Half-Penny from 1966

Brixham: Coins in the Wall! (2.4.2026)

Administrative matters aside – I notice the above “interior” wall looks as if it used to be an “external” wall – as it looks weather-beaten and worn. Furthermore, in the UK, builders often leave a coin featuring the year any renovations were carried-out as a form of “good luck”. Usually, we find these coins under floor-boards, carpets, and lino, etc. Sometimes they are lodged between wooden joints or under various structures. In this wall, the coins seem cemented on the outside of the wall. There is a 1966 half-penny, and a 1960 three-penny. When I was first at school in the early 1970s – these coins were still in use. The old half-penny would today possess the buying power of £5 – whilst the three-penny bit could buy about £30s worth of goods. This was before the UK joined the EEC (1.1.1973). Prior to this, a British pound was comprised of 240 pence – afterwards it was deliberately devalued to just “100” pence. What a disgrace all this was!

DPRK Cemet Ships!

DPRK: Socialist Endeavour Constructs Excellent [Cement] Cargo Ships! (10.12.2024)

The successes achieved by the workers in the field of marine transport in the drive to successfully conclude this significant year and greet the 11th Plenary Meeting of the 8th Party Central Committee with proud labour feats are an expression of boundless patriotism and loyalty of the people who regard the Party’s plan and intention as their sacred and honourable revolutionary tasks and devotedly struggle for carrying them out perfectly.

Giant Mao Zedong Statue Tongxu County, Henan, PRC

China: Chairman Mao Zedong – Giant Statue Built By Villagers! (18.5.2024)

Chairman Mao Zedong is in a seated position (facing “South”) and is made of steel bars and cement. The outer layer is painted with golden paint and there is scaffolding next to it. From time to time, people come by car to take pictures in front of the statue of Chairman Mao. The front of the statue faces south – the back faces North (the traditional Chinese alignment), with Chairman Mao in a seated position. It is made of steel bars and cement. The outer layer is painted with golden paint and there is scaffolding surrounding the structure.