A CHURCH Crookham man has been getting in a spin over old washing machines.

Keith Blanchard is asking people to help him track down vintage washers for his forthcoming exhibition.

The 39-year-old washing machine enthusiast has been in talks with The Lightbox museum in Woking and is planning to put together a small exhibit showing the progression of domestic laundry in the UK throughout the years.

He explained: “I have been interested since the age of four. I have a such a massive passion for these fantastic feats of ingenuity which liberated the housewife of the time.

“I feel that in this nostalgic and reflective time in which we live, it would be great to reflect on how a domestic chore use to be done.

“It would intrigue and interest the younger generation as the process is so completely different compared to today and would also be a journey back in time for older residents.”

Mr Blanchard has said the response has so far been positive with many comments expressed at similar exhibitions going along the lines of “oh, we had one of those” and “remember how long it used to take?”.

He currently has three washing machines in storage ready to go, but his aim is to get hold of between eight and 10 for the exhibition.

Once he finds them he intends to fix them up to gallery standards and put them proudly on display.

But he doesn’t intend to keep the washing machines. They would merely be seen as a loan, with the washing machine returned if the owners want it back, and if they don’t, he will donate them to the museum if they end up with no home to go to.

Mr Blanchard is currently stuck is in his search for early 1960s top-loading automatic washing machines and twin tubs.

He said the machines came about in the early 60s but by the end of the decade most had been changed to the common front-loading machines, which are found in most homes today.

A Hoovermatic twin-tub washer from 1965 is pictured, a vital part of any potential exhibition which he hopes to host late this year or early next year.