Leap Year Baby &
     Blue Peter Star

Nothing passes Hungerford Arcade by, not even Leap Year. We had a lovely couple who came to shop at the Arcade, Raymond and Suzanne.  Suzanne is a Leap Year baby, born 29th February 1956.  Coincidentally, their daughter, Lisa, is also a Leap Year baby again, born on a Wednesday, 29th February 1984.  Suzanne must have been 7 when Lisa was born. How lovely to grow old every four years instead of every one. 

Husband Raymond, is a BBC Blue Peter star and appeared on the programme four times and obviously earned his famous Blue Peter Badge.
Rita

For all  the latest news, go to our Newsletter at www.hungerfordarcade.co.uk

The Valuation Days at Hungerford Arcade are always very popular.  The Jewellery Valuation Day went exceptionally well with our two experts, Adrian Jefferies and Frances Jones at the helm.  There were many happy faces leaving the Arcade on that day. 

Adrian and Frances will be back later in the year for more jewellery valuations so watch this space.
Rita

For all the latest news, go to our Newsletter at www.hungerfordarcade.co.uk

Today we met Danny Pratt who plays for Reading Rhinos RFC.  Danny’s team is the over 35s but he tells me that most of them are actually over 50.  
A lifelong devotee of the rugby club, Danny was in the Arcade adding to his ever growing collection of more than one hundred rhinos!  He told me he also has a Reading Rhinos tattoo, but it was the middle of the day so I didn’t ask him to take his trousers off to show me!

Danny with his purchase

The rhinos he managed to find today included a large china one, a medium sized silver one and a few little lead ones.  He was very happy with his purchase and will be back for more when his wife has recovered from the thought of his collection taking up even more space in the house.
The Rhinos over 35s play as far west as Hungerford and as far east as High Wickham, so if you fancy watching a good game of rugby, look them up for their next match near you.

A silver rhino similar to the one Danny bought

Alex

What a wonderful atmosphere there was at Hungerford Arcade today and indeed the Town itself because today was Fly A Flag For The Commonwealth Day which will be celebrated by all 53 Commonwealth Nations around the world.  The Commonwealth of Nations was founded on 11th December 1931 and is one of the oldest political association of states in the world; its roots dating back to the days of the British Empire.

Julian Tubb, Bellman & Town Crier Town Constable, Susan Hofgartner Hungerford Mayor, Dennis Benneyworth Elizabeth Fairthful-Davies, Commanding Officer 6th Battalion R.E.M.E

Children from Hungerford Primary School

Everyone gathered outside the Town Hall. Julian Tubb, Bellman and Town Crier brought everyone to order for speeches from the Mayor of Hungerford, Dennis Benneyworth who also read out a message from Her Majesty the Queen. The Deputy Mayor, Roger Thompson, read a message from the Commonwealth 
Secretary General.  Also in attendance, wearing her chain of office, was the Constable of Hungerford, Susan Hofgartner. Claire Barnes, the Town Clerk who organised this important event said they are very proud to have present, Elizabeth Faithful-Davies, Commanding Officer of 6th Battalion R.E.M.E.

Sandie Crouter and Sam Newton, Cornet players in the Hungerford Town Band, played as the Commonwealth Flag was raised. The boys and girls of Hungerford Primary School joined in to sing the National Anthem. After the ceremony, everyone was invited into the Town Hall for a buffet and refreshments which, I must say, went down well with the children.
Rita

Hungerford Mayor and Stallholder at Hungerford Arcade, Dennis Benneyworth with Arcade co-owner, Adrian Gilmour

Love it or hate it, Facebook is undeniably a very useful resource.  Without Facebook, I would never have found Lynash Antiques, tucked away in the small harbour town of Banff on the northerly coast of Aberdeenshire in Scotland.

Alison’s lovely old “Baker’s Bike”

Sitting in a little cafe, having a cup of coffee, I thought I would check for a local shop or two to while away a couple of hours in.  So a quick search on my phone and the first and only result was the Facebook page of Lynash Antiques, just a few minutes walk away.    

Quality control!

The actual shop is a room upstairs, above the office (from what I could tell) of a tyre merchant and wasn’t easy to spot.  But once I had found it, it wasn’t difficult to find interesting things to look at.  The owner, Alison, was so friendly and welcoming, we actually lost track of time chatting.

  

Inside Alison’s shop

Like me, Alison is a big fan of anything a bit different – from cast iron foundry made signs, to delicate jewellery and everything in between, she has managed to fit such an eclectic mix of hundreds of items into a relatively small space.  It would be easy to cast an eye around and decide that you’ve seen it all, but if you just look a little closer, maybe do a bit of rummaging, you’ll come across something you’ve never seen before.

  

A scenic view of Banff. “Banffscotland” by Anne Burgess.

Alison, I would like to thank you for your time and for showing me around your shop.  Come to Hungerford Arcade any time you like and I will return the favour!  

Alex

The pool at Mary Hare School was built over 30 years ago.  Whilst the pool itself is still in good order, we need to re-build the cover and changing rooms. 

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Colonel Wilde

What a wonderful day we had at Hungerford Arcade today. The door opened and in strode what looked like a British Army Regiment.  In fact, Colonel Wilde told me, the men and women were from a wide range of regiments.  Medics, Logistics,  

Royal Artillery, Infantry, Cavalry, Engineers and more. They had eight weeks left of a nine month high quality education course to post-graduate level and conduct research in fields related to defence.  All this happens at the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom.  I managed to photograph them (with Colonel Wilde’s permission, of course) while they were having a break in the Arcade upstairs in Rafters Cafe`.  The smell of bacon sandwiches and fresh coffee was wonderful.

I must introduce you to an amazing Border Collie named Cody and his owner, Major Charlotte Hayes.  He goes everywhere with Charlotte and you can see they are part of one another. Cody looks every inch a Military Collie!












It was great meeting you all and look forward to your return.
Rita