Peter Novani's photostream  

They say every picture tells a story...but hopefully that does not apply to the caricature of me hula-hooping! And as this is supposed to be a profile page I took the opportunity to add additional information below to help put my motley selection of photos into some sort of context. In truth it was a time-consuming task getting the original 35mm film negatives or transparencies digitally updated. But as many of them have been mislaid or damaged over the years, I often had to rely on print scans. Inevitably that has resulted in an in loss in quality with several images. Nonetheless I do hope you enjoy viewing my Photostream.

Peter Novani

Copyright Notice: None of the photos featured in this Photostream can be copied, duplicated, printed, reproduced, stored, published (on a website, forum or blog), or transmitted by any means what-so-ever without prior written permission.

MOTOR RACING



It was probably those halcyon days of the 1960s that sparked my interest in motor racing. A period when my dad took me to race meetings as a special treat. In subsequent years I developed all the characteristics of what is often termed a "petrolhead." An extensive library of books, plus thousands of car magazines and a fine collection of hand-built model cars were all a testament to that passion. However, any thoughts of becoming a racing driver were swiftly dismissed after attending a Motor Racing Stables driving school course in 1974. The location was Brands Hatch, and my tuition was courtesy of Mike Wilds, who briefly drove for the BRM Grand Prix team in Formula One. Following a motion sickness inducing few laps as Mike's passenger in a tuned Vauxhall Firenza coupe, I then took the wheel to discover the joys of the heal and toe technique. Having exhibited a proficientcy for keeping the Firenza on the black stuff, I was then allowed some lappery of the shorter Club circuit in a Formula Ford single-seater. However, it soon became apparent that driving such a car mere centimetres from the ground, and with little in the way of protection should a mishap occur, did not suit my survival instincts. Thereafter, I chose to enjoy the sport from the relative safety of the spectator’s enclosure.

SLOT CAR RACING



As with most schoolboys back in the 1960s I witnessed the rise to prominence of slot car racing. However, it was only in the mid-1980s that I revisited the hobby of slot car racing as I raced at clubs boasting routed wooden tracks. But an obvious lack of competiveness prompted me to hang up my hand controller. However, towards the end of the 1990s an interest was rekindled in all things Scalextric - a rather less frenetic form of slot car racing. Was it a mid-life crisis? Who knows? But whatever the reasons, I enjoyed building and exhibiting the track layout featured in this Set. Having the layout exhibited at prestigious UK motoring events in aide of various charitable causes was a real bonus. As was having my slot-car activities appear in model and road car magazines, plus Roger Gillham's Scalextric reference book published by Haynes. And commissioning Hornby to produce a limited edition Scalextric Jaguar XJ220 for one of my slot car events had to be another highlight. And during the early 2000s I regularly wrote for a specialist publication. And if you know where to look, those articles can now be found in cyberspace as PDF files. However, by 2004 I was starting to question whether someone of my mature years really should be messing about with electric toy cars...especially in public. And typically I sold the entire collection and promptly retired from the hobby.

TEENAGE POP PUNK DRUMMER'S PHOTO DIARY



Throughout 2007 I could be seen on the live music circuit. And no, it was not another mid-life crisis! I was merely supporting the musical ambitions of one of my offspring after he became a pop punk drummer when still a teenager. I dabbled with drumming just for fun back in the late 1960s. However, he took things rather more seriously and performed in front of audiences across the UK. His third band reached the prestigious "Emergenza UK Unsigned Band Final" competition in 2007. Although his drumming style is more akin to Green Day's Tré Cool, he shares something in common with Ringo Starr, the legendary Beatles drummer. They are both left handed, but play right handed. That said his musical ambitions are on hold while he concentrates on a career outside the music industry. In truth our experiences reminded me of films such as Spinal Tap and The School of Rock. That said I miss the excitement surrounding his gigs. And that just goes to prove you are never too old for all that rock 'n' roll malarkey!

HAIRDRESSING



Who'd have thought I'd end up being a hairdresser? However, it was an important part of my life. In truth my working career actually began in the City as a stockbroker, and then as a banker. But it was purely by chance that I stumbled into hairdressing during the mid-1970s – it's a long story! Following my training at Vidal Sassoon, I worked for various London hair salons, and participated in fashion shows and photographic sessions before venturing into business in 1980. And as I like to do things the hard way I chose a disused dry-cleaners for my first foray into salon ownership. Once refitted, I set about building up the business with my usual enthusiasm. And proving that you can mix business with pleasure, I met the future mother of my son and daughter (now in their mid-20s) when she joined the staff. However, that business was sold in 1987, and I relocated my growing family to a picturesque country village. Our brief sojourn in the countryside coincided with the purchase of an existing hair salon in a salubrious part of Surrey. That was suitably refurbished before it was sold after deciding to return to London and pursue alternative business opportunities. Although my days as a hairdresser are now a distant memory, I'm proud of my scissor wielding antics.