for even longer (Its the pies)
I have two children, Alex 13 and Becky 17. (OK then offspring as "children" is pushing it a bit) Ive lived in the Stockton-on-Tees area for the majority of my (nearly) 50 years except for a time in the late 60's when we upped sticks (our furniture was in a poor condition back then) and moved to South Africa with my dads job.
A housing officer for 16 years with a local housing company - a job I thoroughly enjoyed thanks to the variety of issues such a position entails and I've been an active Freemason (funny handshake n all) for nearly 20 years. Being an avid reader (non-fiction) life is certainly busy when it also includes a lively Golden Retriever called Oscar, being largely involved with my sons football team - Stockton Rangers - and writer for the 'Boro fanzine - Fly Me To The Moon -the worlds longest running apparently.
I enjoy all types of music genres from Gilbert O'Sullivan to The Undertones, Squeeze to The Beatles, Peter Skellern to Aztec Camera. And while I wasnt a great lover of English Literature at school (ok then, i'll admit i hated it) I have done a total u-turn, attending poetry slams and readings from poets as diverse as Roger McGough, John Hegley and Pam Ayres (dont scoff - shes been around the world and has never worn a pair of overalls)
My favourites films include The Life of Brian, Its a Wonderful Life and Who Will Love My Children (yes, I do cry like a baby but who doesn't?)
Im a huge Lee Mack and Arthur Smith fan, while my favourite TV shows are Early Doors and The Wonder Years (how cute was Winnie?)
I hope you enjoy reading my blogs - if you do tell your friends, if you dont, shut up! No, really, please feel free to add a comment - good or bad (not too bad though. My artistic bent is far too fragile and insecure to handle negative critisism)
Enjoy....
Up The Boro!
I just added your blog site to my blogroll, I pray you would give some thought to doing the same.