Stephen Jarvis - Bizarre Leisure Book

[dem bones]

Stephen Jarvis - The Bizarre Leisure Book: From the Alan Whicker Appreciation Society to Zen Archery - a Fun, A-Z Guide to 150 Offbeat Leisure Pursuits (Robsons, 1993)


"I should make it clear that we've a rule that prohibits our members from dressing up as the Count. There was an embarrassing incident on The Russell Harty Show."

Bloody typical. Having whetted our appetites for a squirm-inducer of Clive Barker & friends on Horror Cafe proportion, Dracula Society co-founder Bernard Davis sadistically declines to elaborate! As solitary representatives of genus vampire fan, the Drac Soc make the most of their hefty plug with Bruce Whiteman and Peter Swindell giving good anecdote and the late Robert Leake granting the author a guided tour of their museum.

In all, Jarvis catalogues 150 special interest clubs, some familiar, some I doubt many of us could've tricked up in our most surreal nightmares. Andy Collins' Psychic Questors vie for attention alongside the Carnivorous Plant Society (still going strong: they even have an internet presence). The Avengers Location Spotters - 'Avengers' as in Steed, Emma Peel, Purdy haircuts, Kinky Boots, etc - rub shoulders with the Eurovision Song Contest Fan Club and Hedge-layers peacefully co-exist with an organisation devoted to the joys of counting. Backwards.

Handkerchief's at the ready for the entry on Streets Full Of People 'zine which boasts a readership of one - it's editor. Same handkerchief returned swiftly to pocket undamped when you discover that this could well be on account of it being entirely devoted to the dubious marvels of Jonathan King. And then there are the Jan Ellis Admirers, coming over all unnecessary at the memory of their favourite Blue Peter presenter in muddy sportswear.

The much derided Trainspotters are not under-represented, the diehards donning ceremonial anoraks for the occasion. If you wanna get up to some real mischief, there's John Quel's Hoax!. I was fortunate enough to land two issues of this truly brilliant if frightening magazine, a pranksters bible guaranteed to bring out the worst in anyone with a score to settle.

Apologies for abysmal quality scan but library book long since returned.

[dem bones]

Blurb:

Have you ever wanted to learn fire-eating? Fancy trying out a new sport - like competitive snuff-taking? Would you like to join the Test Card Appreciation Society? Or perhaps join a society devoted to the study of abusive language? If the answer to any of the above is YES! then The Bizarre Leisure Book is the book you need.

Strange sports, occult adventures, unbelievable fan clubs, teachers of surprising skills - they are all in this essential guide that takes you thought the alphabet of off-beat experiences.

Whatever your peculiar penchant, author Stephen Jarvis has been there, done it, tried it. Read about how: he was sent back in time under hypnosis to his three previous lives; took on the British Tiddlywinks Champion; met the man who publishes a specialist magazine about counting backwards; learned the skills of Punch and Judy, Punk Singing and Pun-making; and took part in the World Flounder Tramping Championships - where competitors try to catch fish with their feet.

But don't just read about it, do it! The Bizarre Leisure Book contains all the addresses and contacts you'll ever need to add that certain something to your life. It is the essential guide to having a different weekend.

Reunion with an old friend (see above). The passing of years causes concern that some of these excellent organizations may no longer be with us, but if you young with it hip cats want to know what people got up to pre-internet, this book dares explore the dark worlds of such sinister cults as The Bruce Forsyth Social Club, The Land of the Giants Appreciation Society, The Letter-box Study Group, The Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) Appreciation Society, and the unspeakable profanities of The International Maladicta Society. And yes, several of them provided newsletters and/ or fanzines.

[helrunar]

The Alan Whicker Appreciation Society--now that's terror. One wonders if members received an autographed portrait of the great one.

I thought Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) was a fairly decent show. It ran over here for a time in syndie under the title My Partner the Ghost.

H.

[bluetomb]

I hope the counting backwards man had strong opinions about the Throwing Muses alt. pop gem Counting Backwards. For or against, I just hope they were strong.