Hungerford Arcade is full of all sorts of wonderful treasures and trinkets. Today we have this beautiul childrens silver charm bracelet!
Charm bracelets are known to have been used even as far back as 75,000 years ago made from shells or bone. They were originally thought to be made or given to warn off evil spirits or bad luck! In more recent times, Queen Victoria was famously known to wear and gift charm bracelets even starting a fashion for them amongst Europian nobles.
Such intricate detailing on the very small charms “Mouse with Cheese, Wishing Well, Sledging Bear and Mare with Foal!”
The individual charms on the bracelets usually carry a personal or sentimental attachment to the owner making many of these very unique indeed!
Today most famous for their charm bracelets, “Tiffany & Co” released their first charm bracelet in 1989 with the iconic dangling single heart cham. Although public interest in the Charm Bracelet waned in the latter 20th century, popularity increased after 2000 and vintage charms have been much sort after in fashion and by collectors.
Hungerford Arcade has many wonderful things in all the units and today, I want to show you the beautiful Sweetheart Brooches in Ann Parker’s Unit 42P.
Many wonderful things were made in the trenches of WWI from old shell cases and bullet casings. This gave the soldiers something to while away the hours and help take their mind off the long wait for the next order to go over the top and face the enemy once again! This was called Trench Art which is very popular from a collector’s point of view and you can often find wonderful examples of them at the Arcade.
During the Great War (WWI), service personnel desperately wanted to stay in touch with their loved ones and sent home many different types of memorbilia. Valentine’s Day, Birthdays and Christmas were all special occasions and men from the different Armed Forces started to make Sweetheart jewellery using their various badges and insignia to make Sweetheart brooches and pendants to send to their wives, girlfriends, sisters and mothers who would wear them with pride, remembering their brave men away at war in a foreign land. At the time, this would have been Regimental badges, Royal Navy insignia and the Royal Flying Corps wings.
Very rare Grenadier Guards Sweetheart Brooch in 18ct Gold and Diamonds
This tradition carried on into WWII. This time, the Sweetheart brooches insignia and badges were made in miniature by jewellers and other jewellery makers. Now, it included the Royal Air Force (formerly the Royal Flying Corps). Compared to the mainly big service badges and insignia, they were easier to wear on different types of clothing and were still very much treasured by the ladies who received them.
Today, these Sweetheart brooches are very collectable. They are a wonderful piece of our heritage and when you touch one, you can feel the love with which it was given and received.
As you can see, Ann (Unit 42P) has a wonderful collection. The next time you are in the Arcade, stop by her unit (by the desk) and have a look at the Sweetheart brooches and a great deal more.
Hungerford Arcade is no stranger to television, radio, magazines and newspapers, having appeared many times on and in each. This week, we appeared in the Country Living Magazine, highlighting some of the beautiful garden features owned by Trevor and Jane Elliman (Unit 12) and Kay Davies (Unit 19).
The garden section is huge and and carries a wide variety of beautifuL items, including statues, bird baths, garden wall art, watering cans, gates and much, much more, Stock is changing all the time so, when we reopen, come along and take a look for yourself. I promise, you will not be disappointed.
The Country Living feature was written by Serena Lake and photographs taken by Susie Bell.
During the last lockdown we got together and discussed what we could do over the Christmas period to benefit the local community. All sorts of ideas were thrown around, from a raffle to a soup kitchen. Finally, a decision was made that we would put together Christmas hampers and donate them to a local retirement home.
Crown Mews is located in Hungerford directly behind Hungerford Arcade, where Alexanders Tea Room is based. Not wanting to inflict our idea without permission, we got in touch with Yvonne Gillies (the manager for Crown Mews) for her consent to go ahead. She thought it was fantastic and was taken by surprise by the generosity.
Ann Parker from Unit 42P took the above picture of James and Sally and said:
“James and Sally delivering hampers to Crown Mews residents. He and Chez (Cheryl) have enlisted the support of all the local businesses which are used by Alexander’s Tea Room and what a fantastic result. Well done all involved”.
Hungerford is very much a community town and even though Alexanders has only been open for just over six months, we were blown away by the generous response from other local businesses eager to donate to our idea. Also, by the generosity of suppliers & businesses further afield.
All together 9 businesses donated including:
Christian Alba Butchers Hungerford Bookshop Martin & The Magpie Inklings Beechwood Eggs. The Runner Bean Coffee Co, Thatcham. Teapigs Marshalls Bakery, Pewsey The Elephant at The Market, Newbury
I would like to wholeheartedly thank each of those businesses for their contribution and support.
The hamper drop was made on Christmas Eve and all were greatly received by the residents of Crown Mews, Hungerford.
It has been a difficult year for all concerned and the team believed that giving something back to those who have had to shelter during these difficult months was the very least we could do.
Keep Safe & Keep Well
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
James, Cheryl, Sally & Izze
All of us here at Hungerford Arcade send our deepest appreciation to Alexander’s Tea Room, James, Cheryl, Sally and Izze. We are very proud of you all.
Ann Parker from Unit 42P summed up the feeling in the town nicely when she said:
“Although this was a lot of hard work for James and Chez. This is the true Christian side of Christmas and won’t be forgotten.
James and Chez have great relationships within the town and the support they received from so many local businesses just emphasises that they are very important to the Hungerford Community and it’s true spirit of Christmas”.
Hungerford Arcade is one of the non-essential shops in the south-east that have had to close from mid night tonight (19th December) due the the Government’s new guidelines on the coronavirus. The whole of Berkshire along with other high risk areas have had to do the same. We do not know how long the closure will last at the moment, but will keep you posted.
Everyone here at Hungerford Arcade would like to take this opportunity to wish each and every one of you a very Happy Christmas!
Although the whole of Berkshire is now in Tier 3, Hungerford Arcade and all other shops in the town can remain open for your Christmas shopping. Unfortunately, our coffee shop, Alexanders Tea Room will be closed. Don’t forget the late night shopping evenings tonight (Thursday) and tomorrow night. We and other shops in the town will be open til 7.00 pm. We look forward very much to seeing you.
Hungerford Arcade is very proud to enter the Hungerford Christmas Shop Window Competition. Stallholder, Ann Parker with her daughter, Hannah (unit 42P) have worked very hard to give you a beautifully dressed Christmas window. Please come along and take a look at the Spirit of Christmas at the Arcade and around the town with the Christmas trees and lights beaming out to give us all a lift in these strange times we now all find ourselves.
If you would like to vote for Ann and Hannah’s Christmas window, come inside and ask the staff behind the desk for a voting slip, fill it out and hand it back. We will be thrilled.
VINTAGE MILITARY VEHICLE DISPLAY OUTSIDE HUNGERFORD ANTIQUES ARCADE
THIS IMPORTANT EVENT IS TAKING PLACE AGAIN THIS YEAR, RAISING MONEY FOR THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION.
This year more than ever, it is important for these events take place as there are fewer Poppy sellers throughout the country and therefore, funds for the Royal British Legion will be much dimished. Do please come along and support these wonderful men and women who bring along their fantastic vintage war time vehicles at their own expense solely to raise money for the RBL. You will also meet a Platoon of Dad’s Army and enactors from the Dorsetshire Regiment. It will be a fantastic family outing and we will all be making sure that it is safe for everyone.
Please do come along and give your support to this great event. One of the Arcade’s windows is given over every year to commemorate the Armed Forces. Thank you to Arcade co-owner Adrian Gilmour, stallholders, Gary and June Crook and Di Lock from the Royal British Legion with the help of her husband, Derek for everything you do to make this event successful.
Hungerford Arcade always loves to be part of the celebrations for signifcant birthdays. We were delighted to welcome birthday girl, Joanna Lewis, who had a big birthday ending in 0 (I’ve leave you to speculate on the number!) and popped in with Tiffany Lockett and Tory Mills.
After browsing, Joanna selected this stunning Blue Topaz and Diamond pendant and chain from unit 43.
We wish her a very Happy Birthday and look forward to seeing her again soon.
Hungerford Arcade is no stranger to television, radio, magazines and newspapers, having appeared many times on and in each. This week, we appeared in the Country Living Magazine, highlighting some of the beautiful garden features owned by Trevor and Jane Elliman (Unit 12) and Kay Davies (Unit 19).
