Penny Castle Demolished

Nearly a year ago, well-known former wrestler "Lofty" Blomfield commenced a penny pile in the Nelson R. S. A's clubrooms. The R. S. A. then set its sights on raising £1000 for the new workshop for intellectually handicapped children and when it appeared that the 2-ton castle contained the necessary amount, tenders were called for its demolition. Successful bidder at an auction held on the premises the same day was Mr Ken Black, who, to his own and everyone's delight, made a thorough job of wrecking the castle. He is watched here by R. S. A. president Ken strange and "Lofty", who flew down from his home town, Whangarei, for the big occasion. When counted, there was £1000.0s.1d in the pile.

Before the pile went for a burton - "Lofty" and Mr Henry Rodgers, president of the handicapped children's society, add the last pennies.

Mr Black completes his job

The shovels move in

"Gee whiz, wouldja look at all that ice-cream money!"

If it looks like a News Photo den't delay ...ring Photo News right away ...Ph. 7574

Whangarei nurses in Nelson - remembering their own monster castle back home - posed with "Lofty" on the demolished castle.

Ken Strange waves some folding stuff around in his quest for more money for the bank (pennies off the pile were auctioned, one bringing £1O).

Old ammunition cases filled with pennies were taken to the bank for counting.

In case of a hijack, the Army provided an armed escort, W/0 Upton and S/Sgt Morris keeping an eye on N. S. W. manager, Mr S. Smart.

Counting the money was a big job tackled by the staff of N. S. W. bank (John Anscombe pours the last bucketful).

The last chapter in the story - the cheque from the R. S. A. is handed to Mr Rodgers.

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The Nelson Photo News

No 54 : May 1, 1965

Penny Castle Demolished