Delicious True-life
I live my life in a world of pure imagination...
Nick Franklin, 43, from Cheshire
Pushing the VHS into the slot, I fast forward to my favourite scene.
Launching myself onto the sofa, I grabbed a selection of sweets and gobbled them down as I pressed play.
A familiar jingle started.
‘Come with me…’
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, a seven-year-olds dream.
Seeing Willy Wonka, played by Gene Wilder, strut through his chocolate factory in a purple number, I was in love.
The magic alongside the colourful and fantastical set designs blew my little brain – Icouldn’t get enough.
The Goonies and Labyrinth had my heart, too.
My dad would take me to see theatre shows and pantomimes growing up.
Although the musicals would be amazing, the set design was my favourite part of the performance.
Going on to study costume and set design at Birmingham University, I became obsessed with all things film and TV.
Relying on Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory heavily for any inspiration.
The ginormous candy decorations, the silky smooth chocolate river, and even the design of Charlie Bucket’s house, still managed to completely blow my now adult brain.
Working on the set of Grange Hill, Changing Rooms, and Hollyoaks, I enjoyed the creative side of my job.
Hearing that there would be a new rendition of Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, starring Johnny Depp in 2005, I let out a squeal.
Instantly booking my golden ticket and selecting my seat, all I had to do was wait.
When the big day finally arrived, I sat on my seat waiting anxiously for the film to start, just like I did as a child.
I’d love to have a set of my own Wonka bars, I thought as the chocolate flashed on the screen.
The film was definitely wacky and screamed everything Tim Burton, but to me, nothing was going to beat the original.
Leaving my local cinema, I had a spring in my step.
If you want to see paradise, simply look around and view it, rang in my head.
Taking a moment to actually listen to Wonka’s words, I realised something great.
What was stopping me from creating my own paradise?
With that, it was decided – Iwas going to create my very own Wonka wing.
A room full to the brim with all things candy and dandy!
Knowing of movie prop retailers, I started to research items from the 1971 film.
I set up a Facebook group as I knew there would be plenty of collectors that could point me in the right direction.
Scouring auction sites I found a huge variety of items.
Vintage movie posters, original chocolate-making sets, pin badges, and tones of figurines that I had never seen befor
