Kevin’s quirky hobby is doing the rounds
Saturday 11th December 2010, 11:30AM GMT.
A Midlands author went in circles to pursue his hobby which led him to chronicle some of Shropshire’s most iconic landmarks – its roundabouts.
Kevin Beresford has gone into print with the results of his labours which detail the wonders of the roundabouts of both Telford and Shrewsbury in booklets.
The works are just some of the guides produced by 58-year-old Kevin.
He is president of the UK Roundabouts Appreciation Society, which was founded in 2003.
“We’ve only got 30 members,” he said, “but we get loads of letters from all around the world.
Kevin hails from Redditch, a town he describes as “a place with three prisons and no cinema”.
He began his fascination with roundabouts when he was stumped for an idea for a calendar.
Kevin said: “I run a small business and we used to produce a calendar for customers each year. I had a good think and came up with roundabouts.”
The society was formed by Kevin after the success of the calendar that showed photographs of 12 roundabouts in Redditch — it sold 100,000 worldwide.
He said: “I have since written a couple of books on the subject and one sold 20,000 copies. I also do a newsletter from time to time and our summer issue featured Telford.
“One member had written in with the story that the roundabouts in Telford were built because someone had left ring marks on the plans with a dirty coffee cup and they were mistaken for traffic islands.
“It’s an urban myth but it has done the rounds.”
As to what makes a great roundabout, Kevin said that was the 64,000-dollar question. “Telford has got some good roundabouts,” he said. “Some have mineshaft wheels on them and things like that.
“Some people like roundabouts in full bloom but, with me, I go for quirky ones. Something unusual.”
UK News
Most Commented
- Clampdown on Shrewsbury chuggers
- Bishop's gay marriage views do nothing to support bible teachings
- Planners ordered to stay on Newport visit bus
- Letter: Angered by close encounter of the furred kind
- Letter: Alcohol price plans annoy me
- Shrewsbury’s broadband speed one of slowest in UK
- Letter: No sense in overseas job adverts
Shropshire Star on Twitter
Keep updated with the latest breaking news and content on our Twitter feed.
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Shropshire Star and Express & Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
Entertainment
All the film reviews
Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases.
OUR NEW APP
Get the new Shropshire Star app
Download the Shropshire Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
shropshirestar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
