Betta Bilda
Betta Bilda :
Betta Bilda (often mistaken for 'Better Builder') was a cheaper version of Lego with little white bricks and small squares of plastic that you clicked together to make "slate" roofs. Although Lego took over the universe, I personally preferred Betta Builder as the small bricks enabled you to make more detailed models.
I remember seeing a model in Woolworths of Big Ben that was about 8 foot tall. Although I never managed anything needing so many bricks I did build a cathedral.
Although suitable for children of all ages, Betta Bilda sets were notoriously challenging and instructions recommended that you got used to how the bricks worked together to provide the best 'structural support' before endeavouring to set out to construct a bigger object.
Betta Bilda was part of the Airfix range. House and vehicles, like lorries were the most popular sets.
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The original fiendishly difficult puzzle,
now with solution guide
The original fiendishly difficult puzzle, invented by Erno Rubik in Hungary and one of the biggest toy crazes ever. In 1982 Hawkin's Bazaar was the first to bring a few cases of the Rubik's Cube to England. Unfortunately 25 years ago we were very small and it wasn't long before a much larger company had the exclusive rights to distribute in the UK. We are very pleased to be offering it again! And now includes a new seven step solution guide.
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5.5cm Seven step solution guide
About Hawkin's Bazaar
Hawkin's Bazaar has been providing you with unusual gifts, toys and gadgets since 1973. Originally a local toy shop at the Hawk Inn (hence the name), Hawkin's Bazaar now sells things you thought had gone forever and things you never even knew existed. They bring you Pin Art, Morph, Rubik's Cube, Big Trak, Space Hoppers and much more.
Also remembered...
It's easy to see why skateboards, rollerboots and BMX's were so popular among kids in the 70s, but space hoppers? For one, it seems a little odd to be bouncing up and down on a big orange rubber ball at the best of times, and considering it didn't help - but rather hinder - getting from A to B, it could be labelled a bit pointless, really... They didn't enable you to jump higher, go faster or run further than you could on foot. But you had to have one. The space hopper (Hippity Hop in America) was invented by Italian, Aquilino Cosani in 1968, though he referred to it then as the Pon-Pon, and it was launched in Britain just as trance/rave culture was picking up speed in the summer of '71. This may help provide some explanation behind the trend, and space hoppers went on to make appearances at Glastonbury and Birmingham psychedelic trance parties well into the 90s. Despite being marketed as 'the amazing inflatable riding ball', its design was pretty simple. The earliest space hoppers were made of red or blue rubber, inflated via an internal valve system, reaching up to around 20 inches. These days though, adult versions are available too, enabling the children of the 70s to relive their bouncing glory days - this time with fewer grazes on their knees. Each hopper featured two handles on the top so you could keep your balance - but still many kids ended up flying right over these very handles after things got out of control! It really wasn't the safest toy around - its saving grace was its apparent inability to burst, although we had a good try at it. But it was great fun, especially when your mates lines up on theirs and you raced each other to the end of the playing field. The majority of space hoppers had a smiley, kangaroo's face painted on the front, but kids were also treated to themed hoppers in the late 70s, which featured plastic moulds of Disney characters, including Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse, on the front. Despite such efforts, though, the US Hoppity hop went out of production and the Space Hopper's popularity is sporadic. So, let's hope the people of Folkestone might spark a revival after they broke the world record for the most people hopping simultaneously, taking it to 1000 people on 4th July 2006. Other space hopper world records of note include the fastest time for 100m on a space hopper, which was set by Ashrita Furman in 2004 when she did it in just 30.2 seconds. And Ashrita also set the fastest mile on a space hopper in January 2005. Fancy setting your own record?
...and do you remember these?
- Flower Fairies
- Wacky WallWalkers
- Balzac Balloon Ball
- Infaceables: Mystic Warriors Of Change
- Lego
- Slush Puppy Drink Machine
- Smokin' Shakers
- Chatty Patty
- Betsy Wetsy
- Cyborg, Muton and Android
Comments
Yes i still have it in my loft, it was made by Airfix if i remember right, mine had green tiles that clicked together for the roof. It did fix onto the regular lego but was a bit wobbly. It had red windows some had sliding panes. I played with it for hours and hours.
Hayley 26-Jan-2005, 03:08:32 PM
I had lots of betta builder, my dad gave me a tool box with lots of compartments, thats where i kept it, i enjoyed nothing better than tipping the whole box upside down onto the floor, then sitting decideing what to create. my sister had lego, but i perferred the smaller pieces in my betta builder.
julie darker 27-Jan-2005, 11:06:14 AM
My parents bought Betta Builder for my sister, who is now over 50. They still have the original lid off the box (greatly repaired, however) and my 3 year old daughter has just discovered the delights of it. They still have loads of roof tiles and some of the windows actually still have the panes of plastic glass. I think it will probably go on forever!!!
Nicki 06-Mar-2005, 12:12:16 AM
Many happy hours spent building, My favorite was making castles with the draw bridge and curved bricks for making round towers.
Graham 06-May-2005, 10:51:19 PM
I remember Betta Builder as being so much "better" than lego. You could construct buildings with much more detail. I think my dad threw it away when I got older and never played with it. I still hate him for it. I wish I could get hold of another set.
Chris Keeble 01-Jun-2005, 09:07:18 PM
1966-does anyone remeber the small white tubes and slanted edge bricks one on top of another =a perfect mini dalek with two accessory boxes you could have 30 of the things, more than you ever saw on tv
tom 28-Feb-2006, 08:42:30 PM
Can you remeber the little green tiles that you had to push togeteher to form the roof. They always seemed to curl up a bit at the eaves. I wonder why someone doesn't re-release it or are todays kids not interested in it anymore. I also remember building tunnels out of the blocks for my pet white mouse to run around in until it escaped that is!! I'm 53 now.
Chris S 02-Mar-2006, 09:05:11 PM
i still have mine and am now 53 my kids played with it when they were young however lego was more popular especially with designated buildings and little people
stevie 10-May-2007, 07:55:37 PM
if anyone has any betta builer bricks for sale please let me know, My2 childrn had kits 48 years ago bet the eldest seems to have lost the lot. We now want more for our grand children. Contact beaslal@aol.com. I can't find any on e bay. Plenty of lego. Thanks. Alan Beasley of Dudley
beaslal 18-Nov-2007, 01:20:56 PM
I inherited this from my older brothers and absolutely loved it. My husband didn't believe it existed until he saw these posts!
sueholmes 28-Aug-2008, 11:18:04 PM
i remember betta builder i loved making the buildings and putting the real glass windows in and the slate tiles were great much better than the modern day lego
billscott 29-Dec-2008, 02:38:35 PM
Interesting most here preferred it to Lego. I got very frustrated by the lack of "cling" when building anything adventurous, and the roofs got quite painful to make, with a fear of breaking the tiles.
And it was useless for making cars, tanks...
Nonetheless, I have just acquired some for nostalgic purposes!
Sorry all, I did prefer my cousin's Lego, till it went all specialised with kits to make only one thing.
Emettman 15-Mar-2009, 02:05:59 PM
I'm confused between this and a construction set I had which had tiny metal poles you stuck into a perforated base,then slid brick slabs down between these,also windows,doors etc. It was very sophisticated and came with a super book of ideas. Anyone remember it? I'm 52 so it would have been contemporary.
cabbij4 21-Dec-2009, 11:06:57 AM
Had my set as a child loved it. My kids played with it .And now my gran kids would like to add to it for there children.
viking 25-Dec-2009, 07:38:21 PM
I was given 10 shillings by my dad in the 1950s. I bought my betta bilder form Woolworths in Wigan.I loved it, spent many happy hours making houses and other buildings, never used a plan just built !! I dont know what happend to it, wish I had it today for my kids. they love Lego, but I am convinced it was a better set than lego. I would love to buy one if anyone has one.
Wiganer 29-Dec-2009, 10:40:23 AM
Soo glad to see these posts. I am a 56 yr old female who adored Betta Builder. Thought I was going mad because nobody I spoke to had ever heard of it!!
ciel 30-Jul-2010, 11:06:12 AM