Oh, and another thing

Something very rare has occurred. Usually when small pubs close that is the end of them. However the New Inn on Barnbygate in Newark has reopened after being shut for business for eighteen months.

I haven't told you about the New Inn yet but I will if it stays open long enough. Best of luck to the young guy who has taken over but it may be an uphill struggle. Since closure the pub has lost its darts, dominoes, and pool teams and a long standing fishing club to other establishments. All these activities bring punters in and keep a small local hostelry viable.

Bantam JSJ 207 replaces the Hackney Slasher

What has happened since my last blog entry?

I became sixty on March 7th so will now be eligible for free bus pass and ten percent off at the local DIY superstore. I am almost persuaded to start doing DIY, but not quite.

I am pleased to report that the Hackney Slasher left the McKenny home a week ago. Those of you who have read my previous blogs will recall that the HS is my daughters bad tempered old cat who whilst staying with us has terrorised our two timid and charming feline companions. They will no doubt be receiving PTSD counselling for some time. The HS is now happily settled in her new home in Essex. The local cat community are as yet unaware of what they have got coming.

I bought a BSA Bantam registration JSJ 207. It is supposed to be a 1953 model and I think the frame is but the engine appears to date from 1954. It looks like the original machine could have been a GPO telegram bike if I have understood the frame numbers correctly. Obviously a previous owner had a supply of ex WD green paint which he or she has liberally applied but underneath there appears to be some red. It was last on the road in the Falmouth area of Cornwall. My plan is to return it to a roadworthy condition.

If you know anything about this bike or if you have a BSA Bantam 125cc engine that you wish to dispose of then I would be delighted to hear from you