Comments on: Hockley Abbey, Birmingham, West Midlands.

By: Editor

Editor — Sun, 11 Jan 2026 12:07:27 +0000

In reply to TOM GARDNER. Good afternoon Tom. Thank you and all best wishes for 2026. There are more revellings in the past to come in the year ahead.

By: TOM GARDNER

TOM GARDNER — Sat, 10 Jan 2026 20:24:18 +0000

TOM (NYC)
ONCE AGAIN, YOUR OFFERING OF YET ANOTHER VISUAL OF: ‘THAT WHICH CAME BEFORE’, YOU HAVE ALLOWED US TO … REVEL IN THE PAST.
YOU DO SUCH A SPLENDID JOB OF IT.

THANK YOU FOR STARTING OFF, OUR NEW YEAR – SO WELL.

TOM

By: Editor

Editor — Sat, 10 Jan 2026 13:06:32 +0000

Hello Gand (and N.). The UC and I thank you for your good wishes.

By: Gand

Gand — Sat, 10 Jan 2026 12:51:04 +0000

A good measure of the year to come. Rathbone or otherwise.
HNY to FF and UC. May you get your kicks in 2026.

By: Editor

Editor — Sat, 10 Jan 2026 12:31:04 +0000

In reply to Gwyn Headley. Thank you Gwyn. I have my grandfather's leather-cased linen measuring tape, and I ran upstairs to see if it was Rathbone, but sadly not. It's still a treasured possession though. Pleased to know that your family heirloom was put to good use in Harlech.

By: Gwyn Headley

Gwyn Headley — Sat, 10 Jan 2026 12:21:11 +0000

Absolutely fascinating as always, and an excellent start to the New Year.
I was wielding my leather-covered 66ft Rabone tape measure on TV a few years ago, measuring Ffordd Pen Llech in Harlech on its way to winning the Guinness World Record for the world’s steepest street. A woman rang the TV company to complain I’d stolen her tape measure. “I live in Harlech and my tape measure’s gone missing and that man was using it on TV,” she complained. “He stole it.” No I never, missus! It’s been in the family for over 100 years. And it’s good to know there’s a folly link. I’d post a picture if I could.