11 amazing pictures of Telford in 1977 - how many do you recognise?
Ade Blount was a silly idiot. A bit harsh, maybe, but they were his own words.
Complete with his comic hat and face mask, the 16-year-old sixth-former from Blakemore on Telford's Brookside estate decided in March 1977 that it would be a good idea to hire himself out to bring a bit of mirth to people's lives. Which wasn't that silly at all, really.
Explaining his reasoning, Ade added: "I was just thinking that people in Telford are so apathetic, spending all their time moaning and I thought it would be a good idea to do something constructive.
"I have always regarded myself as a silly idiot, always one for having a laugh, so I thought of setting up this service."
Among his services, he was offering to become a target for wet sponges at charity events.
