THE LEEDS LIBRARY

Remember the scene in Harry Potter when he turns off the hectic shopping street and into Diagon Alley?

Well that happened to the Missus and me today. We'd booked a tour around the almost-hidden Leeds Library, the oldest subscription library in the UK.

Opened in 1758 Leeds Library is like a wooden-festooned time capsule stuffed with old tomes along hanging balconies.

We were gobsmacked by the contrast between the bustle of the busy city streets with the peace and quiet of this secretive Library.

So, entering a real wizards' alleyway, we saw spiral staircases....

Shelves of books from floor to ceiling.

Beautiful bookcases.

Thousands of hardbacks including familiar titles. Tales of the Unexpected!

Wooden ladders and high windows.

Marble mantles and clocks.

A basement like a labyrinth.

Stacks stored below the floor.

Old editions waiting to be rebound for posterity.

Serried spines as far as the eye can see.

Weighty folios piled in corners.

Then more familiar names. I saw the TV version of the Green Man only this Autumn.

Massive ledgers heaped to the rafters.

and then back upstairs to the public space.

Flecked with tables and chairs.

A place to unwind and read.

Alcoves and lecterns among the books. 

The Golden Bough, Frazer's famous writings about myths and symbolism.

Sit and leaf.

Where, in the reading room, silence is the norm.

And then back out of Leeds' own Diagon into the modern world and its surging storm.

Have you been anywhere startlingly different like this readers?

JADA HARRY POTTER

Hi

I just found another Hollywood Nano Rides set from Jada Toys. While most of the die-cast Nano Rides sets of mini models contain three vehicles, this Harry Potter set only has two. 

The famous flying Ford Anglia from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, and the very tall Knight Bus from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

These are mounted in a clear plastic blister, on a backing card that shows a young Harry Potter in his Hogwarts robes. Made in China.

The Anglia is light blue with a white roof, silver trim, and red rear lights. The windows are printed on in black. Black plastic wheels.

The triple-decker Knight Bus is purple, with black and silver detailing, and silver printed windows. The destination boards are white on black - Knight Bus at the front, and All Destinations (nothing underwater) on the sides and at the rear. Black plastic wheels.

Beautiful little models.
Paul Adams from New Zealand

Castle Wizard

Yesterday me and the missus visited Alnwick castle in the ancient county of Northumberland in Northern England.

The castle is still completely intact and home to the current Earl. His family have lived there for hundreds of years. The grandeur of its interior is eye watering. Bristling with hung Canalletos and Titians and 14000  antique tomes, it is a fitting home for aristocracy. I did however, as I always do in such country piles, feel for the tens of thousands of ordinary subjects throughout history on who‘s shoulders this grand mound stands.

Modern barons have to make a living and Alnwick has been hired out. Blackadder has been shot there but it’s most famous turn is as Hogwarts in the first two Harry Potter films. Judging by the number of excited youngsters thronging on the grounds it was easy to see the attraction. There was even a broomstick flying lesson going on, as well as an impressive falconry display. Kids everywhere had either swords, wands or even plastic Potter broomsticks. Dumbledore wandered through at one point.

But it has to be said that Alnwick castle hasn’t flaunted its famous link. It’s quite subtle and the main dragon Expo is a separate ticketed feature.

Even the town doesn‘t get too excited like say Whitby does with Dracula. I did see a stack of hardback Harry Potter books at £10 each in a Charity shop. It really could be Hogwarts Central if it wanted and I‘m sure the throngs of adoring HP fans would come running.

Have you been to a castle readers? Do you like Harry Potter?

MY FAVOURITE CAULDRON

I see a lot of cauldrons around these days. In toy shops and bubbling away on those magic goth crystal shops that are in most town centres somewhere.

One H. Potter has a lot to do with the rise of the cauldron as a desirable object among kids and here's one such pot.

But my own favourite cauldron has to be one from my own childhood and from a similar craze to Potterdom. Yes, the monster craze and out of it crept Aurora monster kits - including The wonderful Witch.

I can almost feel that lumpy surface on the Witch's cauldron, what with snakes and bats in there. Mine went really dusty. 

What a fabulous kit all round, the details of which are still vivid in my mind like the snake wrapped round the hearth joist and the flaggon on the small chopping table. And who can forget the drip on the big spoon!

The Witch on Bama's box art was always way better looking that the plastic hag herself. The box witch was almost a babe and with a bit of foundation could have been Elkie Brooks.

I had the Witch until 1980. I left her behind when I left home. I miss that Witch and her cauldron.

Mine was the Glow in the Dark version.

Do you have a cauldron in the home and do you know a Witch?

HARRY POTTER ON TATOOINE

I've been discussing Harry Potter recently with someone who knows all 7 films well.

Its a convoluted tale of good and evil and mushroomed into a monster since the days when I saw the first 2 films starring an adolescent Danny Radcliffe.

Valdemort, Dumbledor, Slitherin, Gryffendor, Hagrin, Hermione, Weezley and the Potters all waltz around each other in a delirious dance of spells and sorcery.

It reminds of the extended Star Wars story-arc with all its rebellious twists and turns over the many galactic films.

Valdemort as the Emporer, Harry as Luke, Hermione as Leia and Dumbledore as Obi Wan!

I've never brought any Potter merchandise home I don't think. Not even a single wand. I can imagine though that Potter stuff will be collectables of the future.

Have you come across any Potter collectables?