The project that evolved…
It was only meant to be a booklet.
As these things do the Bonser Out project evolved through twists, turns and passion.
Back in 2023 we were quite taken with the idea of producing a silk scarf, in homage to one Nigel Gibbs had shared with us in a past volume of The Watford Treasury.
We pretty much copied it and sent it to Poland to get one knocked up - by what was unbeknown to us - a company specialising in ultras hooligan regalia! The plan was to combine it with some retro button badges and a 24 pages fanzine style booklet featuring stuff we had done in our various publications.
Unfortunately, the scarf that came back (along with some dubious stickers) appeared to be made in the same material that those anti-chafing pants are made of, rather than a beautiful shiny satin/silk delight.
We ditched the idea. But the 24-page 70s fanzine was too good to lose, yet too small to sell on its own.
Hence Bonser Out was born. It was the perfect era to write about, the arc of the story full of romance, redemption and ending with a beginning. A WhatsApp group was set up and we hastily filled gaps, shared stories, recounted adventures and basically put together a great little book! Opting to use the same format as Golden Shots and Visions of Blue, we had also inadvertently created a range!
Yet, somehow those badges and the silkie still need to see the light of day!
