The British Government, in a 30-million pound initiative, is to make a database of ice-cream van music.
Department of Eurofun spokesman Eric Tie, speaking outside the Department's new 16-storey office on Millbank, said that he was glad the Government had prioritised this project. "The story of ice-cream van music is a vital part of our Nation's history, and at last it's story will be told."
As well as the recorded database of tunes, he revealed plans for an interactive multimedia museum which will be built on the site of Southwark Cathedral, which is to be demolished.
Balls
Government Children's dept. supremo Ed Balls said he was very pleased that the "sounds of childhood" were being preserved for future generations to enjoy. "This is being funded mainly by the taxpayer, but we think that (especially in these tough economic times), the public will agree that this is a vital priority", he added.
Britain's last manufacturer of ice-cream van music players (or freezonium as they should be called), Arthur Flake of Solihull (99), said he would donate his collection of tunes to the museum. Arthur still composes tunes on an old xylophone which has been in the company since 1853, and has seen many changes in his 82 years in the van music trade.
Flakey
Arthur "Flakey" Flake still fondly remembers the day in 1952 when he composed the "ringty-tingty-ringty-ree" tune which is still used today. He still gets asked for his signed photo from autograph hunters the world over...but bizarrely is allergic to ice cream! The new museum will trace the history of the mobile ice-cream vendor, from Victorian push-carts, later horse-drawn carts through to today's state-of-the-art, high-tech vehicles.
