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Pete - The BAYKOMAN

Well, I've been asked to add a few personal details to the website, so here goes. This is a simple(!), potted [potty?] history, to give you some information on your illustrious webmaster.

April 5th, 1950 : - I was born in Blackburn, Lancashire in Northwest England.

1954 : - I began to attend Saint James' Church of England primary school in Blackburn.

My first girlfriend was Lynne. She had a red cardigan! I was 4 years old at the time!

Christmas 1956 : - At the ripe old age of 6, I received my first BAYKO #2 set and the addiction began.

1961 : - I walked 3 miles [5K] a day, [yes we walked in those days!], for the next 6 years, across [and back!] Corporation Park to Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Blackburn [always known as QEGS] - a spell that included the school's quatercentenary…

…that's posh for its 400th Birthday!

August 1964 : - I went with Dave Watt, a neighbour who, coincidentally, was staying in the same hotel, to see [and hear!] the Beatles while on holiday in Llandudno, in North Wales…

…I've still got both the programme and my ticket…

…I may be open to an offer‽

Somehow during this period, perhaps in the mistaken belief that I was growing up, I discovered these strange things called girls and stopped playing with my BAYKO…

…I know, I can't believe it either!

June 1971 : - I graduated from Durham University [England's 3rd oldest] in Northeast England. If you are interested, I was at Grey College, if you're not, I was still at Grey College!

October 1971 : - I joined Littlewoods, the retailer, and worked for them, for 5½ years, in Gateshead, Glasgow, Islington (London), Kirkby (Liverpool), Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Oldham, Stockton and Sunderland stores and finally in the Liverpool H.Q., which, being on Old Hall Street, is very close to the Plimpton era BAYKO factory sites, one of which, though long gone, was actually on Old Hall Street.

1975 : - I resumed the one true religion [BAYKO of course!] while enduring a severe bout of Laryngitis…

April 1977 : - I joined KELLOGG's and worked for them ever since, in the Manchester and Wrexham factories then, more recently, in the one time European H.Q. in Manchester.

I travelled regularly to our European Plants in Bremen (Germany) and Valls (Spain) and our U.S. Head Office (Battle Creek, MI) - occasionally, I even got to Springs (near Johannesberg, in South Africa). I also visited Svendborg (Denmark), Lancaster (Pennsylvania), Omaha (Nebraska) and London (Ontario).

February 2nd, 1980 : - I got married to Diana [née Ashworth], a Wrexham lass, but of Lancastrian stock - we've no kids.

March 1986 : - We moved to a lovely new [to us] home in sunny Macclesfield, Cheshire.

June 30th, 2005 : - I retired - Yiippppeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! I actually spent my last couple of working days in Spain, so started my retirement with a short holiday there. For those of you who have any doubts - don't - retirement is wonderful, I'd do it again if I could!!!

May 28th, 2007 : - I moved to Congleton, still in sunny Cheshire.

2012 : - I joined the U3A [in Congleton] - a very good move, which I can't recommend highly enough.

2013 : - Sadly, I am now divorced.

I'm a member of the National Trust and English Heritage and often combine jaunts to Toy Fairs with visits to local places of historical interest.

2016 : - I played my first game of Bridge for Congleton - we lost - but we won the South Cheshire Bridge league for 2018-2019!

1998 : - I played a significant role in identifying BAYKO's 'Holy Grail'.

This was, perhaps, the key event in my BAYKO collecting career - sad, but true!!!

The pieces in question - the Balcony Pieces [right].

If you'd like to read the full story…

If you'd like to find out more about Blackburn Rovers [and who wouldn't‽]…