My Day at Brookside by Angela

It all started a few months ago, my friend from work had 'something to tell me' it was the fact that her Son who has a degree in art & design had landed a job on the set at Brookside! She was so excited as she knew what a big fan I was of the programme. Of course I wanted to know all about it and she said that she would see if a visit could be arranged. After working out a convenient date for everyone her Son booked us in for a tour of the close and parade. So on a Saturday in June this year our big day arrived. There were four of us catching the train together, we met at Crewe Station which is only a few miles from where I live in Stoke-on-Trent. We had a 40 min journey to Liverpool Lime Street Station and then we caught a Black Cab to Wavertree to meet her Son & Daughter. We were then driven to The Close, firstly we went into a props portacabin where I had a go on Mike Dixon's crutches! We then posed for photos around the famous 'Brookside Close' sign and then we moved on to the houses.There was no filming going on that day, so although we did not meet any actors we were able to have a good look around. Even though I have been watching the programme for years I thought the houses appeared different in real life, quite small and there some areas of the houses that you don't seem to notice on TV. The houses brought back memories though, at the Corkhills I looked out for the picture of Jimmy's beloved Cracker on the wall and then of course the infamous patio. At the Dixons, which has been extended and redecorated since Anthea has moved in, the first thing that I wanted to see was Clint's blood stain on the carpet! I had also forgotten that the crushed up Moby is still displayed in the garden! At Max's house I thought back to Bonfire night and Susannah 'falling down the stairs' and at the Johnson's when I went into Gemma's room I thought back to the Nikki Shadwick rape scene. We then took the 5 mile journey to the parade which is set on a campus which is shared with Hollyoaks. We went into the flats, Bev's was my favourite as her taste in furnishings is the same as her taste in outfits! We then went to the Walk in Centre, Trina's Tots, The Salon, Bev's Bar & The Lesuire Centre. Bev's Bar was my favourite although it was decked out in Leanne & Christy style! Had my picture taken 'pulling a pint' and sitting reading the leopardskin fur covered vegetarian menus, being vegetarian myself I found them to be really good! Last but not least was the Petrol Station which smells of tcp (the food is injected with it to stop hungry crew snacking!) had my picture taken behind the counter imagining I was Jackie or Lindsey! I was given a 'Brookie goody bag' and then we were off to the Albert Docks for the rest of the afternoon to end a thouroughly enjoyable day.

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