Kellner's Fireworks
http://www.kellfire.com/fireworks.html
Kellner have been in the fireworks game for almost fifty years and will
ship to anywhere in the world. You can order its catalogue online, but not
its products. Although if you really want to save money, you might be better
off sourcing them directly from China.
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Yossie's Handcuff Collection
http://www.blacksteel.com/~yossie/hcs.html
Yossie's collection suggests he has more on his mind than a love of
police work and all manner of restraining devices like leg irons, head cages
and belly chains feature alongside an array of shiny handcuffs. An explanation
is almost forthcoming if you visit Yossie's own home page as he has a penchant
for leather, a moustache and includes some family snaps of his boyf Mel.
Escapology it is not, but it's actually rather absorbing comparing names,
designs and manufacturers, and you can bet your life looking at this site
always draws a crowd.
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Where To Fish
http://www.where-to-fish.com
As someone who would rather pull out her own toenails than go fishing,
I was pleasantly surprised by this site. It's lovely to look at and is packed
with information about where to fish (including a huge database on rivers
in the country), including a huge database, to which you can add your own
information. The database covers England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Northern
Ireland and various locations abroad. There are also plenty of links to
other fish-related sites to help you get the rest of your tackle sorted
out.
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VoodooVoodoo
http://www.mja.net/yoodoovoodoo/
From the country that brought you the pet rock, here comes an anatomically-correct
voodoo doll. Yoodoovoodoo will help you get back at the ones you love to
hate. Is this site for real? You decide, with its digital equivalent of
bad-taste junkmail, using none of the technology. The doll itself is heralded
as a genuine product of revenge and the 90s, implements of torture and noose
included in the $18.99 price tag. Illustrated by two of the world's unphotogenic
models, (probably the marketing boss's niece and nephew) who somehow manage
to convey bad acting in a still photograph. The Addams Family lives!
Top of Page |
UK Stamps and Postal History
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Martin_Nicholson/
If stamps are yer thang hang out at this site brought to you by Martin
Nicholson. This no-nonsense home page brings you an extensive contact list
of stamp clubs and philatelic study groups throughout the UK (no links just
addresses though).
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The Stonehenge Association
http://www.stonehenge-association.co.uk/stonehenge/
Bog standard site more concerned with getting you into the gift shop
than providing enlightenment on dippy druid pre-historic stones. A shoddy
excuse for selling visitor information and access to 'world heritage'. Leave
well alone.
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The Official
Tony Hancock Appreciation Society
http://www.ncl.ac.uk/~nnac/
Tony Hancock Ü comedy genius, sitcom pioneer, a man of great pathos
or an overrated drunk? All except the latter according to the members of
this society, which was founded to promote, publicise and keep alive Hancock's
work, as well as to collect and classify it all for the benefit of members.
Highlights include an online version of the society's newsletter, called
Internet Ham, which brings news of rediscovered Galt and Simpson scripts,
Paul Merton's Hancock remakes (his wife Caroline Quentin plays the part
of Sid James!) and a Hancock statue to be unveiled, rather aptly, outside
a blood transfusion centre in Birmingham. Other areas are for talking about
favourite Hancock episodes or documenting the work of other actors he collaborated
with. Details of scripts, books and THAS and BBC cassettes can also be accessed.
It's all appropiately dour and rather downbeat.
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The Kite Society of
Great Britain
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/kite_society/
If the wind ain't right, visit this well wicked site, loaded with info
on competitions, festivals, FAQs, archives and news. The top pages are pretty
texty, but there are unusual kite designs and flying tips, plus lots of
links. Who said you need chemicals to get high?
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The Joy of Painting
http://bobross.com/
A Nancy Kaminsky for the Nineties, this is the home page for TV's art
class past master, Mr Bob Ross. Here's how to paint a mountain or some scrawny
looking sunflowers using Bob's very own wet-on-wet painting technique. Here
are three different ways to paint rocks and stones. All you need is the
desire to make beautiful things happen on canvas, he says. This man is so
popular they've even declared a Bob Ross Day in Virginia and Florida. Patronising
by numbers, chocolate box pap is what we call itƒ but s'pose it takes
all sorts.
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The Fossil Company
http://www.gold.net/users/dt89/
Why spend time sandwiching yourself between rockie outcrops and nooks
and crannies in out of the way places, poring over the ossified remains
of something millions of years old, when you can buy it straight from a
catalogue? Here the amateur geologist has plenty of rocks, fossils, minerals,
crystals and gemstones to peruse, from the more familiar ammonites and fossilised
fishes to sphalerite from Cumbria, calcite from Morocco, a Corumdum var,
ruby from Madagascar or quartz from Brazil.
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The Action Figure Web Page
http://www.aloha.com/~randym/action_figures/
Only view if obsessed with action figures because highlights include
hundreds of pictures of Hans Solos and Darth Vaders, with more Marvel Superheros,
Batmen, Supermen, Aliens, Predators, Droids and Ewoks than you can shake
a stick at. For information on the latest Cyberforce figures release (to
include Ripclaw, Ballistic, Megawatt, Killjoy and Psychotron), for example,
check the news and rumours section for updates from Kenner, McFarlane Toys
and of course Mattel. It's very difficult to judge this page (it seems fairly
mediocre) unless, as with the action figures, you truly appreciate their
appeal.
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The 80s Server
http://www.80s.com/
If you like to spend your time dressing up in frilly-shirted, manfully-skirted,
flicky-fringed nonsense with a bit of peach blusher and a spot of glittery
eyeshadow, then this is definitely for you. Spin off to a random 80s URL
or match names to faces in the big 80s band trivia quiz. There's also stuff
on films and your favourite 80s icons. At the moment, you may tire after
just one visit, so there's plenty of room for this to develop further. Make
like the Human League.
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Tap Dance Home Page
http://www.hahnemann.edu/tap/ITAhome.htm
No messing with Hollywood glitz and Fred Astaire-type finesse, this
is a basic but pretty comprehensive page of top tap-type information. From
a glossary that defines the difference between your average shuffle and
scuff, cramp roll or ball change, to examples of step annotation, terminology,
books, reference and a who's who in the tap world, this is an always up-to-date,
accurate and lovingly crafted resource that'll keep tap dance lovers on
their toes.
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Robot and Space Toy
Collector's Page
http://www.virtual-pc.com/brianh
It's not difficult to imagine Brian Hayes compiling these fantastic
pages sat amongst the loose screws, burned out batteries and rusty hinges
of his favourite old robots and broken wind-up toys. The pages are as lovingly
put together - including some good use of frames - as the robots he restores.
For anyone at all interested in the subject, Brian has compiled practical
information on hunting them down, repairing them and buying replacement
parts. There's also a brief history and a listing of some of the more collected
space toys (including pictures).
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Read My Lips
http://www.fred.net/karina/vent.html
Who'd have thought it Ü a ventriloquist's home page? However, it's
one in real need of some UK input. Amongst the explanations, recommended
books to read, listed organisations and jump off points to other puppet
pages, where is there a mention of some of the greatest dummies of all time
- Ray Allen and Lord Charles or Keith Harris and that stupid duck Orville?
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National Reamers
Collectors Association
http://www.his.com/~judy/reamer.html
Just to get things straight, a reamer is what we in the UK call an orange
squeezer. In the States, however, reamers are being touted as the ""great
American kitchen collectable"
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Land of the Lunchboxes
http://www2.ari.net/home/kholcomb/lunch.html
Sandwiches safely stowed in a shiny lunch box with Hong Kong Phooey,
Penelope Pitstop or the Hair Bear Bunch on the front. Land of... is pure
70s school break nostalgia...like dinner ladies, scabby knees, 'three and
in' and kiss chase.
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JiveNet
http://www.u-net.com/~moonweb/jive.html
If you fancy indulging in some 50s throw-back fun and games, JiveNet
is a jumpin' guide to the British lindyhop, jive and swing scene. Along
with the excellent SwingTime newsletter, there's a rundown of all the latest
glittering party-time events, the odd rock 'n' roll weekender and various
retro nights going under the names of Stompin' and The Hep Cat Club. Currently
dancin' to a London tune, Paul and Steph Smith are aiming to strengthen
coverage for the rest of the UK and, boy, when that happens, it'll really
swing.
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International Brotherhood
of Magicians
http://www.magician.org/
Hey Presto! For those that thought that IBM was that big monolithic
computer company you're in for a surprise. The International Brotherhood
of Magicians has 14,000 Paul Daniels-wannabes worldwide. Although there
are no big secrets here, there are details on getting your IBM MasterCard.
I'm more interested in getting my hands on the latest issue of their magazine
which has Cori and Channing Pollock on the cover, who are apparently 'great
magicians and dove manipulators'. Abracadabra and all that.
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HomeArts
http://homearts.com/depts/fresh/newhome.htm
Offering a charming, post-War feel to problem-solving around the house,
this magazine publisher has developed a truly refreshing platform for showcasing
the combined expertise of Good Housekeeping, Country Living and Popular
Mechanics. Let's play house.
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Handwriting -
The Inner Secrets Revealed
http://www.u-net.com/~andyhunt/hwa1.htm
Graphology Ü the inner secrets revealed. Into closed loops and
multi-directional slants? Then here's the site for you. Submit online forms
by answering set questions about your handwriting, and presumably revelation
comes winging back like a boomerang with attitude. Okay, I know some corporations
rely on this stuff and I'm not gonna knock itƒ but, hey, the page is
crap too. No graphics, a couple of handwriting examples, site layered like
an onion, and the only access was via Andy Hunt's Home Page. Begs the question...
in this computer era, who's doing keyboard analysis?
Top of Page |
Hand writing site
http://www.hy.com
Handwriting can, apparently, reveal many things about you, your life
and even your most intimate thoughts. This site reveals what your handwriting
says about you and more to the point, how you can detect qualities in others
through their scribblings. There's also an analysis of celebrity handwriting.
The likes of Sting, USPresident Clinton and Ernest Hemmingway all have their
writing read.Other features at the site include how your handwriting can
provide insights into your relationships, and career choices. It's not all
analysis though, you'll also find an online game in which you guess a person's
character from samples of their handwriting. That does it for me, I'm typing
all my letters from now on!
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Firewalking Home Page
http://heartfire.com/firewalk/homefire.html
Having established that skin chars at a temperature of 325 degrees Fahrenheit,
the next question is firewalking Ü why? A shit hot site on the lunatic
pastime of hot coal hopping. Build a bonfire. Watch it burn. Rake out. Then
run like buggery without going 'ooh-ooh, Mr Peevley' and 'ouch'. This has
the full 'out of the frying pan' philosophy Ü basically it's a breeze,
you just put your mind to it. Having said that, the instructors stress that
this site is for information only and please don't try it at home. Adding
a whole new meaning to the word 'hotlinks' Ü phew what a scorcher of
a site!
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Fine Cut
http://www.rmplc.co.uk./eduweb/sites/terrymen/movie1.html
If you've got more than enough home movies of granny's birthday (not
to mention the embarrassing barbeque that you'd like to forget) and you
feel it's time to stretch your talents further, then take a look at this
site. It's dedicated to camcorder enthusiasts and includes hints, tips and
articles on movie-making. There's a list of organisations to contact, information
on film and video festivals, video editing advice, book reviews and music
copyright advice. Cut!
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Elvis International
Postage Stamps
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/joTCBuk/
Especially for fans of both the King and philately, Josephine Woodward
of Canterbury has listed Elvis commemorative issue stamps from 23 countries.
It's a commendable effort but unfortunately she doesn't cater for fans of
the visual image and the shortage of graphics on this site inevitably forces
one to mark it 'return to sender'.
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East Kent Morris Men
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/p_thomas2/ekmm.htm
If you indulge in the odd spot of mumming and hoodening, then this is
the page for you. The be-handkerchiefed ones have pranced their way across
the Channel in a ferry, in the Channel on the Goodwin Sands and under it
in the Tunnel. Their latest aim is to dance over the Channel in a plane.
There are links to other Morris sites and details of forthcoming events,
which all seem to revolve around pubs! Sounds good to me...I'll just go
raid the hankie drawer.
Top of Page |
Dale & Angies Kinder
Egg Site
http://www.rose.com/~claw/webpage/index.html
I want something exciting and a toy and some chocolate.""
""But that's three things - it's just not possible!""
Oh yes it is, with this tribute to Kinder surprise toys. Who hasn't felt
that exciting rush once you've eaten the chocolate egg and are just about
to prise open the little plastic capsule? You can swap toys with other visitors
to the site and even get spare parts for toys that are slightly the worse
for wear. Need a new undercarriage for your violet camper? No problem.
Top of Page |
Cheerleader Central
http://www.cheerleader.com/
Welcoming passers-by with come-on pictures of lasses in scanty panties,
Cheerleader Central is dedicated to the talented and beautiful women of
professional cheerleading, but actually it's a shamelessly commercial site
punting US football fan gearƒ sweatshirts, leotards, and, yes, calendars.
Top of Page |
Charlie's Sneaker Pages
http://www.neosoft.com/~sneakers/
Fuelled by the recent old school revival, everyone is starting to take
an interest in sports shoes' recent past. Trainers will soon be a specialist
subject on Mastermind as overcome with nostalgia we all fondly recall the
peer-pressured purchases of our early teen years. There's lots to look back
on at Charlie's dappy looking site, for example Converse Chuck Taylors,
the Adidas Superstar, the first Nike Air Jordan and horrid LA Gear hi-tops.
But Charlie is into his subject and tries to provide a well-rounded approach.
You can jump off to sneaker sites from others, as well as the present-day
styles featured on company sites like Planet Reebok.
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Bloomfield's British Heritage
http://ds.dial.pipex.com/town/plaza/rbc88/brass.htm
A pic of an original rubbing taken from a monumental brass of an early14th
century knight sets the scene for this British heritage page-o-brass. There's
simply not enough info here for those already hooked on lifting images from
tombstones and there's not enough of an enticement of the joys of rubbing
to lure in the uninitiated.
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The Meccano Home Page
http://www.users.dircon.co.uk/~erebecca/
Freakish masonic behaviour with perforated metal struts is the stock
in trade of the International Society of Meccanomen, which put together
this site. A bit wordy, lacking in diagrams and instructions, but well engineered
nevertheless. This hardly challenges the boys-with-toys stereotype, but
what does that matter? The most fun to be had with a screwdriver and a spanner
Ü not!
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The Game Shelf
http://www.usa.net/~rfinn/gameshlf/gameshf.htm
Trainspotter selection of American board game collectibles consisting
mainly of overlarge box lid graphics and obscure descriptions of game play
(usually involving paper and pencils). On show are practically antique versions
of Bagatelle, Cowboys and Indians, The Toonerville Trolley and National
League Ball Game. Purely specialist interest and with a puzzling page about
jigsaws, as in why? Also a few experimental Java applets Ü a word search
puzzle and little board game. Be big and brave Ü they crashed my machine.
Top of Page |
Fine Cut
http://www.rmplc.co.uk./eduweb/sites/terrymen/movie1.html
A must-see site for camcorder enthusiasts and home movie makers that
includes a masterclass for novices as well as more advanced articles on
technique. It has advice on copyright clearance, reviews of reference books
and a list of venues that might be interested in showing your work. There's
even an item on the much maligned reputation and dodgy image of the amateur
movie maker Ü seedy serial killer types with a penchant for homemade
porn Ü not!
Top of Page |
HomeArts
http://www.homearts.com/homepage.htm
Offering a charming, post-War feel to problem-solving around the house,
this magazine publisher has developed a truly refreshing platform for showcasing
the combined expertise of Good Housekeeping, Country Living and Popular
Mechanics. Let's play house.
Top of Page |
National Rifle Association
http://www.nra.org
It's actually a revelation to see just how this organisation works.
OK, so it's not a hobby, it's a political crusade, but there are hundreds
of files relating to stories of a citizen's right to bear arms. Scary stuff.
Top of Page |
Carousel!
http://www.access.digex.net/~rburgess/
Fancy rescuing a merry-go-round? This site is for those who are into
restoring old fair ground rides. Ultimately it will build into a centre
for the appreciation of carousel history and art but for now there are some
nice pictures and links to magic roundabouts elsewhere.
Top of Page |
Web of Lost Souls
http://www.jr2.ox.ac.uk/~nowen/index.html
Defying easy categorisation, the Web of Lost Souls is the official page
for horror hellraiser Clive Barker. A model example of everything a fan-based
site should be, it includes information on the books, the films, the fan
club, comics, artwork and collectors items...just about everything discussed
in DREADnet, the Barker boy's own discussion group.
Top of Page |
Cockrell Antiques
http://www.ftech.net/~cockrell/index.html
It seems sort of strange that the extremely old is being flogged by
the ultra hi-tech. This is a UK firm dealing in antique furniture, books
and records. All stock is pictured, priced and can even be shipped overseas.
If you live in London or the South East, they'll clear your house for you.
But compared to this, browsing round markets will never lose its charm.
Top of Page |
The Elks Home Page
http://www.elks.org/
The Elks are an established American, male-bastion-type institution,
kind of like the Masons meet the Round Table. There's lots of information
on what exactly they do and which lucky charities get their patronage. No
pictures of men in funny horn-shaped hats. Shame.
Top of Page |
Tupperware
http://www.uslink.net/TW/kathy.html
Far from being the frumpy essential for every '50s American housewife,
Tupperware is currently the ultimate in contemporary nineties catering.
Go see!
Top of Page |
Sea Cadet Corps
http://eleceng.ukc.ac.uk/~pm1/seacadet.html
Extensive adventure information for marine boys and girls.
Top of Page |
Rollercoaster
http://www.echonyc.com/~dne/Rollercoaster!
An inviting B-movie graphic gets you into this smart and scary Rollercoaster
site. From the Spleen Shredder to the Crystal Beach Cyclone, all the information
here was acquired in the quest for the most terrifying ride.
Top of Page |
Origami Page of Edward
Crankshaw
http://vislab-www.nps.navy.mil/~ejcranks/origami.html
Lovingly crafted pages for paper folders with ham-fisted fingers. History,
tips...more pictures to come and the sweetest ever origami gift that Edward
made for his wife.
Top of Page |
The Plastic Princess Home
page
http://deepthought.armory.com/~zenugirl/barbie.html
An online zine for adult fashion doll collectors devoted to the plastic
beige babe herself, Barbie. Worshipped worldwide for her kitsch collectibility,
there is, apparently, a very healthy collector's market for fans of Ms Mattel.
Seen here in her many manifestations, like Medieval Lady Barbie and Dorothy
Doll with Toto, the accompanying articles are also unmissable - 'Barbie
under Fatwah' and 'Barbie: the lesbian exposÚ'.
Top of Page |
Viewmaster
http://www.teleport.com/~shojo/View/vm.html
A celebration of a great American pastime and invention Ü those
slide viewer things where all the pictures came on a circular disc of card.
In later years the Viewmaster became more of a throwaway child's toy but
this site contains an archive of the original educational and informative
National Geographic-type reels.
Top of Page |
The Page at Pooh Corner
http://www.public.iastate.edu/~jmilne/pooh.html
A few copyright problems have hit Winnie the Pooh fans on the Net, as
contrary to popular belief, the copyright has not yet run out. Everyone
has been severely told off and are rebuilding their pages. However, if you
fancy a game of poohsticks this place is as good as any to start. Links
to newsgroups, a mailing list and FAQ on the subject of the Bear with Little
Brain.
Top of Page |
British Amateur Astronomy
http://www.emoticon.com/emoticon/astro
Enthusiastic amateur astronomists have long enjoyed an established bulletin
board network in the UK. The development of an organised Web presence means
top links for fledgling space cadets eager to train their telescopes on
local clubs and societies, popular periodicals and all things sky at night.
Top of Page |
Drummer's Web
http://valley.interact.nl/av/musweb/DRUMWEB/home.html
This should perhaps find its way into the music section. It is, however,
an upbeat (boom boom) collection of articles, interviews and small ads for
people who are passionate about drums and percussion. Look in the section
for flogging equipment if you're searching for a set of congas or desperate
to buy Mick Fleetwood's drums.
Top of Page |
The Chess Connection
http://www.easynet.co.uk/pages/worldchess/home.htm
If chess makes you think of moody Eastern Europeans or dweeby misfits
in specs, think again! Witty, accessible and wide-ranging, this site caters
for the grandmaster as well as the novice. It's got up-to-date media coverage
of competitions, features on game play and how to write a chess book and
make loads of dosh. Its off-beat editorial covers sexy chess openings and
celebrity challenge contests. If you play chess, check it out.
Top of Page |
Delta Tango
http://www.dungeon.com/~deltatango/homepage.html
Terry Cooper's home page gets its name from the Delta Tango Sidebanders
Club, a kind of late 70s pirate radio thing going on before CB was licensed
in the UK. Strangely, this fact bears no relation to what's up here. Terry
is a man obsessed by genealogy, amongst other things, and includes various
tips and links for those finding family trees.
Top of Page |
Eddie Stobart Appreciation
Page
http://www.comp.lancs.ac.uk/sociology/fun/stobart/
Haulier, Eddie Stobart, is a cult hero to those who spot his big green
trucks on the open road, but what started out as an innocent game of i-spy
has all gone horribly wrong.
Top of Page |
Stampworks of Florida
http://www.easynet.co.uk/stampworks/home.htm
This site brings you the crazy world of rubber stamping for all your
rubber stamping needs. A complete catalogue of life's special moments in
My Little Pony graphics and Partridge family speak.
Top of Page |
Astral Projection
http://www.lava.net/~goodin/astral.html
Don't go out of your mind, go out of your body. Here's how to do it,
and get back in one piece.
Top of Page |
Trading Card Dealers
http://www.webshop.com/collectors/cards/dealers/
Find that elusive baseball, soccer or phone card using this US dealer
directory.
Top of Page |
Juggling Information Service
http://www.hal.com/services/juggle/
If you're one of those people who think that, along with fire eating,
juggling as a pavement pastime should be banned then go on to the next review.
Just about every conceivible link and piece of information on juggling is
parked here, including teach-yourself tips, clubs, societies and festival
information, as well as where to buy balls, clubs, torches and spinning
plates.
Top of Page |
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