National Media Museum Trip

Posted by Glyn Wade

After months of planning and people dropping in and dropping out of the trip and selling tickets to others we finally nearly all made it onto the coach to the National Media Museum in Bradford. All seats were sold but a few were vacant as we set off on the first frosty morning of the Winter.

The journey to Bradford was relatively quick but, as we saw the museum up ahead, we were diverted in the opposite direction. No this wasn’t the wayward navigating by Ken we suffered when we went to the South Lakes Zoo but the fact that someone hadn’t thought about us when they organised a running race through the city centre. After a detour we managed to get within a few hundred yards of the museum and walked the rest of the way only slowing down as we saw a cyclist get knocked off his push bike and then roll round the floor with the technique of a professional footballer.

Now, if you haven’t been to the National Media Museum, you’re missing out. It’s a splendid multi-floor museum covering many forms of media from the internet, TV, film, video games (an original Space Invaders machine to play on!) and, of course, photography.

Apart from my lunch which was a curried pork stew without curry or pork in it,* we had a splendid day. A lot of the exhibits are things to do, or things to watch so there’s plenty to keep you busy for a good few hours at least.

They have the original Smash advert robots, a Dalek, Sputnik cameras, visiting exhibitions, an original Pong to play on, old adverts to watch, Felix the cat clips (this made Claire VERY happy), a TV studio where you could go in front of a blue screen and punch Teletubbies and a news-reading studio…etc etc! There is also a cinema or two plus an IMAX screen so there’s no chance of getting bored. I could go on but you’re better off having a look at their website while I continue with the story of the day.

So we got back to the coach and people found their things had been moved around….food was in the wrong bags etc……and then came the announcement…..the coach had been broken into while we were in the museum. Some scummy druggies were apparently looking for valuables and scattered foodstuffs across the coach as they searched. We thought nothing valuable had been left but sadly later discovered that a set of car and house keys had gone missing. I mean, what was the point you filthy slimeballs? You could see the coach was from Stoke so why bother nicking the keys you repulsive cretins?

The traffic and roadworks on the way back exacerbated our sullen moods and put a dampener on our day. It’s a shame some selfish gits can ruin what was a fantastic day out as hopefully you can see from the pictures. Do go and visit the museum though, there’s lots going on and it’s free to get in. Just be careful where you park….and do NOT have the curried pork stew….although I can’t see it being on the menu again after the comments card I filled in…..

* Apart from the bland food I had and Shane left most of, all other food was described as lovely and the flapjack I had later was exceptional. The coffee was good too and the service was excellent.