Light Entertainment

A few years ago, I came upon this lovely counter box of pocket torches or 'Sparkle Novelties' as Ever Ready named them. I vividly recall going into a bike and hobby shop in the sixties and seeing these on display in the shop and taking a shine to the rocket version. Despite droping several hints, it didn't appear in my christmas stocking that year!

Still, decades later, here they are. Some had been sold before the box had been put away in a stockroom, to make way for other glitzier fare, but the contents were, apart from a little dust, as good as new. Two types are included, a clown and a simple rocket and inside each is the instruction sheet and a plastic sleeve from an Ever Ready HP7 battery. HP7's were the forerunners of todays 'AA' size, so all the torches work perfectly with a new battery.

Pressing the red engine or the clowns feet, makes simple contact with the circuit and the pea bulb in the front lights up. Classic simple fun for an xmas morning.

Of course the grandaddy of 'torch' toys is the Merit Space Pilot gun, an elegant, deco styled pistol, with changing colour lights, sound buzzers and trigger action.

Kevin Davies recently picked one up at auction and decided to build himself a full size version of the pistol too!

Here we can see the original and kevins mighty upgraded version! Shine a light!