greg3 Posted January 4, 2020 Posted January 4, 2020 (edited) It's the first weekend of the year which means it's time for a new topic for my LEGO town of Ballabreek!! Later this year, will mark 10 years since I first put 6 roadplates together and called it Ballabreek ("Place of the Brick" in Manx"). Since then it's grown and changed a fair bit as each year I've tried to add as many official sets as possible (often modified to make them fit better). I also like to come up with backstories to explain the changes and add a bit of character to the town and its minifig population. The first change in the town this year sees the loss of a major employer... the Space Technology Centre . Last year saw the Centre taken over by a consortium of tech companies with ambitious aims to reach the moon and beyond. As part of their restructuring, they've moved the Ballabreek centre out of the town so it can expand. (it's actually only going on a nearby shelf!) This has left an empty area which an enterprising minifig has turned into a used car lot. Now the locals can get "reliable, cut priced vehicles" for "incredible low low prices!!" Then Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Now Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Eventually the site will be home to a large tuning workshop/garage . Unfortunately the current building plans would mean blocking access to the public footpath - the local walkers aren't even happy about having to walk across the car lot!! So until the access issue can be solved, the garage build is on hold (bad news for the garage business owner but good news for the used car salesmen!!) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr In actual fact, the delay is because I may have to move house next month or 2. Hopefully I won't but until I'm sure, I'm reluctant to make any big changes/builds that I'll just have to dismantle in a few weeks! Anyway, for those new to Ballabreek here's a quick tour of the town as it is now... The industrial area centred around the mine. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Behind the mine is the footpath that's causing all the planning issues... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Opposite the mine are the recycling area, police and fire stations... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The town centre; tram stop, park, hospital, shop and bank. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr More shops (and apartments); LEGO store, newsstand, gem store, bike shop and hairdressers. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Residential area - a quiet one-way street... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Finally, the harbour area (including a small open air pool) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr So what has 2020 got in store for Ballabreek? Well I guess we'll just have to wait and see!! Thanks for looking. As always, comments are very welcome. Edited January 4, 2020 by greg3 Quote
Vindicare Posted January 5, 2020 Posted January 5, 2020 Yes! I always love reading your updates. As you said, the stories you add really make your town come to life. Quote
gotoAndLego Posted January 5, 2020 Posted January 5, 2020 (edited) Happy new year Greg, nice updates as usual. I look forward to all your stories this year. Just followed you on Flickr, not sure why I hadn’t sooner. Edited January 5, 2020 by gotoAndLego Quote
greg3 Posted January 12, 2020 Author Posted January 12, 2020 (edited) This week's update injects a bit of culture into Ballabreek with a new temporary art installation at the park. The statue that usually stands here has been removed for restoration and cleaning so the town council has offered the area up for local artists to showcase their work with a new exhibit each month. This month's is a sculpture created from recycled glass and already christened "The Crystal Snake" by the locals... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The local TV news crew are interviewing the sculptor... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Close up of the artwork itself... (it can be rotated to create a spiralling effect) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr This was just a quick little build resulting from a play around with the spare parts from the new DC CMF series!! (Those new trans clear parts look like they could be quite useful!!) But now I need to think of some more artworks for the next few months!! ) Thanks for looking - comments are always welcome!! Edited January 12, 2020 by greg3 Quote
greg3 Posted January 18, 2020 Author Posted January 18, 2020 Today we see the unveiling of the town's first public electric car charging point. Using cutting edge technology, it can fully charge a car in 30 mins and thanks to its ultra efficient solar cells is 100% emission free. It's currently being trialled for a few months but the hope is that if it proves popular, then other charging points will be added around the town as more of the locals switch to electric vehicles. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr As happened last week, the local news team is there to get the story - this time interviewing the CEO of the company behind the technology about his future plans. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Finally a pic of it in action - charging one the latest fully electric cars now available. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr This latest mini update was inspired by a local news report about plans to increase the number of public charging points (and by chance I'd just bought the new filling station set!). Eventually I'll find space for the shop and petrol pumps (although they'll have to dispense some sort of environmentally friendly bio-fuel to please my environmentalist minifigs ) As always, thanks for looking... wonder what the news crew will report on next week? Quote
greg3 Posted January 25, 2020 Author Posted January 25, 2020 (edited) This weekend brings a taste of the Far East to Ballabreek as the local Asian community celebrate the Lunar New Year by holding a traditional Spring Festival on the town's streets. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr With the roads closed to traffic, the main road now features a brightly coloured gateway and trees bearing messages of good luck for the coming year... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr On the other side of the gateway are stalls selling a range of traditional foods and other goods.... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The centrepiece is a series of platforms (called jongs) where lion dancers compete by performing a series of jumps and other moves accompanied by traditional percussion instruments. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Other "lions" bring good luck to nearby homes and businesses by grabbing food (usually lettuce) often placed high up to challenge the dancers athletic skills. Successful lions are rewarded with red envelopes filled with money. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Of course the local news crew are on hand to record events... an even find time to interview some of the performers. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Finally an overview of the scene Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr This is my way of using the new Seasonal Spring Festival sets and I have to say that it might still only be January, but these sets have to be contenders for set of the year (in my opinion at least! Just wish I'd had room to fit the temple into Ballabreek too!). Oh, and until I got the sets and did some Googling, I knew nothing about the customs of the Spring Festival so apologies in advance for any errors in the description/build! Anyway thanks for looking!! Edited January 25, 2020 by greg3 Quote
carebear Posted January 26, 2020 Posted January 26, 2020 Hi! 10 Years! WOW! everytime i come to see Ballabreek i get i smile on my face! Love it! Greetings! Quote
Fenghuang0296 Posted January 26, 2020 Posted January 26, 2020 I picked up the Lion Dance yesterday too! Can’t wait to build it, and I love what you’ve done here. A ‘Chinatown market street’ with road baseplates is a great way to use those Temple Festival stalls with the A-Wedges that make it so difficult to put them in cities. Not planning on getting the Temple Festival myself (much as I love your idea I just finished reorganising my layout and really don’t want to do so again to incorporate a baseplate or two of Chinatown), but I approve! Can’t wait to see what’s next! Quote
TeriXeri Posted January 26, 2020 Posted January 26, 2020 (edited) I don't have a wide layout myself, mostly just shelves, so this looks good. But I just built the New Years sets as well and I love them, especially the temple "buildings" look great, fit right in with 3-in-1 scale buildings to look pretty impressive next to it, the Temple building being 32 wide. Edited January 26, 2020 by TeriXeri Quote
greg3 Posted February 2, 2020 Author Posted February 2, 2020 (edited) Thanks for the comments... this week we're off to Ballabreek's small heliport for a glimpse of the future, 1950s style!! This strange looking contraption is a replica of the de Lackner HZ-1 Aerocycle. A one man "personal helicopter", it was developed in the mid-50s by the US Army for reconnaissance missions (although a civilian version for commuting was also considered ) Powered by an outboard motor driving 2 contra-rotating rotors, it could reach speeds of up to 75 mph and was steered by the pilot shifting his body weight (like a modern Segway). The "landing gear" consisted of airbags which allowed it to land/take off from water as well as land. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr This version is the work of local man Diego Diaz a keen mechanic and wannabe stunt man!! After seeing the Aerocycle on a TV show, he decided to make his own, fitting in research and building around his day job as maintenance man. Now he's ready to test it for the first time. As has become common in this year's updates, the local news crew are on hand to capture the moment... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr As are the emergency services (just in case!) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Diaz also hopes that the test flight and inspection will satisfy the local Aviation Authority and allow him permission to perform in public air displays later in the year... "So these totally unprotected blades will be spinning how fast...?" Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Finally, ready for take off... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr It's working!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr After a 10 min low level flight around the airfield he returns safely to the ground (unlike the original which was cancelled after 2 crashes cause by the rotors flexing to much and hitting each other!) Now we wait to see if Mr Diaz gets the permission he needs for further test flights and the chance to achieve his dream of becoming a stunt pilot!! (he'll need a catchier name though!!) This has to be my first MOC to be inspired by the TV quiz show "Pointless"!! Contestants had to identify a photos of flying machine one of which was the Aerocycle. I'd never heard of it before and as I love weird inventions like this I just had to look it up and have a go at building one. 2 days later and this is the result... it's a bit fragile but I think it looks the part. I might try a more military looking version sometime (there was a prototype with helicopter-like skids instead of the super fiddly struts this one has). Anyway thanks for looking... comments are always welcome. Edited February 2, 2020 by greg3 Quote
greg3 Posted February 9, 2020 Author Posted February 9, 2020 Today the people of Ballabreek are clearing up after the effects of Storm Ciara (which has battered most of the UK and here in the Isle of Man over the last day or so). Luckily the damage in Ballabreek hasn't been too bad - the seawall has taken some damage, a lamppost has been blown down and a large amount of debris (rocks, sand, seaweed and a few unlucky fish!!) has ended up on the road resulting in it having to be closed while the cleanup takes place. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The road might be closed to traffic, but that doesn't stop the locals popping down to have a look at what's going on! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr As always, the local news team are on the scene! This time, they're interviewing a police spokesperson about the impact the storm has had and the efforts made to keep people safe. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Meanwhile the town's new street sweeper is being put to work as efforts begin to get the main coast road cleared and reopened. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Repairs to the sea wall and walkway may take a bit longer but I'm confident my hard working minifigs will have Ballabreek back to normal soon! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr This wasn't the update I had planned for this week and was quickly thrown together after going for a walk to see the storm damage here myself (the scenes in Ballabreek are basically what I can see from my window at the moment!!) It seemed a good way to use he new street cleaner too!! Although I'm guessing I'll be cleaning up 1x1 round bricks long after the real storm damage has been repaired!! Thanks for looking... comments are always welcome. Quote
carebear Posted February 9, 2020 Posted February 9, 2020 Hi, ( Ciara has also landed in the Netherlands ) - love the local news scene as always Great Work! Greetings! Quote
Vindicare Posted February 11, 2020 Posted February 11, 2020 Missed a few updates! It’s nice to see Lord Business getting back into the swing of things. Hopefully he stays on the straight & narrow. I love what you did with the CNY sets as well. They’re quite tricky to place in a city layout, even in a temporary fashion. I’m still trying to figure out a way to at least put the small gate build from the Lion Dance somewhere. It would be a shame not to show them off. I wholeheartedly agree that these are definite contenders for sets of the year. Quote
greg3 Posted February 16, 2020 Author Posted February 16, 2020 (edited) After last week's storm damage, this week has been rather quiet in the town with the only thing for the news crew to report on being the return of the "Ballabreek Bricks"!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr This sculpture depicting 3 golden bricks has been the symbol of Ballabreek for many years combining as it does the town's name "Place of the Brick" and the gold mining upon which the town has prospered over the last few hundred years. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Once the centrepiece of the town, it was moved to the outskirts of the town a few years ago and then recently removed completely due to redevelopment and placed into storage. A number of concerned citizens have petitioned the mayor to have it returned to public display and she agreed (albeit on a temporary basis for the time being). Here we see it in its new position (where it's taking its turn as one of several art installations being displayed over the next few months) and hear from the mayor herself... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Haven't had much Ballabreek time this week (hence the short update) but as the prospect of me having to move house has gone away and I've got a week off work to look forward to watch out for some bigger updates soon!! Thanks for looking! Edited February 16, 2020 by greg3 Quote
greg3 Posted February 23, 2020 Author Posted February 23, 2020 (edited) For this week's update we visit the town's newest business... Treads Tuning Workshop. Built on the site of the former Space Technology Centre it offers repairs, servicing and tuning for a wide range of vehicles... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The local news team are interviewing the owners; Terry and Tina Tread (both former racing drivers and skilled mechanics) about their future plans. Prior to running the garage, they're best known for using their skills to build, test and drive a number of more unusual vehicles for record attempts, movies, publicity stunts etc - something they fully intend to continue!! (Here they're discussing a recent commission to build a "Monster truck burger van!" Crazy eh? I guess we'll have to wait and see !) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The business should have opened at the start of the year but construction was held up over legal arguments about the public footpath - it has now been rerouted as you can see here. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Finally, the small yard area (home to Jowls the onsite "security" (actually he's a big softy!!). In reality I added this area to fill in the empty space left when the garage door is closed!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Anyway, this is one official set that just fitted perfectly in the space available (I usually have to do a bit of resizing!) I have added a proper roof (a pretty simple MOD I covered in another topic) and will be just one of several new businesses that will set up in Ballabreek this year. Thanks for looking - comments are always welcome. Edited February 23, 2020 by greg3 Quote
greg3 Posted March 1, 2020 Author Posted March 1, 2020 (edited) This week saw the good folks of Ballabreek resurrect an old sporting tradition... the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Race!! This once annual event hasn't been held for several years due to the original route around the park being blocked by redevelopment. Now a group of local minifigs have managed to get permission to run the race along the main residential street... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The course is a simple timed out and back run from the start line around the cone and back... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Despite its new location, the race still follows the centuries old rules... 1. Pancakes must be flipped at least 10 times during the run. 2. Dropped pancakes mean disqualification. 3. Fancy dress must be worn. 4. Judges (who this year are dressed as Chefs) decisions are final! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Near the start, contestants warm up and collect their regulation pan and pancake... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr And of course the "stars" of this years updates, the local news crew, are on hand to interview some of the "athletes"!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Close up of the start line arch - this inspired the whole update as I was trying out a technique to create freestanding arch for another project. Then on Tuesday (Pancake Day) a local news report about Pancake Races made me think it'd be nice to restore Ballabreek's traditional race (the original race featured in a topic several years ago) and give me a use for the prototype arch!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Anyway, as always thanks for looking... Edited March 1, 2020 by greg3 Quote
Vindicare Posted March 2, 2020 Posted March 2, 2020 Two great updates! I can’t wait to see this crazy food truck the Treads are building. That’s a pretty neat arch build too. Quote
The Island Chronicles Posted March 2, 2020 Posted March 2, 2020 My layout is probably the lamest of them all. I love the way yours looks. You did very good. . Quote
greg3 Posted March 8, 2020 Author Posted March 8, 2020 Thanks for the comments... glad you're enjoying the updates!! Today is International Women's Day and the people of Ballabreek have chosen to mark the occasion by celebrating some of the influential women who have links to the town. To do this they have arranged a photo shoot in front of the "Ballabreek Bricks" sculpture (repainted in the colours of the Suffragette movement; green for hope, white for purity and purple for loyalty and dignity). Represented in the line up are women from the past, present and future. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr At the front, 3 actors represent figures from the town's history... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Centre: Emmeline Pankhurst. A key Suffragette leader, she often visited the local area as her mother had been born nearby before moving to the UK. Ballabreek was one of the first places to allow women (some of them anyway!) to vote in 1881. Right: Amy Johnson. Famous aviator. Visited Ballabreek in 1933 after landing her plane in a nearby farm after being blown off course. After being put up in the village overnight she continued her journey. Left: Wonder Woman (well her co-creator anyway!!) Elizabeth Holloway-Marsden who was born nearby in 1893 before moving to the USA. She went on to graduate in law and obtain a masters degree in psychology. Along with her husband she developed a lie detector based on blood pressure and created a female superhero comic book character (who could make people tell the truth) The other women are current residents of the town and examples of how gender shouldn't stop you doing that you want to do... From front to back; The mayor, a leading scientist, World Champion racing driver, chief engineer. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr From front to back; Serving soldier (wearing a WW2 uniform to highlight the local women who served during both World Wars), astronaut, business woman (currently CEO of a major global company), the town's fire chief. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Finally, we have 2 local girls chosen to represent the women of the future (and of course the local news reporter (herself an award winning journalist) who has taken the opportunity to interview them on their hopes and dreams for the future). Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr This update was inspired by International Women's Day and the local history of the Isle of Man. All the historical stuff is true (In 1881, the Isle of Man became the first place to give (some) women the vote. Emmeline Pankhurst's mum (Sophia Goulden) was born here, as was Elizabeth Holloway, the co-creator of Wonder Woman. in 1933 Amy Johnson made a planned visit with her husband. Although her plane did end up landing in a farmer's field after missing the airport! During her visit she planted a tree which is still here. I have used a couple of custom figs; Amy Johnson is actually the Emilia Earhart minifig by Minifigures.com and the soldier is an ATS (Auxiliary Territorial Service) figure from United Bricks. Anyway, as always thanks for looking... Quote
greg3 Posted March 14, 2020 Author Posted March 14, 2020 This week our intrepid news crew has been finding out how Ballabreek is preparing for a Coronavirus outbreak. Fortunately there's been no cases in the area yet but it's probably only a matter of time, so what's being done? The reporter interviews the mayor and a leading doctor to find out. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr They explain that the initial plan will be to test as many minifigs as possible to not only contain the virus but to collect data that will help develop a cure. To protect medical staff and already ill patients, a temporary testing facility has been set up in the hospital grounds. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Today the system is being tried out for the first time beginning with off duty medical staff... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The staff operating the testing facility have full protective equipment and the open sided structure is designed to reduce the risk of transmission. Data is collected on each person before a mouth swab is taken for testing. If tests are positive the person is told to isolate themselves at home. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr A few more pics... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr If large numbers of patients were to become seriously ill then the testing area could be converted into a fully enclosed ward to increase bed space. (assuming I can find more orange bricks!! ) I'm guessing that the inspiration for this update is obvious... and I had a few separators lying around needed to be used!! Anyway thanks for looking - comments are always welcome. Quote
greg3 Posted March 22, 2020 Author Posted March 22, 2020 Unfortunately, the virus testing introduced last week has identified several infected minifigures. Luckily the cases so far are mild but the authorities are taking no chances and a number of restrictions have been introduced. The main one being that most shops and businesses have been ordered to shut, the exception being food stores. This resulted in panic buying and stockpiling earlier this week so the local police chief is making a press statement to reassure the public that there's plenty for all (and to remind the citizens that greed and selfish behaviour will not be tolerated!). Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr As you can see, things are now calm with the citizens forming an orderly queue with the appropriate "social distancing" and only being allowed in one at a time. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Woo-Hoo - toilet roll!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The new restrictions also mean the main shopping street is now almost deserted as people stay at home. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Real life has cut into my building time this weekend so this was a quickly thrown together update and not what I'd initially planned (But it has been inspired by recent local events - I've not seen a bag of pasta in my local supermarket for 2 weeks!! ) Here's hoping that life in Ballabreek (and the real world!) can get back to normal soon!! Thanks for looking... as always, comments are welcome. Quote
gotoAndLego Posted March 23, 2020 Posted March 23, 2020 (edited) A great, and timely update. Stay safe during the island lockdown, at least you should have more time to build :D Edited March 23, 2020 by gotoAndLego Quote
greg3 Posted March 29, 2020 Author Posted March 29, 2020 @gotoAndLego Thanks for the comment - hope things are going OK in your part of the world. I've not actually had much building time this week as I've been working in one of the few schools still open but now I'm starting 3 weeks off/working from home/being on standby to cover staff absences so I should get some serious building done!!! Anyway, for this update, the local news reporter takes us for a tour of Ballabreek under lockdown... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr First we pass the town's biggest employer... the mine. Currently shut down (fortunately the mine's owner Mr Wayne has promised to keep paying the miners until things get back to normal) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Opposite, the police and fire stations are still fully staffed and responding as normal (however the recycling area has been closed/removed to prevent people gathering) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The town's newest business, Treads Tuning Workshop is also still open but only dealing with urgent repair work for the vehicles of key workers. (no hot rods, rocket bikes or monster burger vans!!) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Public transport is still operating a limited service... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr As are other key services such as refuse collection... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr As we saw last week, most shops have been closed... the burger bar has remained open but now only operates a take away service... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Medical testing of the locals is continuing (fortunately, although the number of cases detected so far is rising, the majority have been mild) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr To keep it that way, all public spaces are now closed... including the park/children's playground. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr People are still allowed out for essential food shopping and exercise but the police are checking that these rules are being followed!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Most of the changes to life in Ballabreek have been based on what's happening where I live. Hopefully these changes won't have to last too long!! Thanks for looking... and stay healthy!! Quote
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