The Christmas lights were switched on in Hungerford at the weekend and everyone is gearing up for the Festive Season.

This year, the Hungerford Arcade Christmas windows bring a stunning contrast of Fire and Ice, transforming the front of the building into a festive showcase you won’t want to miss.

Unit 127 – The Ice Window

Step into a world of winter magic.

The unit is dressed in shimmering cool whites and frosty blues, complete with delicate snowflakes and elegant white baubles.

The display captures the stillness and sparkle of a frozen landscape — calm, crisp, and serene.  It’s the perfect dose of winter wonder to get you into the Christmas spirit.

Unit 109 – The Fire Window.

In complete contrast, Unit 109 glows with warmth and opulence.

This display blends a rich Silk Road–meets–Venice theme, filled with golden tones, luxurious colours, and a sense of festive abundance.  It combines jewelled toned sari fabrics with gilded treasures for a cross-cultural feel.

It’s warm, inviting, and wonderfully theatrical — a window that feels like stepping into a glowing, exotic celebration.

Come and See Them!

Whether you’re drawn to icy elegance or golden warmth, the Hungerford Arcade Christmas windows offer something truly special this season. If you’re in the area, come along, take a look, and enjoy a little festive inspiration.

I received this email as a poignant reminder of how cruel wars are, not just for the brave men and women who fought in them, but for the horses, mules and donkeys who were taken from their homes to a world no-one could have dreamed of.  The unsung heroes.

Please read this email and do what you can to help these brave animals through the world wide suffering they still endure to this day

Rita

Image: Major General the Rt Hon Jack Seely on his war horse Warrior

Credit: Painting by Sir Alfred Munnings

“His escapes were quite wonderful. Again and again he survived when death seemed certain… It was not all hazard; sometimes it was due to his intelligence.” — General Jack Seely, about Warrior

Dear Rita,

Warrior was born on the Isle of Wight in 1908. By 1914, he was sent to fight on the Western Front with General Jack Seely. Through mud, shells, machine-gun fire, and unimaginable chaos at the Somme and Ypres, he survived. At Passchendaele he was buried under debris, often stuck in the mud, twice trapped under the burning beams of his stables. Yet he came home. He lived until he was 33. Warrior’s story is one of bravery, survival, and love.

He was not alone. More than 8 million horses, donkeys and mules served in the First World War. Most never made it back.

Mules rarely stood in the spotlight, but their courage was no less real. In World War I, they were valued for their endurance: fewer supplies needed, better tolerance to heat and cold, less vulnerable to disease. Mule trains carried vital ammunition and supplies through muddy trenches, sometimes working 14-16 hour shifts under fire.

One mule, carrying soldiers’ mail, acted instinctively as the hillside beneath him gave way, pushing his handler to safety and saving the letters that meant the world to the men at the front. It was an act no one forgot.

While Warrior’s battles are finished, thousands of working animals still face hardship every day – animals carrying water, helping families, pulling ploughs, just to make a living possible.

We’re honoured to join Petplan’s Animals in War Memorial Service to remember those animals, past and present.

Brooke’s WW1 Blog Curious how these stories still echo today? Our new blog reflects on how remembering our past – Warrior and the many animals like him – can inspire us to care better for working animals now. READ OUR BLOG	Your Legacy A gift in your Will is one of the most profound ways to ensure the animals you love are honoured, today, tomorrow and always. Let your compassion live on, and walk with them, forever. FIND OUT MORE	Share Your Memory Share a photo and memory of a four-legged friend who’s touched your life and join our Every Horse Remembered living memorial. Together, we honour their legacy and the animals still working tirelessly around the world. VISIT THE MEMORIAL

Hungerford Arcade held their Annual Vintage Military Vehicles Display on Sunday 2nd November 2025 — an inspiring event held in support of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal. With a proud line-up of restored military vehicles, and historical exhibits provided by Montys Misfits, our local living history group and education team.  The day was both a celebration of heritage and a moment of heartfelt remembrance.

Enthusiasts and families alike gathered to admire an impressive array of vehicles spanning decades of military history. From rugged jeeps and armoured carriers to

carefully preserved motorcycles, each display told a story — a living tribute to the service and sacrifice of generations past and present.

Montys Misfits, as ever, produced a wonderful display of vintage weaponry and equipment.

They greatly added to the day with their knowledge that captured the spirit of camaraderie and remembrance. It reminded everyone of the resilience and unity that have always defined our armed forces.

Beyond the engines and uniforms, the purpose of the day remained clear — to support the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, which continues to provide vital assistance to veterans, serving personnel, and their families. Visitors contributed generously, helping ensure that the legacy of remembrance endures for years to come.

A huge thank you to Gary and June Crook for arranging such a wonderful display of vintage military vehicles, seen here with Alan Pavier in the middle!  Everyone enjoyed seeing these incredible machines and learning the stories behind them.

Lest We Forget.

We love our classic cars and motoring memorabilia here at Hungerford Arcade.  Here is a short article from our contributor Stuart Miller-Osborne.

“Sir

Through the pages of your excellent magazine I wonder if I could trace the whereabouts of two cars that belonged to my father in years gone by.  The first was a 1934 Lagonda Reg.No AXB 104 and the other was a 1932 Rolls Royce 20/25 .Reg. No. XJ 3029.  I should be very interested to hear from the present owners.

May I take the opportunity of thanking you for many hours of very enjoyable reading.”

This letter was written by a  chap named John Eastwood who lived in Sutton Coldfield over sixty years ago and was printed in the November 1959 edition of the popular motor racing magazine Motor Sport.  This magazine which still is very much alive began life as the Brooklands Gazette in 1924. It changed its name to the present one in August 1925.

I wonder if Mr Eastwood was ever contacted by the then owners of his father’s cars and if these beautiful cars are still in existence today.  If so they would be worth a fortune given the prices that classic cars fetch these days.

Who knows you might see one of them at a classic car event which are frequently held in Hungerford near the Arcade.

Just some of our wonderful friends from the West Berkshire Classic Vehicle Club at our May 2025 Classic Car Show

Apart from the great articles and photographs the magazine has some advertisements which almost bring a tear to one’s eye.

The prices quoted would not buy you one of the more upmarket season tickets at a Premiership football club these days!

The small ads are a treasure trove of social history with second hand cars and vans going for between £30 and £100.

Valspar car Lacquer is still available today.

I cannot say that I have seen any but I can assure you that may find vintage copies of Motor Sport and other motoring magazines if you look around the units.

Petrol Head memorabilia is also for sale in the Arcade including oil cans and signage as well as lots of ephemera.

Like everything it depends on how seriously you take your hobby. I paid 25p each for the four 1959 Motor Sport magazines and they have been an enjoyable read ever since.

Happy Hunting

Stuart

Hungerford Arcade is delighted to send our warmest congratulations to Gloria and Trevor Smith on the occasion of their Golden Wedding Anniversary on 14th June 2025

The couple, from Shipton Bellinger, recently spent some time in the Arcade looking for a suitable item of jewellery to commemorate the occasion.

They chose this stunning ruby and diamond ring from Unit 9, Nelly’s Collectables

We wish them a wonderful day and many more years together!

The sun was shining, the cars were glistening and the West Berkshire Classic Vehicle Club was in its element.

We all had a fantastic time with tea and coffee, cakes,  jam and cream scones, courtesy of Wendy.  Our customers and the general public were in awe of these amazing vehicles and the friendliness of all the owners.  There was a red, 1963 Heinkel Trojan 200 bubble car that kept everyone entertained all day.  Most people had never seen one and they were allowed to sit in it to see what it felt like to be behind the wheel!

Stunning Rover V8 3500 litre

 Ford Sierra Estate                                                                               Triumph Spitfire

Mark I Ford Consul                                                                               Ford Prefect

Ford Escort RS 2000

Triumph Stag

Martin in his amazing classic Fire Engine

also pictured above

Thank you Colleen, Mike and all the fabulous classic car owners

(and fire engine) who made today so special

We all love meeting new customers, especially if they are celebrating milestones with a visit to the Arcade.

Deb recently turned fifty (wouldn’t it be nice to be as young again?!) and chose to come down from London with a group of friends for the day. 

They spent a happy time with us looking in all the units before Deb decided to treat herself to some jewelllery.

Deb, the birthday girl, with Emma, with the pixie cut, Julia and Helen in the green coat.

They are a great group of girls who we hope we’ll see again soon!

Hungerford Arcade loves our celebrity visitors so we were particularly delighted when Clodagh McKenna Herbert popped in last week.  Even more so, when she posted a video of her visit on Instagram – our feed has been very busy with queries!

Clodagh was looking for items both for her home in London and for pieces to use to display food for her next book.  We had a lovely chat talking all things culinary and she passed on a recipe for a Frittart, which is really easy to make and delicious (See her Instagram page if you would like to try it).

From there, she went rummaging in Chula’s retro fashion unit 37, where she found this fabulous fake fur coat and vintage leather Kelly bag.  She plans to wear them at the Cheltenham Festival, which is on between 11th and 14th March, so watch out for her!

We look forward to welcoming her back soon.