This is a sneak preview trailer for a one off exhibition of 3 deckades of skateboard art that howies and Shiners Distribution are curating at howies 62 Queens Road store in Bristol running from April 17th.

Chris Allen of Shiner has kindly agreed to let us have access to their whole archive of decks. We’ve chosen over 200 favourites which will be on show for a month. With boards from every deckade that Shiners have been distributing the biggest names in skateboarding to the british public it will be a treat for any skateboard fan and graphic freak . There will be decks on show from
Dogtown, Sims, Sant Cruz, Powell Peralta, Vision, Schmitt stix, G & S, Zorlac, Alva, Santa Monica Airlines, plus a host of others.

There will also be a series of one off decks painted by guest artists that will be auctioned for unicef at the end of the exhibition. All boards are hand painted,  Jim Phillips, Geoff McFetridge, Pete Fowler, French, Kev Grey, Will Barras, Mr Jago, China Mike, Marcus Oakley, Andy J Miller, Chris Bourke, Mr Bingo, Bowlegs, Millie Marotta, Gav Strange, Danny Wainwright, Jethro Haynes and Nigel Peake’s boards will all be on show for the month.

Dont miss it.

So feel free to tweet this, re-blog it, tell your friends, tell your brother’s mate’s cousin’s
buddy who collects 80’s bmx’s preferably.

It’s a 1985 Skyway Street Beat in the Green/Purple/White colourway
(as modelled below by the lovely Lydia).

An awesome bike, as ridden by Scottie Freeman and the late
great Neil Ruffell back in the mid 80’s. Original Dia-Compe brakes,
Skyway EZ bars, on Skyway Tuff 11 mags etc..

Looks like it was made yesterday. All built from original 80’s parts.

Now, I know this ain’t the Free-Ads, but If you want it, make me an
offer in the comment section below and I’ll get back to you.

You could be ‘cherry-pickin’ in no time.

R.I.P Neil Ruffell

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There wasn’t a cloud in the sky over Cardigan yesterday, and although it was still pretty cold it finally feels as if we’re starting to shake off the last bits of winter and can look forward to Spring.

What better way to sum up springtime than snowdrops – I took this yesterday afternoon while on a walk through Cwm Degwel. lovely stuff! Viva la primavera!

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I can’t wait for some warmth. 600 film

James has had them six months and has worn them every day apart from when he was at wedding according to Amy.

We think they look amazing plus think of all that saved water too.

Here’s a tip to stop the ’smell:’ Freeze them over night, kills all the dirty bacteria.

Taken on the greek island of Cyprus, well half greek half Turkish. Actually I’m not even sure if they class themselves as Greek, oh god what a minefield I hope this doesn’t start another war I was just there for a wedding and a nice time. Sorry.

600 film I think

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Richard Hell- “The Kid with the replaceable head”

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Lonnie Donegan-”Puttin on the style”

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Artist, Samantha Gilraine came in yesterday to refresh our Staircase Gallery in the Bristol shop.

Samantha is a Bristol based artist and photographer who merges traditional painting and digital photography.

“My aim when creating artwork is not to just recreate what a landscape looks like, but the real experience and feeling of being within a landscape. ”

Pop by to see Samantha’s work over the next few weeks.

We also have a selection of greetings cards on sale of  Samantha’s work if you would like to take a smaller version home with you.

Get yourself down to the store to check ‘em out…but if you would like to buy one and you don’t have the opportunity to make it down, we can offer a mail order service.  You can call us on 0207 287 2345

Launching on Friday 26th February, ‘Carnaby Street: 1960 – 2010’ will celebrate 50 years of fashion and music. 

The central feature of the show is a unique 3D timeline which illustrates key people, events and happenings in the area from being a green field site with a well and a scarecrow 500 years ago, to the iconic characters associated with Carnaby’s music heritage such as The Rolling Stones, Sex Pistols and Jimi Hendrix.

A limited edition book of the same title; ‘Carnaby Street: 1960 – 2010’ will support the exhibition and will feature images from ‘60s photographer Philip Townsend and exclusive interviews with people who have lived and worked in Carnaby including The Who’s Pete Townsend.

The exhibition and book are the work of acclaimed curators and fashion historians Judith Clark and Amy de la Haye, who have curated exhibitions at major international museums including the V&A and Mode Museum in Antwerp.

The exhibition, 38 Carnaby Street, will be open from 26th February until the beginning of April 2010 and is FREE admission.  It will be followed by a series of events throughout 2010 to celebrate Carnaby’s 50th Anniversary including a live music weekend in June and a unique fashion show in September. 
Open 7 days a week
Monday – Saturday: 11am – 6pm
Sunday: 12noon – 6pm

38 Carnaby Street
London, W1

Available for Men Here and Women Here

UPDATE: If you have an opinion on this issue, you can make your voice heard over here on the BBC’s Strategy Review survey.

The first-ever film version of Lewis Carroll’s tale has recently been restored by the BFI National Archive from severely damaged materials. Made just 37 years after Lewis Carroll wrote his novel and eight years after the birth of cinema, the adaptation was directed by Cecil Hepworth and Percy Stow, and was based on Sir John Tenniel’s original illustrations. In an act that was to echo more than 100 years later, Hepworth cast his wife as the Red Queen, and he himself appears as the Frog Footman. Even the Cheshire cat is played by a family pet.

With a running time of just 12 minutes (8 of which survive), ‘Alice in Wonderland’ was the longest film produced in England at that time. Film archivists have been able to restore the film’s original colours for the first time in over 100 years.

Music: ‘Jill in the Box’, composed and performed by Wendy Hiscocks.

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Ade you’re in good company, the RZA’s on a no caffeine tip too…

(apologies for the swearing on behalf of the Wu)

Dear Rider,

This just a heads up to let you know that entries for the 2010 howies Dyfi Enduro will opened at 10am today. Spaces are limited to 650 riders.

We have been busy working hard to ensure that the 2010 is another one to remember, bands, films, beer, good food and a long ride in the woods. No better way to spend the May Bank Holiday weekend.

Cheers for now.

The howies Dyfi Enduro team.

Sunset in the Preseli’s. Type 780

The Do Lectures have announced their 2010 speakers over on their blog.

Looks like a pretty impressive bunch.

I’m especially looking forward to Maggie Doyne and Daniel Seddiqui. Read about them both over here.

Taken at last years Goodwood Festival of speed, one of the best days out I’ve ever had. Type 600 film.

Local beer is being kindly provided by our mates at Bristol Beer Factory.

There are still some tickets left. You can reserve tickets through the Bristol shop via email or giving us a ring.

The shop will be open all evening for the event so you will get a chance to try out the new spring season range which has just come in.

At the end of March James is doing a talk at the Southbank Centre.  He’s fresh from a winter spent doing new research in America, and here he delivers his verdict on what any new government must do to save the environment. All that for £12.00.

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This was taken from a hotel balcony using some magazines and a book as a tripod. This was 600 film I think.

Thanks for all the lovely comments by the way, I might try and put some sort of book together this year, with the help of Joby Barnard, if anyone is interested let me know.

Last weekend I made some stands and this weekend myself and my friend Dai started cutting, measuring, sanding and then some more measuring.

We started with Dai’s, thought it would be good to practise on someone elses before ruining mine. Dai’s idea was he wanted a board the same shape as him, it soon became apparent this was a daft idea so we used the width of shoulders as the wide point of the board.

Next we put our rough bit of card outline on the blank and got stuck in with saw. Bit scary but the next bit was really worrying as we got stuck in with some power tools

Let Dai start this as after all it is his blank, I finished it off as he had to get back to massage his girlfriend Molly’s broken ankle.

This is where we had got to on Saturday night, still a lot to do like shaping the rails and obviously glassing it but its a start. I started mine on Sunday but didn’t take any photo’s stupidly.

Its good  to have a project even if the house is now covered in foam and I can’t see out of my right eye.

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This is what the kids are up against from the Law Enforcement Office

Robs film hopes to address a lot of social issues, we probably wont get to see it over here but maybe it will be out on DVD. Please take a little mo to read the plot and intention of the film, a lot of good may come from it.

Here’s a statement from Berkela Motion Pictures about the upcoming debut:

“LOS ANGELES, CA (May 29, 2009) –  From the studio that introduced the critically-acclaimed Bra Boys in 2008, Berkela Motion Pictures will soon release their skateboarding film, Street Dreams, in select US theatres on June 12, following its June 8 Los Angeles Premiere.  Street Dreams will prove to be an instant cult classic showcasing skateboarders and their tireless struggles with disapproving parents, harsh police tactics, and the hope of getting a sponsor and going pro.  Pro skateboarder and television personality Rob Dyrdek makes his writing, producing, financing, and starring debut in the film which showcases some of the world’s greatest skateboarders. The story for Street Dreams is a writing collaboration between Dyrdek and Nino Scalia, his longtime friend and skateboarding industry insider.  Paul Rodriguez, Ryan Sheckler, and Terry Kennedy also star in this one and only skateboarding film told by skateboarders to show mainstream audiences the reality of the street skateboarding community.  Christopher “Thes One” Portugal created most of the Street Dreams original score.  Hip hop impresario Pharrell created the film’s anthem “Hoppin’ Over Fences” as well as provided N.E.R.D. tracks for the movie.  Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park also scored a section of the film.

This film takes place where the skateboarding culture is most foreign, the Midwest.  Like all skaters, Derrick Cabrera dreams of being sponsored and one day going pro. He is an up-and-coming skater with all the talent, but he has the world against him.  His parents and classmates cannot understand how Derrick has so much passion for something that has no future in their eyes.  He is only accepted in his skater crew of friends, but as he gets better and better, some of those friends become his biggest rivals.  After getting arrested and facing ultimatums with his father and girlfriend, he runs away with his skateboarding crew to Florida for a big skateboarding contest that will change his life.  A street skateboarder’s constant battles are showcased through Derrick Cabrera’s character and the film’s amusing yet serious plotline.

With the attention Street Dreams is sure to garner, Rob Dyrdek hopes to continue to gain momentum for a true skateboarding movement that will open the door for serious social issues to be investigated and rectified.  There are over 10 million self-identified street skateboarders in the US alone, and the majority is actively seeking natural obstacles found in urban public environments, which is illegal and sometimes harshly enforced.  Until now, authorities have chosen to ignore police brutality toward skateboarders—there are even prevalent videos online showing young male and even shockingly female skateboarders getting beaten by cops caught on tape.  Tired of skateboarders being treated as nuisances by public authorities,

Dyrdek has taken it upon himself to change how the world sees the sport.  After great struggle, Dyrdek was recently able to get through to the City of Los Angeles, and he even rode the world’s largest skateboard through L.A. with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who now supports Dyrdek and his efforts.  In February 2009, Dyrdek created and launched Safe Spot Skate Spot through his foundation and in conjunction with the city of Los Angeles.  The new skateboarding haven gives street skateboarders a safe and legal area to skate in a park’s natural landscape complete with the desired elements such as park benches and rails. The Safe Spot Skate Spot Program will help cities meet needs of skateboarders, and interference with traffic, residents, and businesses can be eliminated.

‘Street Dreams is a continuation of our renegade movement.  It is important for the mainstream audience to be aware of the issues and obstacles street skateboarders face today,’ says Jason Bergh, Executive Producer at Berkela Motion Pictures.  ‘Berkela’s mission is to raise awareness and bring these types of stories to life as we did with Bra Boys.’ Sal Masekela, Executive Producer at Berkela Motion Pictures states, ‘With Street Dreams, Rob Dyrdek finally gives us a story of modern day skateboarding culture that doesn’t make a mockery of this unique, collective passion celebrated by kids across America.’  ‘I have so much respect for Rob, and I know that everyone at Berkela is proud to be a part of his ongoing mission to bring the realities of street skating to a mainstream audience,” adds David Katzenberg, Development Executive at Berkela Motion Pictures.

The full-length film will be released in select theaters on the west coast on June 12, 2009 and the east coast on June 19th.  For more information on Street Dreams, please visitwww.streetdreamsmovie.com.”

It’s a pity it’s so far away, would have loved to see Mario rocking a Thrasher hat in person.

More from the exhibition here >> http://www.harvest-re.com/artwork/index.html

Jeff.

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Wooden Shjips

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Kate Maki

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I sent them back to 2Pure and they worked on them but they could not be fixed. They tried hard.

So they sent me a new set which came yesterday, and they really light my way home.

Thank you 2 Pure

I only ever use it to ride to work in ice or snow or when the road to work floods to knee deep.

So during 2 lunch breaks and telephone calls that just require chatter the drop bars got ditched and flat bars, bar end (i have not had a pair of these since my first riser bars in 1995) v-brakes and new grips fitted.

Rode it in this morning and felt that I had a new bike.

Gotta get rid of the kelvar tyres now which feel like riding on deep pile carpet.

Local beer is being kindly provided by our mates at Bristol Beer Factory.

There are still some tickets left. You can reserve tickets through the Bristol shop via email or giving us a ring.

The shop will be open all evening for the event so you will get a chance to try out the new spring season range which has just come in.

Took this one on the last photo shoot up in the hills. Can’t get hold of Sx70 film anymore and if I can I can’t afford it so I’ve started using 600 and 780 as its a bit more available. I was worried that it would look all fresh and new but its not too bad really, suppose using an old camera helps. I think this was on 780.

They made a little promo featuring their latest pro, Marty Murawski, and plenty of others.

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I am way excited.

Jeff.

Some of you may know that it’s Fairtrade Fortnight until the 7th March! To celebrate this, the people at Fairtrade are running the ‘Big Swap’ and are asking us to swap our usual stuff for Fairtrade stuff. The usual bananas for Fairtrade bananas and your usual cuppa for a Fairtrade cuppa. Get involved and register your swap…http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/thebigswap/about_the_big_swap/

We’ve got some Fairtrade tea from our friends at Clipper so if you’re popping by the shop and fancy a cuppa then just come in and we’ll stick the kettle on!

While lighting the fire this morning I found an article in a Times mag about the top 30 albums of the last decade, so it’s on the wall and is our playlist for the next few days.

We are working from 30 to 1. Not everyone’s cup of tea, but a nice exercise. I have got a couple that I really not looking forwards to, and some that are great, but very slow for a busy day.

You can see what we’re listening to right now over here on last.fm

**Update: this is the list we’re listening to.**

The majority of our Spring catalogues have been posted out now. If you enjoyed our reading about the tales of our Ancestors Patagonian-Pioneering- Adventures, then head over to our flickr to see more of the images from our adventures.

The gallery contains James Bowden’s photos. All shot on film with either a Rollei 35 or a Hasselblaad 501CM.

If you find flickr slow and ugly I Hardly Know Her provides a much better visual experience.

Also James has a photo set of all his Hasselblaad portraits here.

Finally if you like to receive one of catalogues or download the PDF, fill in this form.