Mail-order clothing catalogues. Autumn mists have been appearing and there is a new chill in the air. It must be time to begin wearing warmer clothes again. Before the advent of the internet the only alternative to high-street shopping for a warm cardy or thermal long-johns was the mail-order catalogue. Here is a scan from my own collection plus a short strip inspired by these musty old publications.

Derelict Odeon. Out of town cinema multiplexes replaced cinemas long ago in smaller towns. This sorry looking monolith in central Hartlepool was once an Odeon as you will see from the familiar '30s outline and faded ghost-sign. It seems there was an unsuccessful attempt to turn it into an 'American Bar' (see Pool/Snooker sign) and its frontage seems to have been host to a number of shops now abandoned and crumbling. One faint shop fascia which caught my eye was for the Tan Ya Hyde solarium. Not the most classy of shop names in which to top up your George Michael bronzing. The whole building is now in such a state of decrepitude that pigeons have occupied its upper storey and the damp rot is undulating into interesting underground-cavern patterns. Its a safe bet this place will be un-used for a little while longer...

Derelict Methodist Chapels. As a follow-up to my earlier Primitive Methodist post here are two empty and boarded-up Methodist Chapels within walking distance of each other in Hartlepool. I love these simple barn-like Victorian buildings. I wonder how long ago they were full of song and activity?

Disappearing Phrase. A variation on having a "loose slate" or being "a sandwich short of a picnic."

Andy Capp statue. I took a trip today to see a bronze tribute to that great northern cartoon character Andy Capp. The five foot high statue is situated outside a pub named The Harbour of Refuge in Hartlepool.

Capp's creator, Reg Smyth, lived in Hartlepool though his strips (in print since 1957) have been translated all over the world. Apparently in Germany Capp is called Willi Wakker and in France Andre Chapeau.

Some photos from todays trip above and also a classic strip and two early book collection covers for good measure.

Primitive Methodist illustration. This drawing appeared in The Sound Projector music magazine issue 10 way back in 2002. The North East has many 'Primitive Methodist' chapel buildings in its landscape, most now closed or converted into houses. I was interested to read that the Primitives were also known as 'ranters' or 'shouters' because of their noisy and often open-air hymn singing. The Primitive chapel goers were also known for acceptance of women preachers, teetotalism and a form of Christianity attuned to the needs of labouring people.

Hand Painted Sign site. TypArchive is an image library with a simple mission-statement which Bagnall's Retreat can heartily endorse: "Amidst a landscape of vapid malls and sterile (computer) signage, hand-painted lettering retains an aesthetic to be treasured..."

You can also contribute your own photos of the fading art of hand lettering. Take a look here...