INTRODUCTION

This section will include items which relate to Bandalasta in real life. Any references to Bandalasta in literature, film, tv or art will be included here. Any anecdotes or stories, about Bandalasta, photo's of people using, making or having connections with the history will also be included here.

We remember, a few years ago, a Bandalasta picnic set appeared on a TV show. We think it might have been "POIROT" or something like that. Does anyone remember?

A few years ago (well, about 15 or so), we were watching a magazine type programme on TV, that included a bit about the "Bakelite Society" and one of their annual picnics. Accompanying the clip was a song that contained the words "Bandalasta Lingers Longer", again, does anyone remember?

THE FACTORIES

The factory where it all began on Barr Street, Birmingham

Then	Now

A Delivery Van parked outside the old Barr Street factory. (Click on the image to see a larger version). Photo courtesy of Adrian Brookes.

The current home of Brookes & Adams at Shady Lane

ARNOLD E. BROOKES

One time Managing Director of Brookes and Adams, having joined the firm in the early years of the 20th century, Arnold E. Brookes was a significant figure in the history of "Bandalasta" and his designs are amongst some of the best. Illustrated below are a couple of his stunning sculptures, done, we believe, in Perspex, the one on the right is dated 1957. (Click on the images to see a larger version). Photos below taken at Brookes & Adams 2008.

THE 90's TRIALS

In the early 1990s, Brookes & Adams were commissioned to re-create the early marbled colours of "Bandalasta". The mouldings were done using Melamine instead of Urea Formaldahyde and, as you can see from the pictures below, the trials were not overly successful.

BANDALASTA IN ACTION

"Time for a picnic" - On the Road from Cheddar to Wells, July 1934

BANDALASTA IN THE ARTS

BANDALASTA ON EVEREST

Bandalasta made it onto Everest on the 1933 expedition led by Hugh Ruttledge.

"The mess tent was pitched in the courtyard of the rest-house, the three-ply tables rigged out, and the bandalasta ware arranged in all its orange glory. Tenchaddar, our principal chef, was closeted in anxious conclave, hours in advance, with Shipton the mess secretary. Our small supply of Johnnie Walker was ruthlessly tapped. The resulting banquet, however primitive in reality, had some semblance of the genuine article, and the evening passed in merriment"

And

"The friendly Dzongpen introduced us to his wife, a lady of much character, with a large black patch on her nose. The patch disappeared later, presumably because our hostess was reassured on the subject of the evil eye. A present of bandalasta ware and a needle-case, and Wood-Johnson's insinuating ways, secured her approval, and things went with a swing."

From - The Long March by Hugh Ruttledge in The Mammoth Book of Eyewitness Everest: Marking the 50th Anniversary of the Ascent of Everest, 32 Firsthand Accounts of the Most Memorable Climbs By Jon E. Lewis, Carroll & Graf, 2003

Also: -

"... Primus stove, water bucket, washbasin, canteen of aluminium saucepans and frypan, knife, fork, spoon and tin opener in a wallet, Bandalasta plate and Mug, butter box, tea infuser, one large and one small provision bag ..."

From - Invisible on Everest: Innovation and the Gear Makers by Mike Parsons and Mary B. Rose, Old City Publishing, 2003

BANDALASTA AT THE ARCTIC

"A few sundries, and my Christmas dinner of tinned haggis, a 3-lb. tinned plum pudding as well as three smaller ones, and a bottle of French Brandy with which to set the puddings ablaze, complete the furnishings of my cellar. Picture me, therefore, on Christmas Day; but I forget-you cannot hear from me till Christmas is long over. I must picture myself on that proud occasion seated at the head of the Baadsmand's board, a few choice spirits (once more including the French Brandy!) gathered about me. On my Bandalasta plates lie the scattered remnants of the haggis."

From - On Greenland's Closed Shore: The Fairyland of the Arctic By Isobel Wylie Hutchison, William Blackwood & Sons, 1930

BANDALASTA IN CRIME FICTION!

"Most of us know what the word means without needing to understand the chemistry of polymerization. Acrylic. Alkathene. Araldite. Bakelite. Bandalasta. Beetleware. Celluloid. Cellophane. Ebonite. Ivoride. Jaxonite. Lycra. Melamine. Mouldensite. Nylon. Parkesine. Perspex. Plasticine. Polythene. Polystyrene. PVC. Rayon. Styron. Terylene. Tufnol. Tupperware. UPVC. Vinyl. Viscose. Vulcanite. Xylonite. We are all familiar with at least some of these"

From - Play to the End, By Robert Goddard, Corgi, 2004

THE MARILYN MONROE CONNECTION (WELL ALMOST!)

We were asked earlier this year (2008) if we could provide a picnic set for use as a prop in a play about Marilyn Monroe at The Theatre Royal, Stratford East entitled "Marilyn and Ella" by Bonnie Greer. Unfortunately, the producer pullled the scene at the last minute.

What might have been!!!!

ANECDOTES AND STORIES

According to a reference in "Made in Birmingham, Ed. Barbara Tilson, Brewin Books, 1990", Mrs. Cafferata, the daughter of Christopher Hughes of Linga Longa fame: - "recalled, for example, that C. Hughes would be sub-contracted by Brookes & Adams for moulding purposes when demand exceeded Brookes & Adams' production capacity."

Incidentally, Christopher Hughes was married to Flora Christine Brookes!

JUST IN CASE SOMETHING TURNS-UP THAT WE DIDN'T THINK OF

It will be included here.

 

 

©2006 - Derek & Lorraine. Contact us at dandl@bandalasta.com