The Fascination with Roundabouts: From Calendars to Coffee Table Books
When TV host Graham Norton featured a new calendar dedicated to roundabouts on his show, little did anyone know that it would become a worldwide sensation. The calendar, created by a roundabout enthusiast named Beresford, quickly sold 100,000 copies and inspired the creation of other quirky calendars such as ‘Best of British Roundabouts’ and ‘Roundabouts of the World’.
Today, Beresford and his group of fellow roundabout aficionados, known as UKRAS, meet twice a month to discuss their shared passion for these circular road features. According to Beresford, roundabouts are more than just traffic control devices – they are expressions of English politeness and creativity.
He explains, “There’s nothing more expressive than a roundabout: it’s English in its good manners, with people giving way to each other, whereas a set of traffic lights is fascist in its demands that you stop and go only when it allows you to. Roundabouts also boost your spirits on a tedious journey.”
Beresford points out that roundabouts can be adorned with various features, from statues to cricket pitches, making each one unique and interesting. Some famous roundabouts include London’s Marble Arch and Paris’s Arc de Triomphe.
Aside from his roundabout obsession, Beresford also produces other calendars, such as ‘Roadworks of Redditch’, which highlights the positive aspects of road construction. He believes that roadworks not only serve a necessary purpose but also provide employment opportunities for people.
Another popular calendar concept by Beresford is ‘Car Parks of the UK’, inspired by a project he did for the AA in 2006. This unique calendar showcases the diversity and design of car parks across the United Kingdom.
With his quirky calendars and dedication to celebrating the mundane, Beresford has carved out a niche for himself in the world of calendar art. Who knew that roundabouts and roadworks could be so fascinating?
