Abandoned 1980 - the HILTON PARK TOWER (M6) - Part 2

Another QUALITY video! Maps, titles, music, voice-overs, a lot of effort goes into editing these videos. Welcome back to Part 2, where we explore the rest of the tower.
PART 1: • M6 Hilton Park Service...
PART 2: (you're watching it)
PART 3: • Old Otis machine - but...
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LINKS:
HILTON PARK LIFT MOTOR ROOM (full video):
• Hilton Park M6 - 1966 ...
SEE THE OLD OTIS PASSENGER LIFT WORKING:
• UNWELCOMING OTIS LIFT ...
PLAYLIST WITH ALL HILTON PARK AND LANCASTER VIDEOS:
(towers, lift motor rooms and towers - 8 videos!)
• M6 Lancaster & Hilton ...
The MRPHILL100 channel: / mrphill100
M6 LANCASTER TOWER (pennine tower) EXPLORE:
• Video
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FACEBOOK:
/ mrmattandmrchay-110000...
Please give us a 'like', thank you! :)
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MERCHANDISE AVAILABLE! Please support our channel by getting Siren and Lift merch from: www.mrmattandmrchay.com
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IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT SAFETY AND KZbin:
My channel does not promote or glamourise dangerous activities like lift surfing.
Featured in THE SUN and THE MIRROR newspapers:
• Teaching KIDS TO SURF ... (see this KID trying to surf a lift)
VERY WORRYING...
• Random lift adventure 13 (12 year old kids surfing lifts)
mrmattandmrchay is a RESPONSIBLE and RESPECTABLE channel.
It goes without saying that KZbin is a public platform and our channels are popular with kids, and kids are influenced by what they watch. I'd like to think these kids didn't get the idea of surfing lifts from 'my' channel.
A warning in a video DOES NOT exonerate you if harm should come to a kid that was copying something that YOU have portrayed as a fun activity.
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THE MRMATTANDMRCHAY CHANNEL, established 2008:
I'm passionate about uploading quality and interesting videos for YOU, my audience.
What is my channel about? "Old lift machinery made interesting", old air-raid sirens, prehistoric alarm equipment. If "I" don't find it interesting ...then IT DOESN'T GET UPLOADED!
I always spend a lot of time editing my videos with animations, video in-sync with music and voice overs to bring you QUALITY videos to watch.
My moto - "Quality NOT Quantity" - spending a month editing a video is not a rarity!
But without you, I'm nothing here. Thank you so much for watching.
...mrmattandmrchay is me (Matt) and my son Chay.

[@mason6300]

There is something nostalgic about the architecture of the 70's. For years people hated it and thought it was ugly, but now we are removing so much of it when you come across a remaining example of it, there is a unique quality to it which is quite endearing. Maybe its because it reminds me of being a kid, and no, not a 70's kid, a 90's kid, remember we grew up in this old stuff!

[@freedomisslavery6840]

No, it's still butt ugly.

[@vinylcabasse]

@@freedomisslavery6840 it all depends on the correct proportions. the best examples of classical architecture have great proportion as well as detailed ornamentation; the bad examples have bad proportion but they still have ornamentation to fall back on... modernism only has the former...

[@mrclucker1969]

I remember walking across that bridge!! Looks so different abandoned. Another thing I noticed is how clean the lift motor room was compared to the ventilation room - shows what shifting loads of air around will do for dust levels!

[@marcwaller3657]

The Bridge is still in use, it's only the tower that's abandoned

[@Scotty-UK]

I live 10 minutes from here and remember going across the gantry as a kid, still see it weekly passing 👍

[@bshingledecker]

Aside from the beauty and nostalgia, I am amazed this whole property is still intact and has minimal damage from vandals. On my side of the pond, there is no respect for things that are not yours or buildings or areas that have served their purpose and have been left for whatever awaits it in the future. I have never understood the mindset of destroying or defacing any type of property. AND, your videos are over and above in quality and detail. Well done.

[@jonusjonus9271]

loving the details and attention to the building's mechanical systems!

[@ksbs2036]

Such a captivating ethereal tour through an amazing space. I felt like I was watching a scene out of Blade Runner (the music helps). I was only going to watch the elevator technical episode, but ended up watching all four parts. Well done [I am from Ottawa, Canada, but used to live in Nottingham as a boy]

[@IanGSully]

Awww man! That would be so cool to see that tower in operation again!

[@DanielMeakin1]

Really interesting video of a nice looking building. I find my estate where I live interesting with the triangle roof design as it was built in the 1970s.

[@FLCollection620]

2:29 Oh look a fluorescent tube.

[@Petertronic]

Superbly done exploration, all so smooth with amazing creepy ambience. Love this stuff!

[@oaklandexcelsior7]

Excellent video matt. This place really does have a spooky vibe to it. It's a shame its been left to rot.

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Thanks! I suppose there's nothing much else to do with it without spending a lot of money. The reason it closed in the first place was lack of trade to keep it open. The intentions of Top Rank was to built something unique that people would want to see - in practice, it's now a derelict tower that's too costly to remove without redeveloping the whole place. It's a shame really.

[@Why24244]

Hey I just found your channel and already a massive fan love the videos and how informative they are the best abandoned exploration channels on KZbin

[@idl3k_elev]

Another excellent tour and collaboration with mrphill100! I'm assuming the original passenger OTIS lift was no longer working when you were there? That tower surely looks fun and interesting to explore with all those weird hidden corners and old fashioned electrical equipment and fixtures.

[@cytone101]

You chose the perfect ambient music for this.

[@brunoais]

Simply A!W!E!S!O!M!E!!! As usual. I'll be waiting for part 3 \o/

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Thanks Brunoais!

[@timbo19]

At 8:24 there is a clue that this place had some sort of use after it being closed in 1980 - the MK Logic Plus grid switch on the wall to the right. The Logic Plus range was not manufactured until the late 1990s and are still made to this day.

[@oliverstemp9132]

It was open until the early 2000s

[@timbo19]

@@oliverstemp9132 there were other clues too like the thermal printed labels on the switches for the kitchen appliances. In the 80s they would have been using the old Dymo embossed labels such as can be seen on the extraction controls.

[@eurosonly]

I remember this place being mentioned on Top Gear once. I think a place like this would definitely succeed because of how pressured for time society has become. It's become a social norm to just grab a bite to eat on the way to work or home rather than prepare a meal at home before leaving. The same goes for coffee. A lot of people would spend a few minutes in queue to have something made for them today instead of making it themselves even if it means they'll run a little late.

[@MrTechfreak95]

Amazing Video. I like those... I hope you did have some particle filter masks up in the Ventilation service floor, it looked very very dusty.

[@ZZ9ProductionsOFFICIAL]

another awesome video as always and looking forward to part 3 as well!

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Thanks ZZ9!

[@LawnMowersThingsThatMakeNoise]

i wish this was used today. its really sad that places get left for rack and ruin :-( a retro 1970's cafe could operate here. the lift could be converted for disabled access.

[@DatamasterCorporation]

Amazing content as always.

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Thanks datamaster

[@FrustratedApe]

Thats amazing I have a weird phobia about water tanks as well!!!

[@seaneduardodiaz9894]

holdup.. the building is like abandoned but the lift motors look almost new lmaooo and soooo clean! :O someone cares about those engines despite tower abadonment!

[@oneteaminbristolbcfc]

Brilliant

[@audvidgeek]

something I noticed about this that probably also made it abandoned NO TOILETS! In North America, you must have toilets directly accessible to a dining area.

[@TerryClarkAccordioncrazy]

This is superb footage, like a sort of responsible dodgy-ness.

[@ajs2120]

That'll be Asbestos rope used for the seal of that isolator at 13:17. It was used in quite alot of electrical apparatus due to it's excellent fire retarding properties.

[@peterfarley3217]

I enjoy your videos. Watching this one I thought it odd that in the tower area the central and dining area floor was raised but other parts the floor was lower and steps up and down everywhere. Do you have any knowledge or thought on how the whole floor was originally and if and why they added the raised floor sections later?

[@scottwalker2619]

I'm sure part of the tower was opened albeit briefly in the mid noughties as a truck drivers restaurant, the blue carpet tiles definitely rang a bell, truck drivers got cheap dinners with a voucher from filling up with derv

[@christopher-2000]

awesome

[@bobbyrayofthefamilysmith24]

Kinda sad seeing the machinery sitting unused and missing parts especially considering the effort and cost that went into designing and manufacturing that equipment.

[@alarmmuseum]

Great explore!! Not keen on that Response bell box at 1:57

[@jaquesaulait]

Interesting. It would be good to see photos from back in the day when it was bustling.

[@mrlister2000]

You've got the same fear as me! I can't go near a water header tank like that one, they completely freak me out!

[@nyler10]

I thought it was just me... it must be a genuine thing then!

[@spookybaba]

Can you pinpoint what may have caused such?

[@mrlister2000]

@@spookybaba darkness, and not knowing what is inside the tanks. As daft as that sounds. Boiler rooms and pipes freak me out too

[@oliverstemp9132]

Would have been so cool to see it open, it’s got a hint of futurism

[@Lucinda5ara]

Was it only me that saw the words asbestos floor. Omg I hope you had masks on and changed your clothes. So scared when you moved stuff

[@mikecawood]

The only time I have ever stopped at Hylton Park Services (North bound side) was to use the loo.

[@MrAustin241080]

I know it’s not really lift related but as I kid In the late 1980’s and early 1990’s I used to regularly visit the old Oust services on our way to holiday at Pendine Sands where the building overlooked the river seven. Do you have or know anyone who has footage of this service station. Think it’s now renamed Seven view and moved into the tiny truckers cafe building when they sold off the original building

[@paulstubbs7678]

Strange, yet the power was still on - as in some lights.

[@SB-vb8ch]

Glad it isn't just me with water tanks! I really dislike them for no rational reason!

[@Millay2006]

Would love to have seen if the rest of the abbey national sign was there. I think I saw some of the banks colours in the first video in what you labeled a store room, maybe a little abbey national was based there

[@tomsixsix]

Interesting that the fire exit signs, emergency lights, fire call buttons etc are all in good condition - presumably these have to be maintained even if the building is effectively derelict.

[@andrewhaines3259]

The electrics were either tested in July 2022 which can be seen written on the consumer unit or were due a retest at that point so yes it needs checking so that any deterioration that may cause a fault can be detected and dealt with.

[@slendermanRblx]

I wouldn't be surprised if some of that thick dust that coated the things in the plant room was asbestos dust. Since from some angles it looked like as if the equipment had been left out in the snow.

[@mrmattandmrchay]

I'm no expert, but I'm assuming it's dust. It's like in your home, unless you clean then dust settles and is easily desturbed. The reason it looks like snow is I have a powerful video light, which is right beside the camera lens. This is the dust reflecting that's near to the camera lens.

[@robputt]

I agree, there is asbestos everywhere in this place, I noticed from the video asbestos containing floor tiles, asbestos insulation board in the walls (some of it broken), artex wall / ceiling coverings that are likely to contain asbestos, asbestos rope in that electrical fixture that was closed and opened again. There is ALOT of dust, I am sure most of it is just that dust, but I also suspect due to lack of maintenance and the general condition of the place some asbestos fibres were also present in the dust / air due the the friability of the materials presented.

[@testplayer564_offtopic6]

that looks awesome I like abandoned buildings by the way why did you stop uploading? I want more of this!

[@mrmattandmrchay]

My next video - I keep getting "ideas" which means what was once a simple video has turned into a mega-video editing project!! It's nearly ready, but also I've not had a lot of quality time to edit it recently.

[@testplayer564_offtopic6]

@@mrmattandmrchay oh I can’t wait to see😃😃

[@britboi0276]

You should look into the bracknell hotel… I hear alot of things are starting

[@PurityVendetta]

Great video, thanks for taking the time. I have to say, I wonder how most UK motorway services remain open full stop. The extortionate prices for food and fuel mean that I can't remember the last time I used one. I'm guessing it's the usual story in britain that someone in the financial food chain is extorting the cash.

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Thanks for the comment Purity. Seems to be more of them popping up though. I've noticed that their overall appearance has improved over the last 15 years. Costs are still high though and yes, you do wonder WHY they are so high (perhaps everyone being a captive audience, and they 'can' get people to pay is a reason)

[@PurityVendetta]

@@mrmattandmrchay I do wonder whether the high pricing has something to do with the way services are licensed and granted permission to operate. Now it's possible to just tap into a satnav to find the nearest 'off motorway' petrol station I'm amazed they can still make money. I remember, having just passed my test back in '81 stopping at Strencham services on a motorbike in winter. It was like a truck stop with gravel parking and the coffee was truly revolting, only good for warming your frozen fingers on 😁 Times certainly have changed. Such a shame that the tower isn't used I used to like a cuppa while watching the traffic flying by.

[@ag6371]

It’s quite rare for vent hood blowers to be in a enclosed room. Normally the vent blowers are located externally on the roof

[@vancouverelevators_transit]

Is the Otis elevator still working under the tower?

[@cjmillsnun]

Great that Mr Phill and you got permission for the explore, and it's a shame that this will never be used again, but the costs and H&S involved in doing so would be prohibitive.

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Thanks for the comment! In the end, it's all about costs and getting back those costs. If the tower was about to collapse, then this would justify the cost to remove and redevelop the whole area. Unfortunately, the tower, it's design, where it is - it's easier to leave it where it is, rather spending money on it. If they turned the tower into something like a hotel, this would require gutting and a complete refurbishment. Access for disabled people, more fire escapes, massive amount of effort and money required. And the new business would need to make enough money to repay this AND make a profit each year. With Birmingham just 15 miles south with endless options for hotels, I'd guess that a hotel (with the continuous sound of traffic going past) wouldn't be popular.

[@richardyoung1053]

@@mrmattandmrchay I suppose the older it gets the more likely bits of it might start falling off. Then they would be forced into action. The fire risk must be quite high although I suspect as the majority of old wiring / equipment is disconnected the risk is minimal.

[@dykodesigns]

The heating system is interesting. It seems like a mixture of a normal hot water system and air heated solution. Air heating systems are not very efficient, water has a higher heat capacity then air as the transport medium.

[@mrmattandmrchay]

The radiator system is somewhat the same as ordinary heating systems found here in the UK, except these have the fans to speed up the process of heating the surrounding air. Looks like a custom made system, the open terminal block, the rack where the fans slot in and the variable resistor at the back. Would be cool to see that running! I was wondering what stops liquid from being poured in from the top, right on top of the mains terminal block and fans!!

[@kuronekogaming8378]

These Towers will make a good Ego Shooter Map 😂

[@mikecawood]

I'm a "nice and safe on the ground floor" type of person.

[@theelmonk]

Water tanks worry you but you happily inspected the alien eggs (11:55) !

[@StrawberrySunday212]

I can't even imagine that being nice even when it was opened. I'm surprised it's not been bought and turned into apartment's.

[@gorsmy]

In the early 2000 the upper floor used to be a trucks lounge on the north side

[@liamemmaairraidsiren9046]

Hi Matt 👋

[@edisondobson335]

How is the power still on?

[@Psatir_Rill_no_fek]

Try starting the blowers

[@benlovemusicuk]

How safe is that ladder?

[@darploin5071]

Is there any maintenance done to the structure itself so it doesn't risk a collapse he said it's been closed since the mid 80s so we're talking about 35 years 37 years with no real maintenance to the structure itself they need to take it down before it does become a hazard

[@spookybaba]

How clean was that motor room at the end!!!?

[@mistofoles]

Albert J. - The floor was closed because it was derelict and they didn't want people wandering about up there.

[@sgtscott8900]

Drove past the Lancaster site a few weeks ago heading home from Alton towers we thought about parking up and trying an urbex but it was 1am so decided not to

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Ah cool! All access doors are now locked by the way! That was just a lucky find in part 1 with the landing door.

[@FrostyGaming8394]

Yes part 2 you been to check out the old otis lift at hilton park services Matt by the way how you doing and hows Chay doing my mate

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Hi! We're ok thanks! Chay is nearly 18 years old now and he's doing fine also thanks. Hope you're ok! Which old otis lift do you mean by the way?

[@FrostyGaming8394]

@@mrmattandmrchay I meant the old otis passenger lift at Hilton Park Services whats going on with it.

[@mrmattandmrchay]

@@FrostyGaming8394 I did film those lifts, but there was nothing new to report. Yes they're still working but they're not anywhere near as interesting as the ones below the tower.

[@VOLTRONDEFENDER4440]

Why was even that floor closed? It had stairs

[@ag6371]

8:30 That stock room is 0.5m higher than tower level

[@Brendan_Keyport-WA7BMK]

Matt, what's the basin that you've got a phobia about?

[@ag6371]

That's a water tank with a ball valve

[@mrmattandmrchay]

It's not actually the tank of water I'm afraid of, it's the automatics (especially ball values). This is similar to my phobia of lifts when I was a kid - it's the "NOT SEEING" the actual machine and the object that's creating the noise that perhaps relates to our primal "fear of the unknown" that's in all of us. Ball valves in a dark tank. You have to make an effort to 'uncover' the monster inside - Mostly the ball is bright coloured (orange) so you'll see it before you see anything else. But in appearance, it's limescaley and HISSES when it moves or disturbed accidentally. From the outside, the 'automatics' are invisible but things are happening - you can hear it but you can't see it. I had an incident when I was about 5 or 6 years old involving a toilet water tank, removing the cover not expecting to see a limescaley green ball bobbing up and down which I knocked - water hissed into the tank (very loud as it was under mains water pressure), I dropped the lid in panic and it's stayed with me every since.

[@darploin5071]

Okay those red wires in that box I wouldn't play with them they can handle $650 volts and that's a lot going through them if it's live or without a multimeter you won't be able to find out

[@darploin5071]

A company that owns a truck stop needs the least maintain the roof of that structure and the reason for that is to keep water from infiltrating it and rotting it within

[@rodev93]

Hope you upload again

[@mrmattandmrchay]

It's coming...! Sorry, yes, no activity for a couple of months because there's a lot going on at the moment and I've not had enough quality time to concentrate on editing long enough to get a video done! Good news is, I've nearly finished two videos and hopefully at least one will be up next week. Thanks for the message,.

[@rodev93]

@@mrmattandmrchay I really like how much effort you put into your content keep it up 🙃

[@rodev93]

@@mrmattandmrchay is the vid still getting uploaded

[@mrmattandmrchay]

@@rodev93 kzbin.info/www/bejne/qH3TmpeArtZrrpY

[@archivushka]

What's the ambient music you're using?

[@mrmattandmrchay]

It's all from the youtube audio library, else I risk copywrite or losing monetisation.

[@archivushka]

@@mrmattandmrchay The library is so vast, I'm afraid I won't find some. But frankly AHA music can search easily trough that. Thank you.

[@mrmattandmrchay]

If you can give me an idea of the music in the video (give me the MM:SS) then I'll let you know what it is. I had to do it the hard way and it took a lot of time - download EVERY ambient track (hundreds!!) and play when all when i'm in the car to see what I do/do not like. Took a lot of time to do.

[@jamesbaird9691]

How odd there's no toilets anywhere? I guess no one needed them?

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Oh yes, I didn't think of that!! But you are right, no toilets in the tower!

[@TheN1Chris]

When were you there??? I was there literally two days ago!

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Ah...This was a month or two ago. I'm assuming the old otis lift still isnt working?

[@TheN1Chris]

@@mrmattandmrchay If by that you mean the Otis lift on the other side of the motorway, the customer lift was running. The old Otis goods lift below the tower still isn’t running from what I saw.

[@mrmattandmrchay]

@@TheN1Chris Forgot about the ones on the southbound side - they're not as interesting as the ones on the tower side. It's unlikely we'll see the unmodernised otis lift on the tower side working again - been out of action for a long while now. Last video I saw, the intercom on the side wall was removed exposing the lift shaft from the cab! You could put your hand through it!

[@richardyoung1053]

@@mrmattandmrchay can't see it going back into service anytime soon. The access to the fan plant room looks to have been upgraded recently. I.presume to make it Health and Safety compliant in the event access is required.

[@brunoais]

@@mrmattandmrchay :O

[@adamharris5355]

Curious about your water tank phobia!… not mocking just curious…

[@Petertronic]

There are a couple of videos about it on the channel

[@Lift.Tracker]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gnPdmp5jjdmbe5Y Question 28

[@theiachannel2759]

I've just watched the beno exposed movie. I know it's completely irrelevant to this video. I don't suppose you remember my video that I uploaded a number of years ago now. This is what I commented the beno movie video: I must admit the 8 year old in mrmattandnrchays video was me. I was 8 at the time and was very interested in lifts, obviously being a kid I saw videos on KZbin of lift surfing and thought I might try it one day. I never did and never will even though I was 8 at the time I still did understand the risks involved and decided not to. It's not worth risking my life just for a few minutes of fun. Now I have grown up doing otherthings like fixing construction equipment and sort of lost interest in lifts don't get me wrong if there is still a lift I will take a ride in it. Now looking back on my video which as now been removed like most of my old videos I do realise that I shouldn't have posted it. the footage of lift surfing was taken off the internet and not actually me. I'm writing this comment to try and deter young people from surfing lifts. Being young you might not understand or think twice about the risks involved. Before doing something risky just think is it worth risking my life doing. I was also a beno fan back then but no longer am I preferred his videos of just riding lifts. I now don't make many KZbin videos only uploading on occasions. Now in the present day I don't agree with some of the things beno does and I don't agree with unauthorised lift surfing some people especially younger people don't understand the risks involved. Now I can't stop people from lift surfing but I have removed all videos related to lift surfing off of my channel. If people do want to enter lift shafts they should understand and enter at their own risk. Kids should not see this sort of content on KZbin and be influenced by it. It's only a matter of time a child could be injured because of one of these lift surfing videos. I know this is a long comment and completely irrelevant to this video but if you are a kid who's considering lift surfing please take my word and think twice it's not worth risking your life. Thank you.

[@wokinggrange1408]

Random alarm box at 01:55, what for?

[@thedjer9190]

I wondered the same!

[@mrmattandmrchay]

I'm assuming it was a "quick-fix" solution to having a security system in the tower, or could have been just for the stock room. I saw no evidence of PIRs, door contacts, etc - so it was just there for a purpose in it's history (looks like 2010-ish?), but now like the rest of the things in the tower it's another piece of left over equipment that doesn't work anymore!

[@thedjer9190]

@@mrmattandmrchay I guess so, I'm surprised it even worked anyway being solar powered.

[@gavinprosser]

And there is still electric 40 years after it closed??? Who pays the bloody bill?

[@neosstuff]

long time lol i made a new account because i forgot the password to other one

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Hi, what was your account name before so that I can remember you?

[@neosstuff]

@@mrmattandmrchay oreo official

[@badbassandblowing-salakihz8740]

Hello i have a video of not new elevator but a elevator, anything you could need for a video? I will upload it for my channel so you can see it.

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Thanks for the offer, but I'm very particular about what I upload. It has to be something that I'm interested in, and that is ONLY older generation lifts and old sirens.

[@badbassandblowing-salakihz8740]

@@mrmattandmrchayOoorh okay its fair.

[@ag6371]

*1980 not 1990

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Many thanks for noticing that - now corrected! :)

[@dw1444]

why not speak in your vids of wht you see it will help

[@brunoais]

I prefer to let things show themselves and having some text for extras. I really like indulging of no other speech for most of the video. It helps keeing the wonder and curiosity!

[@mrmattandmrchay]

I'm not a fan of these "say what you see" videos - I mean "here's a motor, that looks old, I'll have to look up the details later on this. Wow, this looks really old, that's so cool, that's dusty" - to me it's just unneccessary chitchat and it's annoying! Nah, not my style. And, when I replay the footage, I'll identify that I hate what I've been talking about, then you'll end up with a video with no audio when I remove it. If there's something to be said, prefer to research it, then add it as a voiceover afterwards. But having random voice overs through the 17 minute long video doesn't sound right either.

[@brunoais]

@@mrmattandmrchay I also don't like them at all. I do prefer some low volume music (although, sometimes I dislike the song) and let voice-over just add extra information that is not what is being shown. The basic principles of "show; don't tell"