Lakeview

In 1959 Fidel Castro assumed leadership in Cuba, the Barbie doll was born, the Dalai Lama fled to India to escape fighting in Tibet and Bob Howard was the Lakeview Tenpin Bowler of the Year.

The discovery of that last fact isn't exactly life changing, but there is something positive about registering these small things while chasing flying wherever it leads. One of the things I enjoy most about paragliding is the places it will take you. Little, nowhere, out of the way places you would otherwise never contemplate visiting and almost always wouldn't give a second glance if you did. Lakeview was one of those places and on a couple of windy days we got to experience it in a way few visitors do. We bowled in the same lanes and sat in the same chrome-legged aqua-blue moulded seats as Bob did 48 years ago - much of the bowling alley interior has certainly not changed though Bob's name now heads a long list of local bowling kings and queens.

Lakeview could easily be written off as just another dying rural town, but the people have a definite sense of pride that their history is something to be embraced rather than replaced. After bowling we walked down main street to a cinema just like you might see in any 50's film - small round box office facing the street, gleaming white billboards announcing the nights only showing and curtains rather than doors between the small foyer and the cinema floor. Gavin and I were slightly late to the film and the interior was dark, so it wasn't until the house lights came on that we realised we'd spent the last 2 hours in a cinematic time capsule. We learnt from the manager that the building was finished in 1949 and nothing has changed - other than the addition of 58 years worth of character and a complete history of modern cinema passed from reel to reel. The decor is original, the entirely comfortable and adequate seating, original. We would have had our popcorn cooked in the original 1949 popcorn machine if not for a heating element which failed only 6 weeks ago which can no longer be replaced. Now in retirement, the long serving machine rests in the foyer, just out of sight of it's young upstart of a replacement - a solemn gesture which I like to think was out of respect, sparing the regal old timer the indignity of seeing his space now occupied by an apprentice who will ultimately serve only a fraction of the masters tenure.

Without doubt there is more to Lakeview than well preserved entertainment venues, but it was good to learn at least that much and it's really satisfying to imagine that over half a century ago, Bob Howard bowled a 300 game at Lakeview Lane's, got up out of his chrome legged chair, walked around the corner to see the latest release - say Charlton Heston in 'Ben Hur' - and bought a cup of popcorn made by a machine that was only just getting warmed up.