A baked beans superfan has closed his infamous Heinz “museum” worth upwards of £5,000 and says now his focus will be on finding love.
Barry Kirk – who has legally changed his name to Captain Beany – was the proud owner of the Baked Bean Museum of Excellence since 2009.
But after announcing the council flat-turned-shrine to beans in Port Talbot would be closed due to renovations in February, the fanatic began auctioning off the entire collection – asking for a starting bid of £5,000.
Now, Captain Beany, 68, has announced the official closure of his life’s work after failing to sell it.
But while he is devastated at the loss of the collection, he says he is setting his sights elsewhere – on finding a partner.
“At this current moment in time, I feel a sense of deep loss as if it was my true good friend, almost human like,” he told http://NeedToKnow.co.uk .
“It has been one labour of love amassing one vast collection of well over 450 memorabilia from all over the world.
“I placed it on eBay for the princely sum of £5,000 whereby 50% proceeds going to charity.
“It failed to receive its asking price on nine occasions and I felt so deflated.
“I decided to depart with the museum as it is no longer part of my life, and I’m looking forward towards the future with other prospective opportunities.
“I would love now to settle down with thoughts of sharing my very eccentric relationship with a future ‘Tina Beans’ as I have been an ‘edible’ bachelor all my life!”
Taking to social media to break the news to fans, he wrote: “R.I.P Baked Bean Museum Of Excellence (2009-2023).
“Bit of an emotional one for myself today my fellow human beans! Farewell I knew you so well!”
The post garnered hundreds of likes, with users sharing their sorrow.
Liz Beavan Walter commented: “End of an era but the start of a new one. Captain Beany will rise above it.”
Kimberly O’Donnell said: “So sad to see this. Had a fab crazy time when I visited. Was just what I needed as was in a back brace recovering from a broken back and it really cheered me up. You are such a genuinely lovely funny guy. I raise a (beans on) toast to you.” [sic]
Grimez Craig added: “Sad to hear this, your Baked Bean Museum was awesome! Thankfully you have created many great memories for a lot of people. Thank you.”
Others called for ‘SOB’ (save our beans).
Allen Blethyn said: “What a sad day.”
Dimitris Legakis added: “Best museum in the world ever!”
Explaining the future of his collection, Captain Beany said: “I am very fortunate now to despatch some of my Heinz memorabilia to the Heritage of Advertising Trust in Norfolk who have taken them for archival storage for the foreseeable future.
“The majority will be auctioned off and all proceeds donated to local charities.”
He added: “My future dream would be having my name endorsed on a can of baked beans – I can never fathom why mainstream baked bean manufacturers haven’t approached me to market these in-store with a percentage going to charity.
“Perhaps, in ‘Heinzsight’, that may well be in the can for sure!”
