Cutting edge TV as Channel 4 pays a visit
SOUTHPORT’S British Lawnmower Museum had a visit from the cast and crew of Channel 4’s Four in a Bed.
Filmed shortly before the pandemic, the show has four chosen bed and breakfasts compete for a coveted industry trophy.
Each of the competitors participate in a unique experience or activity in their home town, and this episode included a cutting edge experience at Lawnmowers of the Rich and Famous exhibition, where each machine has its own story. Some of the lawnmowers and equipment on exhibition were from Prince Charles and Princess Diana, Brian May from the rock band Queen, James May from Top Gear, Paul O’Grady, Jean Alexander, Eric Morecambe, Nicholas Parsons, Roger McGough, Alan Titchmarsh, Vanessa Feltz and many more.
Southport resident Albert Pierpoint, the nation’s most famous hangman, executed 400 people and was paid £15 per hanging by the government coincidentally the same price as his lawnmower. The machine can now be viewed hanging from the museum ceiling.
It’s said the term ‘money for old rope’ comes from him, as he always used a new rope, and sold the old one. The programme has been saved from early 2020, with the series being aired for the very first time 12 months later.
Currently museums in the UK are still under government lockdown regulations and are sadly unable to open their doors to visitors.
However, work at the museum has not ceased, as hundreds of unique original grass cutting patents are preserved, along with one of the largest conservations of original manuscripts in Great Britain on the subject.
Southport’s Lawnmower Museum also holds the grass cutting sound archive, preserving lost and unique sounds, and memories of the traditional Sunday morning sound of mowing.
Future planning has been going on behind the scenes at the museum and they are ready for reopening to welcome visitors.