WJVintage September 2021 Newsletter

WJVintage Sept 2021 Newsletter

Welcome to the September edition of the WJVintage newsletter.

This month sees a rather remarkable milestone being reached, and one which would never have been given a second thought a couple of years ago. I refer of course to my return to Toy and Train Fairs after a period of 18 months absence due to the Coronavirus pandemic. It was certainly nice to be back although I think attendance at Sandown was well below the norm. Scroll down to the Out and About feature for full details.

Like many of you, I suspect, I am still somewhat torn between the need for caution and the need to get a degree of normality back into our lives. There is no doubt that society is opening up again, plans for meets and events are now really picking up pace. I’m pleased to say that the ‘See Us at Shows’ section towards the end of the newsletter is getting longer each month. Hopefully I will get a chance to catch up with some of you ‘in the flesh’ again over the coming months – fingers crossed!

The change of emphasis of the ‘What’s New’ feature last month was a great success with virtually all the pre-owned items selling out. Little did I know at the time what else was heading my way!

As many of you will know, the Reverend Alan Cliff sadly passed away in 2020. His family have now started the process of selling off his substantial train collection and I have been asked to assist with parts of this.

Do take a look in the ‘What’s New’ feature for the substantial list – something for everyone springs to mind!

All the other usual features are also included so enjoy your read Please continue to stay safe and …

Keep Enjoying Your Trains 1

Out & About

Sandown Park Toy & Train Fair, Esher, Surrey, Saturday 18th September 2021 The last event I attended prior to this one was the TCS Spring Show on 14th March 2020, just a week or two before our first lockdown here in the UK. It was great to get back into the swing of shows after a full 18 months’ break.

In many respects it was like we had never been away. Certainly the 6am alarm clock was just as annoying as ever! Upon arrival I was a little concerned that there were less exhibitors than usual but once inside it seemed to fill up pretty quickly, with perhaps just slightly more space between stalls than we have come to expect.

Certainly, word got around that there was a decent queue of customers waiting to get in prior to opening at 10:30am, so that was certainly a positive start. All in all, we had a fairly good day. Most people were pretty sensible, and a good number (probably 50%) did wear masks (just not in my photo above I have realised). We had a bottle of hand sanitiser on the stand, and it was used fairly regularly by people. It was a decent turnout for a first event but not packed buy any means, and certainly by about 2pm trade died off quickly – which is unheard of for Sandown pre-Covid.

Turnover was probably about 50% compared to an average pre-Covid Sandown but actually, I wasn’t too bothered. It was nice to be out again and talking face to face with customers. Fingers crossed this is the beginning of a more normal future.

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An ‘Out & About’ Opportunity Brighton Toy & Model Museum, Saturday October 16th

Deep within the arches underneath Brighton Mainline Station, there is a little gem of a place called The Brighton Toy and Model Museum. Regular readers will have seen over the years my reports on many a fabulous day enjoying train running on the simply superb, traditional 3-rail O gauge layout that forms the centrepiece to the entire museum.

Chris Littledale had the original vision and founded the museum back in 1991 and he, together with a hardworking team of trustees and volunteers, has built it up into probably the finest museum of its type in Europe, if not the world!

2021 marks the 30th Anniversary of the museum and a very special anniversary celebration has been announced in the form of a ‘Special Train Running Day’. This will take place on Saturday 16th October 2021 at the museum, in Trafalgar Street, Brighton. You can find full details in the advertisement below, and also by scrolling down to the ‘See Us at Shows’ section towards the end of this newsletter.

If you have never been to the museum, this may be just the opportunity you have been waiting for, especially as two new locomotives, plus a special surprise are promised for the day. And remember, the museum is not just about trains. It contains a vast selection of all types of toys going back decades, so it is a real trip back to childhood days for all the family.

I thoroughly recommend it as a great day out. Access by train is of course the best way to get there as it is literally right below Brighton Station.

I hope to see you there!

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Customer Corner Breakdown Cranes – Again!

Every now and then I have conversations with customers about the old Hornby Dublo Breakdown Crane, and how good one would look in O Gauge. Some months ago, I did indeed feature a one-off O Gauge model of such a crane and received several positive comments back from enthusiastic potential customers for a ready to run, commercially available version.

Well would you believe but I have had two conversations with customers in the past few weeks where this very subject has once again been raised.

Many thanks to Graham Sumner for his outside the box thinking and some interesting leads to 3-D printing companies who might prove the

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solution to the tooling cost issue that always raises its ugly head in relation to very low production quantities.

Thanks also to Andrew Spooner who just happened to mention whilst collecting some purchases from me that he had recently bid for, and won, an O Gauge Breakdown Crane at auction and was about to travel from Cambridgeshire to Sussex by train to collect his purchase.

Naturally I was keen to see photos and he duly came up with some.

So, just to whet your appetites again, here are some pictures of Andrew’s latest acquisition.

‘Photos attached of the breakdown crane and kit I purchased at Wallis & Wallis auction house in Lewes. It is plainly an up scaled version of the Hornby Dublo 5

set and not a commercial model but a 'one off'. I have changed the wheel sets on the vehicles as the 'back-to-back' fouled on the guard and wing rails and it runs very well. The usual set up as shown in the photos with the jib resting on the bolster wagon cannot be put together due to the coupling length so i will replace the couplings from the crane to the relieving wagons (is that the description for them?) with a solid fixed coupling. The centre wheels of the crane need replacing as the rollers as opposed to wheels short out on the live rail through the points, only momentarily so do not affect anything. The only repair is to straighten up the roof over the cab.

It looks like a Cowans Sheldon’

…And by Complete Coincidence Brian Edinboro from Grantham spent a day at the Nene Valley Railway over the August Bank holiday weekend and just happened to send me the photo below from his visit.

Do you think someone is trying to tell me something??

I have been to the NVR many times but have never spotted this breakdown crane. So, if I were to contemplate making one I have the real thing as reference some 6 miles down the road!

Whilst at the NVR, Brian also snapped a very welcome visitor, namely Jubilee Class 45596 ‘Bahamas’, which only returned to steam in early 2019 after a full boiler overhaul which began way back in 2013. What a lovely loco!

Thanks to Brian for sending in these great photos.

If you are out and about and you happen to take some interesting photos, do please consider sending them in, they will be very much appreciated.

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‘What a Picture, What a Photograph!’

Well, here is something you don’t see every day – a locomotive flying through the air over a cliff face! And this is for real! It is in fact a shot of a stunt from the forthcoming ‘Mission Impossible’ film starring Tom Cruise.

The action took place at the former Darlton Quarry in Stoney Middleton, Derbyshire on a set that had taken months to construct. Sadly, filming 7

was delayed for quite a long time due to Covid 19 but was eventually able to take place on August 20th, and apparently Tom Cruise watched the entire stunt from his helicopter hovering overhead.

The really strange thing about this whole scene is the locomotive itself.

Thankfully, from an enthusiast point of view, it was a self-propelled mockup built especially for the film and not a real engine. However, in the film the action is supposed to take place in France. But the mocked-up locomotive is based on a Britannia Class to which they then added extra parts, to give it a more continental look. It begs the question why didn’t they mock-up a continental loco? Who knows? Especially when the cost of the mock-up alone is estimated to have been several million pounds!! It surely wouldn’t have cost any more to get it right.

It is also ironic that preservation groups in this country scrimp and save and raise funds for years (decades even) to be able to do what Hollywood does in the blink of an eye – and then destroys in another blink Oh well, it makes for a great photograph, and it is probably worth looking out for the film launch which is scheduled for September 2022, if only to see how the train sequence looks when the film makers magic is applied.

What’s New? Mineral Wagons Update

This month I am delighted to be able to report some real progress on the Mineral Wagons. In fact, it’s more than progress, as the first production batch is due to leave Prague any day now and I am excited to show you the very first production photographs!

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These fabulous new wagons incorporate several firsts for WJVintage 1) The bodies are resin cast on a metal frame in order to keep the weight down. They still have a very solid feel but also very ‘haulable’.

2) They incorporate a brand three-hole new disk wheel for authenticity 3) They also come as standard with the new shorter and less obtrusive droplink coupling. I await your feedback on this. If they are as successful as I think they will be, then they may become a standard part going forward.

4) These wagons have been developed in collaboration with Michael Foster and will be available exclusively through WJVintage It does look as if the first batch will be in Bauxite only, so those that have ordered just the grey, or a mix, will have to wait just a while longer, but they should start to come through in quantity over the next couple of months. `

Prices for these mineral wagons are £39.95 each for a single wagon and £150.00 for a set of 4 wagons, both plus P&P. Coal loads will also be available, but pricing is still to be confirmed – should be around £5.00 each plus P&P.

The Ivatt GNR/LNERC1 Class 4-4-2 Atlantic Update

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Good news - I am pleased to say the response to the new C1 Atlantic remains fantastic and you will note below that I am now very close to sold out of the GNR version Not so good news – As reported last month, sadly I have had word from ETS that the Coronavirus pandemic will affect the delivery date of the Atlantic. I am really sorry, but I think it is now very unlikely we will see these before the new year as more than one supplier of materials has had problems with staff isolating leading to severe production delays.

Naturally we will do all we can to minimise any delays but to a large extent this is out of our hands. I will keep you posted via future newsletters.

Meanwhile here is a list of stock still remaining GNR – 3 pieces LNER early saturated – 5 pieces LNER later superheated – 10 pieces BR – 5 pieces Please don’t leave it too long if you are contemplating one of these lovely locos – get your pre-order in now to secure (no deposit required).

All Atlantics are £695.00 plus P&P

Well Wagons Update

All the Well Wagons have now been received and have been selling very well indeed. I have to report that I am sold out of GWR and I have just a few left of LMS and SR. If I have not yet been in touch with you about your order, I apologise. I will get to you as quickly as possible – unless of course you are also waiting on other items such as loads or Tar Wagons, in which case I may be waiting on all items coming in so I can send together.

SOLD OUT

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All Well Wagons are priced at £99.00 plus P&P Available liveries – LNER, LMS, SR, BR, WD Full range of loads are also available – See July 2021 newsletter for full details.

Rectangular (Tar) Tank Wagon Update The Smith & Forrest and Yorks & Lincs Tar Wagons have now arrived, and I have distributed these as best I can, bearing in mind that many customers have 2 or more tar tanks on order and are waiting to ship all orders together. The next batch will be here very soon and will be the WD wagons, which are now sold out.

The delays have been down to shortages of various materials in the Czech Republic. Covid has hit them hard and there is a lot of ‘catch-up’ being played now that restrictions have lifted.

All Tar Wagons are priced at £48.00 each plus P&P Available liveries Smith & Forrest, Shell/BP, GWR – all other liveries are now SOLD OUT

WJVintage 10th Anniversary Commemorative PO 7-Plank Wagon I am devastated to report that my limited edition 7-plank 10th Anniversary PO wagon in WJVintage livery is going to be late. There was a quality issue with the varnish finish on the printed wagon sides and between me, and ETS we took the tough decision to reject all the sheets and start again. It certainly wasn’t taken lightly but I have to say it was the correct decision as I most certainly want this very special release to be of top quality.

SOLD OUT

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So, thanks all for your support, and now for your patience as we work hard to get these wagons re-printed and shipped as quickly as possible.

They are of course SOLD OUT, but ETS have promised to try to produce a few more so any further enquiries are being added to a waiting list and if they can send me some extras then I will release them to those on the list.

I will update on delivery as soon as I have news. Finally, as a reminder, the price will be £39.99 each plus P&P.

The Alan Cliff Collection As I mentioned in the introduction, The Rev Alan Cliff, creator of the childrens’ story books about ‘Jack the Station Cat’, sadly passed away in 2020 following a long period of poor health (non-Covid related).

His family have been meticulously cataloguing his huge collection of model railway items and I have been asked to sell part of the collection.

Alan was a very good customer, and I can remember selling him quite a few items on this list, many of which I suspect were never run!

The list is long, and I confess I have not had time to photograph it yet.

However, I have managed to list and price the items as you will see below.

If there is anything of interest, please get in touch and I will get photos taken and sent to you as quickly as possible. Obviously, I will have to operate on a strictly first come, first served basis as these are all one-off items.

Item No. 22 27 28 76 79 80 81 99 113 114 115 127 141 142 144 145 146

Description Seven Mill Ivatt - LMS Powell & Market San Francisco Tram ETS 0-4-0 loco Hoesch WJV Adams Radial LSWR Pea Green ETS 0-6-0 USA Tank LMR ETS 0-6-0 USA Tank Southern Railways Dapol Class 08 0-6-0 Diesel BR (early crest) Green Spectrum United Traction Co Tram Car Midland Rly 6 wheel clerestory coach WJV West Park Dairy 6-Wheel Milk tank ETS Express Dairy 6-Wheel milk Tank WJV GWR Hopper Wagon Ace LSWR coach Set Ace LMS coach Set WJV GWR Choc/cream Autocoach Ace LBSCR Coach Set Ace CR Coach Set 12

Price £ 495.00 65.00 95.00 395.00 325.00 325.00 175.00 65.00 35.00 40.00 40.00 35.00 150.00 150.00 165.00 200.00 200.00

Notes

Includes crew figures

159 160 162 183 197 222 223 224 225 231 237 241 242 243 248 249 253 263 282 284 292 293 294 295 296 297 298 299 300 301 314 318 319 321 325 342 343 356 357 373 395 400 402 409 410

WJV Colman's PO Wagon Ace LNWR TPO Bernard Ridgely Colmans Van Ace LNER Dynamometer Car (B Wright Overlay) Bassett-Lowke BL Green PO Wagon WJV Sherwood PO Wagon WJV GWR Hopper Wagon WJV Black Park PO Wagon WJV GNR Bogie Brick Wagon Ace Brake Van Horton/Wessex Colmans Van ACE trains LNWR 6W full brake Ace Palethorpes 6-wheel van (B Wright Overlay) Bassett-Lowke BL Brown PO 3 plank Wagon & load Ace Palethorpes 4 wheel van Ace LSWR 6-wheel van Ace 3 x tanker set Ace LNWR 3rd Brake 6-wheel van Darstaed Suburban 3 piece coach set Ace Metropolitan 3 piece EMU set Darstaed 2 coach GER set (with horsebox missing) Darstaed LBSCR 3-piece coach set Darstaed GCR 4-piece coach set Darstaed Metropolitan 3 piece coach set x 2 Darstaed Metropolitan 3 piece coach set Darstaed LSWR 2 piece coach set (1 missing) Darstaed GCR 3-piece coach set Darstaed Water Pumps PO Van Bachmann Brassworks unpainted tank wagon IBI (Spain) Fyffes van Corgi Leyland Beaver WJV WW1 Tank Wagon (57) Darstaed Express Dairy tank wagon Ace Palethorpe's Van Highfield LNWR Composite Coach Darstaed 2-6-2 Great Western WJV Sentinel 0-4-0 Shunter GWR Darstaed 1st/3rd Composite coach Ace Trains LMS Travelling Post Office 30233 Merkur CSD Wagon WJV 14XX GWR 0-4-2 Highfield LNWR 1st/3rd Composite Coach 2 x Mr Cat litho LMS corridor coaches British Railway Modelling Van Darstaed Rowntrees Van 13

30.00 80.00 40.00 225.00 50.00 30.00 35.00 30.00 70.00 40.00 35.00 50.00 100.00 40.00 35.00 45.00 90.00 50.00 180.00 425.00 needs clean up 90.00 200.00 200.00 400.00 400.00 140.00 300.00 35.00 40.00 35.00 12.00 Missing Crates Load 35.00 35.00 35.00 55.00 295.00 250.00 65.00 140.00 25.00 325.00 55.00 140.00 25.00 35.00

414 424 425 454 460 462 463 464 465 466 467 468 469 471 472 473 474 475 476 497 501 511 512 513 514 517 518 521 522 523 530 544 558 560 568 571 572 582 585 586 599 604 611

Hungarian Penzverde mixed set CSD 8-wheel tender CSD 0-4-0 shunter Ace Trains 3 x CR Coach Set Darstaed Pullman Zena Darstaed Pullman Parlour Brake 3rd Ace Trains GWR Full Brake Darstaed LMS 1st/3rd Ace Trains LNER Gresley 1st/3rd Ace Trains LNER Gresley 1st/3rd Ace Trains GWR Full Brake Darstaed LMS Clerestory Roof 1st/3rd non corridor LNER Gresley Corridor Brake Darstaed Pullman 'Michela' Parlour Darstead Horton Ever Ready Van Darstead Horton Weetabix Van Ace trains LMS Corridor Full Brake Hawkins Bazaar Railroad Handcar Tony Blur PO Van ETS Castrol Tank wagon (modified) Darstaed Melrose Tea Van Sutcliffe Valiant Battleship Ace Trains 3 x LNWR Coach Set Highfield 2 x LNWR Coach Set Ace LMS 3rd Class Directory Series 4-6-0 LNWR Queen of the Belgians LMS 3F 0-6-0 Ace Met Pullman Parlour 'Galatea' Ace Met Pullman Parlour 'Mayflower' Darstaed LT Brake 3rd 497 Sutcliffe 1938 Chris Craft Race Boat Hornby No.2 County of Bedford ETS mech & Tender ETS Terrier GWR Portishead ETS Diesel 0-4-0 Shunter J Stephenson GWR Steam Motor Coach Mr Cat graphics Darstaed 4 x FR Coach Set WJV GWR Diesel Parcels Railcar Darstaed FR 6-wheel full brake Rail King MTH Southern 0-8-0 Switcher Corgi LMS Set Ferris Fast Electric Parcel Van WJV LNER Sentinel 0-4-0 Y3 Shunter MTH NYC 0-4-0 Dockyard loco

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180.00 20.00 90.00 200.00 80.00 80.00 60.00 60.00 60.00 60.00 60.00 60.00 60.00 80.00 30.00 30.00 60.00 20.00 25.00 35.00 35.00 120.00 Almost mint boxed 200.00 110.00 60.00 325.00 275.00 90.00 90.00 70.00 150.00 Almost mint boxed 325.00 275.00 75.00 250.00 Brian Wright 280.00 375.00 45.00 200.00 10.00 250.00 250.00 70.00

More Great Pre-Owned Offers!

It is certainly a month for bargain hunters and here is an opportunity to own a beautiful Bassett-Lowke loco & coaches set with a bit of a story behind it.

Bassett-Lowke BL99012 BR (ex LMS) 4-6-0 Re-built Scot No. 46102 'Black Watch' with 3 x Ace Trains BR Blood & Custard Coaches in a black wooden display case.

This superb set belongs to Terry Fox, for many years my colleague at Corgi, who became the development engineer for (Corgi) Bassett-Lowke following Len Mills’ departure. Shortly after purchasing the set, a customer called that had a damaged tender on his own Re-built Scot. At that time. we had no spares available so Terry valiantly offered the tender from his set as a replacement. The idea was that Terry would get a replacement from China – eventually. Sadly, that never happened, and he was left with the incomplete set. When he asked me some years ago if I could sell the set on, I felt sure that a tender could be found but, as it happened, that proved easier said than done! However, by chance, I recently came across the exact same tender in absolutely mint, unused condition so the set is now complete again.

I have only opened parts of the set to show in these photos. It is otherwise completely unused and unopened, a real time-warp piece.

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The coaches come complete with nameboards and alternative wheelsets for 2-rail operation.

The only negative point to make clear is that, from new the wooden display case was of a quality that I would describe as ‘not entirely fit for purpose’. The wood is of dubious quality and tacked together with a few panel pins. I would not risk mounting this to a wall without first making efforts to reinforce the joints with a decent wood glue and possibly a few more panel pins.

That said it does make for a really impressive set featuring one of the nicest, and best running locomotives, of the modern Bassett-Lowke (Corgi Leicester) era. Plus, it represents a unique one-off collaboration between Bassett-Lowke and Ace Trains.

Only 350 pieces of this set were produced, and I think you will do well to find another in this virtually unopened/totally unused condition.

As such, I think the asking price of just £550.00 plus P&P is also very reasonable

Ace Trains BR 2-6-4T – BR (early crest) lined satin black, R/N 42534 Surprisingly, this was the only loco offered last month that did not sell. It is used but in excellent condition with just a tiny mark (indentation?) on the left side of the tank (circled in the photo below left). It is designed for 3-rail operation only and has an isolating switch in the bunker. The box is good, and instructions are included but no lamps or cloth. It’s such an impressive looking loco, in my opinion!

Price is £525.00 plus P&P

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Bassett-Lowke BL99072 7-Plank Wagon NE 1 x Used but good with good box and moulded Coal Load £28.00 plus P&P 1 x Pre-owned but looks virtually unused £28.00 plus P&P

See us at Shows I am pleased to report that some major shows restarted during August and more local HRCA meeting dates are now being added. Sadly, I couldn’t make the September TCS Show but I was at the Barry Potter Sandown event in September and plan to be at all the October-Dec events listed below. Of course, this could all change if infections, hospitalisations and deaths start to rise at an alarming rate, but for the moment we are riding it out in the hope of herd immunity given we have such a large proportion of the population fully vaccinated. More news as things progress, over the coming weeks and months.

Subject to confirmation, below are our forthcoming shows: Saturday October 2nd – HRCA Autumn Extravaganza of Trains British Motor Heritage Museum, Banbury Road, Gaydon, Warks, CV35 0JB 10:00am to 3:00pm Monday October 4th – HRCA Cotswolds Group Rye Hill Golf Club, Milcombe, Banbury, OX15 4RU 3:00pm to 8pm - £6.00 entry but no hot food, bar facilities available NOTE: To be confirmed, please check with me before travelling.

Saturday October 9th – Bassett-Lowke Society Running Day Cowper Arms, Station Road, Digswell, Hertfordshire, AL6 0EA 10:00am to 3:00pm Saturday October 16th – Brighton Toy @ Model Museum 30th Anniversary Special Train Running Day Trafalgar Street, Brighton BN1 4EB – 10:30am to 5:00pm, entry £10 adults, £5 children Saturday November 6th – TCS Autumn Show Trinity Methodist Church Hall, Narborough Road, Leicester, LE3 2RD – 10:00am to 4:00pm Saturday November 13th – Sandown Park (Barry Potter Fairs) Sandown Exhibition Centre, Sandown Park Racecourse, Portsmouth Road, Esher, Surrey, KT10 9AJ - 10:30am to 3:00pm Saturday December 18th – Bassett-Lowke Society Running Day Cowper Arms, Station Road, Digswell, Hertfordshire, AL6 0EA 10:00am to 3:00pm 17

Don’t forget to like our WJVintage Facebook Page With over 500 Facebook ‘likes’, the WJVintage page is almost as popular as this newsletter! That said, many subscribers on Facebook are associates, friends and family with a passing interest in what I get up to – so not my key target audience.

However, it keeps growing and all the latest news is often seen on Facebook before it appears in the newsletter as updates can be done instantly rather than monthly. If you are a member of Facebook, why not look us up and give us a ‘like’?

Plus, we also now have a ‘YouTube’ Channel!

I have to confess, after a good start, the channel has been quiet for a while but I am pleased to say that a new video of the Atlantic running has now been posted.

I am hoping that this will be the first of many and that the videos will be able to recommence on a more regular basis over the coming weeks as Covid restrictions ease. I am working with my son to produce and post another video update over the coming weeks - I’ll keep you posted.

Ordering from WJVintage is Easy Online Please use the WJVintage website as a shop window and then place your order by using the dropdown menu on each product page to select and submit the item you wish to purchase. This automatically sends me your details and I will be in touch to confirm your requirements and take payment. Alternatively select what you want and then give me a call or email me. Whichever method you use I will get back to you asap and I can confirm stock, particularly for highly limited items, and postage options. Please see below for full contact details.

Credit Card We have a credit/debit card facility, so you can telephone and place your order with us by calling 07711 092497 – please have your card to hand when calling.

Cheque If you would prefer to pay by cheque, that is no problem either. Just download the order form from our website and complete your 18

requirements. Then make a cheque out for the total and post both order form and cheque to us at the address shown. Please make cheques payable to WJVintage.

Email Alternatively, you can place your order by email and payment can then be made either by card, PayPal, direct bank transfer or cheque. Please note our email address is: wjvintage@outlook.com BACS A growing number of customers are now choosing to send money direct to my account by BACS transfer. If you would like to use this method, please contact me and I will send you my bank account details.

Stay Safe Everyone!

Paul WJVintage

********* Tel: 07711 092497

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