Page 21 - Ben Mcfarlane

Originally constructed in 1929 at the Faarborg shipyard in Denmark, the 69 foot gaff rigged ketch once known as ‘Johanne Regina’ is a historic vessel with a fascinating story to tell. In her early days, Johanne Regina was used extensively as a trading vessel and by the 1970s she began a journey to the West Indies. 

It was in Antigua, 1974, that Edward Allcard spotted the neglected vessel on a slipway and asked it’s owners if they’d be willing to part with it. Unfortunately for the Allcard family, the boat was not for sale. It wasn’t until the owners tempted fate by changing the vessel’s name that they fell on hard times and eventually agreed to sell. 

For the Allcard family this was the beginning of an exciting new venture and having sold all their possessions to buy the boat, they immediately got started with restoration work. Living aboard the Johanne Regina was a relentless task of repairing and maintaining  the vessel, balanced against their responsibility to educate their daughter

Factory Tours:

See the "Lost ACME Clicker", a hugely significant piece of military history, displayed at the ACME Whistles factory.

Arrange A Tour

How We Found The Lost ACME Clicker

Earlier this month we launched a campaign to find the “Lost D-Day Clickers” that ACME Whistles produced to be used by the 101st American Airborne Division in June 1944. Their purpose at the time of production was kept top secret but it later became evident that these clickers, which we produced in complete secrecy, were a vital piece of survival equipment for the heroic paratroopers involved in the famous D-Day Landings during World War II.

We have been delighted with the incredible coverage that the “Search For The Lost Clickers” campaign has had and we’d like to take a moment here to say a very sincere Thank You to everyone who helped to spread the word about the campaign. We even had the opportunity to appear on BBC News.

As a result of the campaign’s coverage, we are overjoyed to be able to reveal that

There are few sporting events in the world which inspire the levels of excitement and camaraderie that are stirred by the Amsterdam Sevens Tournament. It may not be the only rugby tournament which takes place every year but it a truly special one with plenty of international appeal - it holds a special place in the hearts of rugby players and fans alike.

Every year it allows rugby players and fans to meet, mingle, and enjoy an event that captures the true spirit of the sport. It only natural then, that the Amsterdam Sevens places a high importance on good sportsmanship and the social aspects of the game.

Taking place in June, more than 120 teams from the North and South hemispheres will compete in the men’s ‘Silver Pier’ ‘The Shield’ and ‘The Cup’ Tournaments, while the women’s teams will go head-to-head for the ‘Ladies Pier’ and ‘Shield’ Tournaments.

Veterans of the sport will compete in their own 10-a-side tournament which always guarantees an excellent game will be played. As well as

THANK YOU ACME

By Lt Cdr Glenn von Zeil, SA Naval Reserves

The Bosun’s Call or Bosun’s Pipe (also sometimes spelled 'Boatswain') was used in days of sail to communicate commands onboard ships, especially to those men in the rigging who were adjusting the sails. In modern navies it fulfils a functional ceremonial purpose used to announce daily evolutions, including sunset, colours, call the hands at “wakey wakey”, summons the officer of the day, announce meals, rounds and pipe down. It is also the symbol of office of a Master at Arms or Cox’n and is displayed on a silver chain worn around the neck.

As in the SA Navy the Sea Cadets use Bosun’s Calls for the same purposes and young Cadets are taught the art of “piping” early on in their cadet experience. There is nothing like the piercing sound of a Bosuns Call piping “Wakey Wakey, rise and shine, heavo, heavo, lash up and stow” or other humorous variations at 0500 to rouse the hands.

As Bosun’s Calls are not manufactured in South Africa

We are so delighted to be collaborating with ACME Whistles! As champions of British manufacturing and huge fans of waggy tails we were intrigued by the ‘silent’ dog whistle….

Teddy Maximus is all about fun, luxury British style, we create beautiful accessories for you and your dog… you might have seen us in the Sunday Times Style mag recently, or perhaps you’ve spotted a pup travelling in style in one of our dog carriers – it certainly is a dog’s life! Inspired by my dachshund Teddy, the brand was born in 2015 and is now loved by dogs and their owners across the world!

We first met ACME Whistles in Florida at the Global Pet Expo and connected over our passion for British craftsmanship – we were immediately drawn to the heritage and quality of the products, resulting in our beautiful new Keyring Charm designed and made in the UK for stylish dog owners.

The ‘silent’ dog whistle is fascinating! There are so many things we love about it! We were amazed to learn that the sound of the ‘silent’

Writing a poem for ACME Whistles.

by Gabriella Gay (GKA Gay)

With one toot every cop and robber, runner, budding footballer, bulldog, plane and dancer stood still to attention. I learned very quickly in my year training to teach that my cheap plastic whistle, used for years at carnival, was not enough. Its half-heard whimper left the children that actually stopped quite confused, while the other half continued their games until they spotted the statues amongst them. The best teachers and teaching assistants invested in a good whistle and kept it hung around their necks. They were always ready for playtime duty, P.E, lunchtime and the rare occasion where a hand in the air, sharp ‘Are we ready?’ or the pure powerful presence of standing still was not enough.

In a voice care workshop we were told that the best way protect your voice but still be heard clearly from afar was to speak in a high pitched twangy politician style tone. I never tried it with the kids. I could just picture their laughter.

Team GB – 20th Anniversary Vizsla European Field Trial Championship (Europa Cup); Hungary 26 hours of driving (6 people & 4 dogs in a Transit van) saw us finally arrive at our hotel just over the border in Hungary. Admittedly we did stop off for a few hours for some last-minute polishing and a bite to eat at one of our very hospitable opponents in Austria.

All booked in and some real food, the team and dogs rested. The following day was spent acclimatising the dogs. On the Thursday, late afternoon we headed to the Championship Headquarters where we met up with the rest of Team GB. All the wonderful equipment supplied by our sponsors was presented to each handler by the Team Captain and the booking in of Team GB began.

Team Captains, some with translators headed off to the Team Captains meeting whilst the rest of the 12 countries mingled at the bar reigniting old friendships and forging new ones. After the Captains meeting the draw was made and all competitors were

Behind every one of ACME Whistles’ iconic designs there is a story to be told. Perhaps the most compelling is a story that began at the turn of the 20th Century, and still resonates with us to this day. At its heart, it is about our proud military history, but it is also about the servicemen and women and the everyday details that formed their experience of war.

This year, 2018, marks the 100 year anniversary of the end of WWI. A dark time in world history, it was also an age of innovation and hope as people from all walks of life came together to do their bit for the war effort. For ACME Whistles, this period marked the start of a close relationship between the British military and the humble whistle company from Birmingham.

A Vital Role In British Military History

Ben McFarlane, our Head of Sales and Marketing, sums it up perfectly: "ACME Whistles has played an important role in so many era-defining moments throughout British history, including being a reliable tool for soldiers in WWI.

Here we are again - four years on from the last World Cup semi final - and the fans are in a frenzy as they worship their heroes and pillory their villains. We have made more appearances in the World Cup - and in the final - than any team or player.

Who are we?

We are the Acme Whistle.

We were there in 1966 when we did something really unusual and heart-warming. We blew an England victory. Before then, or indeed after then, all we have done is blow England out of the competition. What joy to, at last, have given a triumphant roll of the pea. These days they can’t do that with their airfast (no pea) Tornado whistles. The long drawl that you can only get from an Acme Thunderer is not like any other football referees’ call, so therefore unmistakeable, and was always what signalled the end of time. You listened for that sound as you knew it wasn’t a foul or a free kick, it was the final word.

World Cup Winners of '66

We never knew what had become of the whistle used 52 years ago until 2014