I'm indebted to Philip Page, proprietor of the splendid Bling Bling Bling jewellery and piercing emporium on Margate's lower high street, for his excellent research in finding this clip.
If you've ever wondered why there's a pub on Margate front called The Mechanical Elephant, it's because Margate used to boast a, er, mechanical elephant. Here it is in its full, petrol-propelled pachydermic glory on a 50s Pathè newsreel (complete with clipped tone commentary), trundling up and down the prom:
Astonishingly Britain used to lead the world in the production of mechanical elephants. This one was later sold to the late, great, dearly-departed Peter Sellers as part of his eccentric collection of automobilia.
The location appears to be the Rendezvous car park area, where the Ike and Tina Turner Centre is planned. Perhaps fittingly, many cynics have already described the proposed art gallery in elephantine terms, by the expedient of merely substituting the adjective 'white' for 'mechanical'.
Update: Talking of the Turnip, I see TC director Victoria Pomery recently gave an in-depth interview about the whole debacle to Building Design. Click here to read on.
2 hours ago
Posts
12 comments:
For anyone who recalls true British motor engineering at its best if you look closely at the footage you can see it's already dripping oil!
Eek! that caused a flash back!
Wasn't the road from the Clock Tower to High Street nicknamed Elephant Hill?
Yes annon 6:30, opposite Boots on the corner once stood the Elephant pub. One of many pubs that disappeared years ago that cannot be blamed on the smoking ban.
27 mph! imagine trying that today... great clip and full marks to Mr Page for hunting down that clip.
What would health and safety have to say these days eh? It would be a non starter.
Not to be confused with the elephant and castle which is an English corruption of enfant de Castile
Woop! Woop! Thanks Mr Rich and thanks Mr Bling for posting something marvelous fromm Margate's past. I've always said they should bring back more of Margate's marvellous heritage. Brilliant find.
Please bring it back as soon as possible it looks great fun . what with the Ramsgate midgets I think we could have a success on our hands in Thanet's revival.
At 27miles per hour even our most experienced arsonists would have a problem torching it, although I am sure they would rise to the challenge. I noticed it did not have tusks had they already been pinched ?
Reading the update of the interview with Victoria Pomery about the Turner was interesting.
You do not have to read between the lines very hard to see that she thinks the councillors both local and county are a bunch of morons, and that the new design is mediocre, and has nothing to do with its location. I loved the line about the pitched roof, why not say it has windows and buildings in Margate have windows so it is heavily influenced by the architecture of Margate.
Any interesting iconic building usually has a difficult birth, think of the Dell a Warr Pavillion in Bexhill or the Sydney Opera House both were derided at the time but are now vital to the image of both places. The new design is dull but I guess it can be turned into a Primark with the minimum of effort
The blog entry above is very interesting. They have very well elaborated the items. I really love the above blog entry. And I have found a nice link. I have found great website for nice and beautiful Jewellery website. It has nice Styles and good product. They carry many items which are unique and handmade and also some trendy. They have sterling
silver Gemstones Handmade Jewellery. And also they have white gold 18kt Diamond Jewellery with Ruby, emerald and sapphire. You can visit them here www.riyogems.com/index-1.asp or www.riyogems.com please visit online shopping section and you can securely use your credit card to order the goods. The entire items are made in India.
black mold exposureblack mold symptoms of exposurewrought iron garden gatesiron garden gates find them herefine thin hair hairstylessearch hair styles for fine thin hairnight vision binocularsbuy night vision binocularslipitor reactionslipitor allergic reactionsluxury beach resort in the philippines
afordable beach resorts in the philippineshomeopathy for eczema.baby eczema.save big with great mineral makeup bargainsmineral makeup wholesalersprodam iphone Apple prodam iphone prahacect iphone manualmanual for P 168 iphonefero 52 binocularsnight vision Fero 52 binocularsThe best night vision binoculars here
night vision binoculars bargainsfree photo albums computer programsfree software to make photo albumsfree tax formsprintable tax forms for free craftmatic air bedcraftmatic air bed adjustable info hereboyd air bedboyd night air bed lowest pricefind air beds in wisconsinbest air beds in wisconsincloud air beds
best cloud inflatable air bedssealy air beds portableportables air bedsrv luggage racksaluminum made rv luggage racksair bed raisedbest form raised air bedsaircraft support equipmentsbest support equipments for aircraftsbed air informercialsbest informercials bed airmattress sized air beds
bestair bed mattress antique doorknobsantique doorknob identification tipsdvd player troubleshootingtroubleshooting with the dvd playerflat panel television lcd vs plasmaflat panel lcd television versus plasma pic the bestThe causes of economic recessionwhat are the causes of economic recessionadjustable bed air foam The best bed air foam
hoof prints antique equestrian printsantique hoof prints equestrian printsBuy air bedadjustablebuy the best adjustable air bedsair beds canadian storesCanadian stores for air beds
migraine causemigraine treatments floridaflorida headache clinicdrying dessicantair drying dessicantdessicant air dryerpediatric asthmaasthma specialistasthma children specialistcarpet cleaning dallas txcarpet cleaners dallascarpet cleaning dallas
vero beach vacationvero beach vacationsbeach vacation homes veroms beach vacationsms beach vacationms beach condosmaui beach vacationmaui beach vacationsmaui beach clubbeach vacationsyour beach vacationscheap beach vacations
bob hairstylebob haircutsbob layeredpob hairstylebobbedclassic bobCare for Curly HairTips for Curly Haircurly hair12r 22.5 best pricetires truck bustires 12r 22.5
washington new housenew house houstonnew house san antonionew house venturanew houston house houston house txstains removal dyestains removal clothesstains removalteeth whiteningteeth whiteningbright teeth
Post a Comment