The Persistence of Bluebirds

A few days ago I was suddenly overwhelmed by memories of my grandfather on sight of a 99p block of Walkers’ Nonsuch Toffee in Annie’s Chocolate Emporium. The invitation to ‘whack, unwrap and enjoy’ evoked a tidal-wave of long-forgotten childhood memories of toffee hammers, cans of 3-In-One Multi-Purpose Oil and creosote-soaked sheds so powerful that Annie had to ask me if I was alright, and did I want to sit down for a minute?

The Bluebird trademark

My grandfather died in 1985 and I don’t think I have given thought to whacking toffee since - after all, even then, it was an old-fashioned thing to do. My grandfather’s favourite brand was Blue Bird. Blue Bird toffee was originally called Harvino, but proprietor Harry Vincent was so inspired by Maurice Maeterlinck’s 1908 play ‘The Blue Bird’ that he renamed it.

By a curious coincidence, racing motorist Malcolm Campbell was inspired by the same play to adopt the name for his record-breaking vehicles in the 1930’s. His son Donald Campbell and grand-daughter Gina continued the tradition and also by coincidence, I had an image of the Blue Bird speed boat (amongst other things) patterned on my wallpaper as a child.

By a further coincidence I saw current land speed record holder Wing Commander Andy Green speak at the IET Wheatstone Christmas Lecture in 2009. He spoke about Bloodhound, the 1000 mph supersonic car. He wasn’t, to my knowledge, chewing toffee at the time.

Next issue: Man subjected to £1M five-year Lynx Effect advertising campaign inspired to purchase 1 x 250ml bottle of Morrisons shower therapy for men 2-in-1 shower gel for hair and body.

References

• Annie’s Chocolate Emporium, Letchworth Garden City
• The story of Blue Bird toffee
• RIP Frank Martin, 1905-1985: Gone for a cup of tea and a slide down the banisters
• ‘The Blue Bird’ - A play by Maurice Maeterlinck
• Bloodhound SSC project