It's cool daddio in the 50s... and Market Drayton

The 58-year-old musician, inventor and car enthusiast, who is well known throughout Shropshire for trying to design his own rocket car, said his obsession with the 50s had started while watching an episode of Blue Peter when he was about nine.

He said: "I was a big fan of Blue Peter and I was watching it in 1965 and they had an item where by owners were walking their dogs around a race course.

"The music they were playing in the background was Elvis Presley's Hound Dog. I loved the drum pattern and wanted to learn how to play the drums in that style.

"As I got older and learned to play the guitar I realised there was a whole genre of rock 'n' roll and discovered the whole scene.

"I realised there was a whole different way of life in the 1950s and loved it.

"I got into rockabilly when I was visiting a music shop in Market Drayton. I saw a rockabilly record and took it home to play. As soon as the needle hit the groove I was hooked.

"From then onwards all I really listened to or played was 1950s music."

Billy, of Audlem, near Market Drayton, took his love for the 1950s a step further and bought cars and every item he could find from his favourite time.

But the real change for Billy came when his father died in 1994.

He said: "I have had most of the 1950s items donated to me or I have found them in skips with the owner's permission of course.

"When I started collecting things from that era people were throwing them away as they wanted to modernise their homes and update them.

"I saw how nice the things were and started a collection.

"My dad didn't want them on show in the house so I would hide them away in sheds.

"In 1994 when I inherited the cottage I started work on my collection and creating a 1950s theme in the house.

"I have lived in a 1950s time warp since. I will never stop collecting things and hope to continue to build my collection," he added.

One of his favourite items is a 1949 television which people would have had in the 1950s.

"Unfortunately I cannot get a signal on it now but it is just as lovely to look at," he said.

"It is absolutely beautiful. I get as much pleasure watching it as looking at it. I do have a modern TV underneath when I want to watch TV but that is hidden away most of the time.

"My whole house is decorated in 1950s theme but the main rooms of interest are the kitchen and living room.

"Everyone is always impressed when they come round and feel like they have stepped into a time warp. I also have a 1950s museum which is separate to the rest of the house and I keep it closed off because they didn't use to have a 1950s museum in the 1950s did they.

"The only modern items I have are for convenience. They include a microwave oven, TV, kettle and phone, but they are all hidden away.

"I did have a 1957 Swan kettle but it blew up.

"I also drive a modern car but own a 1950s Hot Rod Deuce Coupe," said Billy.

"The reason I do not drive it is because I can't find anywhere that will charge 1950s petrol prices.

"It has a powerful engine so I cannot afford to drive it much."

Billy recently went down to London to speak on BBC Radio 4 about his passion.

He said: "They found out about my 1950s lifestyle and the producer of Saturday Live contacted me and invited me to the studio to talk about my way of life.

"I had a great time and it was an amazing experience to be in the recording studio.

"The thrill I got walking through the doors of Broadcasting House was amazing."

Billy currently works as an entertainer and activity co-ordinator at Audlem Country Nursing Home and Minshull Court Nursing Home.

He said: "I went for a position as laundry assistant but when I got there the manager knew all about my entertaining experience and offered me a different job.

"All I sing is rock 'n' roll songs from the 1950s and entertain the residents.

"I told my boss at the time all I know is rockabilly and rock 'n' roll songs and she said that was fine.

"I have got such a rewarding job.

"In the summer when the weather is better I want to take some of the residents to my house and take them back in time.

" It will take them right back," he added.