The National Museum of Penny Slot Machines

[slotalot]

I am currently researching The Original, “National Museum of Penny Slot Machines” that once stood on Birnbeck Pier in Weston Super Mare.
I am trying to find unpublished photos of both the pier and the museum from that time. My efforts are on behalf of “The Friends of the Old Pier Society”. All information will be passed onto Peter Lander, the society's archivist.
I know that some of the older members will remember it, and may have visited it in person. Have you any photos from that time that you will be willing to share? This was an important time in the history of our hobby and needs to be documented before it vanishes altogether.
As some of you will know, the museum was started by John Hayward and Clive Baker. Sadly, John is no longer with us, but I have spoken with Clive and put him in contact with Peter Lander. Unfortunately, Clive didn’t take many photos, but he has shared some of his memories and experiences from that time. Not all of them were good.
Photos are no good locked away in a cupboard.
Please share if you can.

[slotalot]

Sorry I forgot to add a link to their website, in case you wanted to know more about it..
http://www.birnbeck-pier.co.uk/

[arrgee]

Well done Stuart................. still into slots then

[slotalot]

Hi arrgee, yes, still lurking in the background. It's a dirty job but someone has to do it.
Just hoping that some of the old guard on here can help with my latest quest.

[slotalot]

thankyou to a slottie friend of mine who emailed me this photo.
You know who you are!!!
I hope this isn't all that remains of this important time in our hobby.

[treefrog]

We had discussed the pier on the below thread, although I have no more pictures, but had already shared the lonely Aristocrat mechanism then.

Birnbeck pier Weston-super-Mare

[slotalot]

Thanks for that Tom. I live in hope that someone will have some new stuff tucked away.

[slotalot]

just thought I would bump this back to the top of the page, just in case anyone missed it first time around..

still looking.

[slotalot]

a little bit of good news about Birnbeck Pier.
https://www.facebook.com/TheBirnbeckRegenerationTrust

[arrgee]

Yes, saw this on the news Stuart, glad to hear that it may finally be saved after all these years of dereliction

[slotalot]

Yes, saw this on the news Stuart, glad to hear that it may finally be saved after all these years of dereliction

it's taken some time, but should be able to see things starting to happen soon.
They have a webcam so people will be able to track the progress.
https://www.birnbeckregenerationtrust.o ... KdE-rQaRRU

[slotalot]

Just a reminder to the members of Pennymachines, we are still looking for photos of the original National Museum of Penny Slot Machines from its time on Birnbeck Pier.
The museum was set up by Clive Baker & the late John Haywood. Very little is recorded from that time. With your help we can make that right.

I can share with you some of the things I have managed to find over the past 12 months. There must be more out there. Please help if you can.

The pictures show the entrance to the museum and also a copy of the poster. The poster was designed by the late John Haywood. The news clipping shows Mike Mercado, also known as the singing monk, stealing the limelight and claiming the museum as his own.