I remember those blanks as well. I just looked up the Sharpes of Aberdeen website, and it appears they no longer make bamboo rods. By the looks of the carbon rods they carry (and prices) they appear to be Asian imports. I could be wrong about that though.
The English fly fishing industry is no longer what it used to be. Even Hardy has sold out to Globalism and much of their stuff is made in Korea now.

J.