Hungerford Arcade is a great place for buying china particularly dinner and tea sets so many ladies come to buy for weddings, tea parties or just for home.  Also wedding organisers come to the Arcade buying tea sets, coffee sets, candlesticks and vases.  Other popular table items are odd cups and saucers to hold candles and seating names, teapots for flowers and lots of other great ideas they have.

One such lady was Alison Farrier who bought this wonderful china for her future daughter-in-law’s Vintage G & T Hen Party.  (I love the sound of that!).

 Alison did a superb job of laying the table and the flowers are superb. Well  done Alison!

I asked Alison to send me some photographs for my blog and true to her word, sent this lovely email together with photographs.  Thank you Alison.

“Hi Rita,

I promised to send you some pictures of the afternoon vintage g&t hen do I bought all that fab crockery for so here we are loving it.

Lucy the lady in the sun glasses gets married next week at Syrencot House to my son Guy”.

Thanks for the amazing crockery all stored away for the next time !!

Alison”

All the ladies looking very beautiful with Alison on the right and Lucy, wearing sunglasses, on the left. Cheers everyone and good health!

Many congratulation to Guy and Lucy on your Wedding Day from everyone at Hungerford Arcade.

Emmeline Pankhurst (1913) Library of Congress [Public domain]

Hungerford Arcade is full to bursting with antiques and collectables.  The one thing that is rarely seen anywhere in the antiques world is Suffragette memorabilia.  I think this is mostly because a lot of it is held in museums, handed down the generations in families involved in the movement and people just do not want to part with it.

Well, having said that, stallholder, Ian Spuffard has just acquired a beautiful Suffragette ring.  In 1908, the co-editor of the WSPU’s newspaper, Votes for Women, Emmeline Pethick-Lawrence, designed the suffragettes’ colour scheme of purple for loyalty and dignity, white for purity, and green for hope.

Here, you can see those very colours in this stunning ring.

At a political meeting in Manchester in 1905, Christabel Pankhurst and mill worker, Annie Kenney, disrupted speeches by prominent Liberals Winston Churchill and Sir Edward Grey, asking where Churchill and Grey stood with regards to women’s political rights. At a time when political meetings were only attended by men and speakers were expected to be given the courtesy of expounding their views without interruption, the audience were outraged, and when the women unfurled a “Votes for Women” banner they were both arrested for a technical assault on a policeman. When Pankhurst and Kenny appeared in court they both refused to pay the fine imposed, preferring to go to prison in order to gain publicity for their cause.

By Women’s Social and Political Union…NOR. – Museum of London, Public Domain Link

The suffragettes also used other methods to publicise and raise money for the cause and from 1909, the “Pank-A-Squith” board game was sold by the WSPU. The name was derived from Pankhurst and the surname of Prime Minister H. H. Asquith, who was largely hated by the movement. The board game was set out in a spiral, and players were required to lead their suffragette figure from their home to parliament, past the obstacles faced from Prime Minister H. H. Asquith and the Liberal government.   Also in 1909, suffragettes Daisy Solomon and Elspeth McClelland tried an innovative method of potentially obtaining a meeting with Asquith by sending themselves by Royal Mail courier post; however, Downing Street did not accept the parcel.

At the commencement of the World War I, the suffragette movement in Britain moved away from suffrage activities and focused on the war effort, and as a result, hunger strikes largely stopped. In August 1914, the British Government released all prisoners who had been incarcerated for suffrage activities on an amnesty, with Pankhurst ending all militant suffrage activities soon after. The suffragettes’ focus on war work turned public opinion in favour of their eventual partial enfranchisement in 1918.

Women eagerly volunteered to take on many traditional male roles – leading to a new view of what women were capable of. The war also caused a split in the British suffragette movement; the mainstream, represented by Emmeline and Christabel Pankhurst’s WSPU calling a ceasefire in their campaign for the duration of the war, while more radical suffragettes, represented by Sylvia Pankhurst’s Women’s Suffrage Federation continued the struggle.

The suffragette campaign was suspended when World War I broke out in 1914. After the war, the Representation of the People Act 1918 gave the vote to women over the age of 30 who met certain property qualifications. Ten years later, women gained electoral equality with men when the Representation of the People (Equal Franchise) Act 1928 gave all women the vote at age 21.

           Queen Mary 2 by Shinya Suzuki

Hungerford Arcade friend, George who you may remember from our Classic Vehicle Shows (he has the Rolls Royce Silver Shadow III).  Today however, George has got his sea legs on and is sailing away on a luxurious cruise on none other than the Queen Mary 2.  Wow!!!  Look below at the wonderful photographs George kindly sent to us.

                               Queen Mary 2 – Dining Room

The Queen Mary 2 was designed by a team of British naval architects led by Stephen Payne.  The new ship was named Queen Mary 2 by Queen Elizabeth II in 2004 after the first RMS Queen Mary of 1936. Queen Mary was in turn named after Mary of Teck, consort of King George V. With the retirement of Queen Elizabeth 2 in 2008, Queen Mary 2 is the only transatlantic ocean liner in line service between Southampton, England and New York City, United States, operating for a part of each year. The ship is also used for cruising, including an annual world cruise.

                                 Queen Mary 2 – Ship’s Bell

             Queen Mary 2 – Showgirl (George’s favourite photo)

                                                      Queen Mary 2 – in Port

You can find out more about the stunning Queen Mary 2 by just clicking on this Wikipedia link.

Hungerford Arcade is always delighted to be involved with the annual Great Antiques Pursuit in aid of the Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice.  This year the two pairs of winners, who bid for a place in a local competition, were accompanied by Thomas Forrester and Jonty Hearnden. 

They were treated to morning coffee before arriving at the Arcade where they each had £150 to spend and an hour to find their purchases in a ‘Bargain Hunt’ style competition. 

Thomas and Jonty were on hand throughout with suggestions and advice and Chula Bishop from unit 22 kindly ensured that cabinets were unlocked and deals were struck.

Following this, they had lunch at the Three Swans in Hungerford, where there was a ‘show and tell’ session about the items they had bought. 

Among the items purchased were a ruby ring, a vintage Sheaffer fountain pen, a retro bread bin, cocktail glasses and a cocktail shaker, a vintage wooden chest and a World Cup Willie money box.

The winners drove hard bargains with the dealers as the items purchased will be auctioned by Thomas Forrester on 3rd December, with all proceeds going to the Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice.  This charity was established in 2007 with the aim of providing a dedicated children’s hospice service for all children with life limiting and life threatening illnesses in Berkshire. For further information, or to get involved, please click here.

Everyone had a great time and we were very pleased to support this worthy cause.

Hungerford Arcade has its own Coffee Shop, Rafters Cafe which is family owned and, as the name suggests, is actually situated in the rafters of the Arcade.  Judi together with her son, Tim and daughter, Kelly produce wonderful home made food, all ingredients (where possible), are locally sourced.  If you haven’t been before, you are in for a treat.

Yesterday, when Adrian was relocating the Knight to the square (click here to see blog), Judi and Tim suddenly appeared at the beams, making Adrian laugh as he was single-handedly positioning the Knight.  It’s nice to have a little giggle as I am sure you will agree.

Hungerford Arcade’s spectacular Knight was moved to a higher plane today.  Arcade co-owner, Adrian Gilmour decided it was time to elevate the Knight to the top of the Square where there is an amazing display of soldiers, large WWII aeroplanes, ships, flags, pictures and more.  Adrian placed the ladder and clambered up like an athlete!  I must say,  it was petty scary seeing him at such a great height and standing on top of cabinets.  Not only that, he had to rebuild the Knight on site!  Very brave, but it was all worth it.

Pete Marsh (Unit 11) owns the Knight and on Saturday, gave him a really good polish ready for his elevation!

We are very proud of the square and it is an amazing sight.  The next time you are in the Arcade or in Rafters Cafe (where you get an amazing view of the square),  just look up and see for yourself why it enthralls everyone who sees it.  Below is just a small section of what you will see.

                                             A small section of what you will see when you visit The Square

Our Great friends, Mike & Colleen of the West Berkshire Classic Vehicle Club

Hungerford Arcade would just like to say a huge thank you to Colleen and Mike Kent and all the members of the West Berkshire Classic Vehicle Club for braving the horrendous weather we had yesterday to bring their beautiful cars here for the show.  For those of you who do not know, we hold this show twice a year and this is the 8th year that it has been going.  In all that time, this is the first time that the weather put a dampner on the proceedings.  Having said that, everyone had good fun and did not mind having to dry their cars off when they got home.

The next Classic Car Show will be in April 2020.  I will let you know the precise date nearer the time.

Thank you all for coming and showing your support for these lovely people and their fabulous vehicles.  More pictures to see at the bottom of the page!

More great news from the West Berkshire Classic Vehicle Club who sponsor the blood cancer charity, Bloodwise (click on the link below)

BLOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

27th Classic Vehicle Show Newbury Racecourse

11th August 2019

“We now have the actual finalised figure for the donation that West Berks Classic Vehicle Club will be donating to Bloodwise this year.  It is £18,169.45

West Berks Classic Vehicle Club

www.classicvehicles.org.uk

Hungerford Antiques Arcade

Classic Vehicle Display

Sunday 22^nd September 2019

 AT

Hungerford Antiques Arcade

We would like to invite you to the WBCVC’s autumn visit to the Hungerford Antiques Arcade, as seen on Bargain Hunt and many other TV programmes.  The visit will take place, on Sunday, 22^nd September.  We are now in our 8^th year of this twice yearly event (May & September).

Those of you that have attended this event before will remember the warm welcome the club receives, from Adrian and Rita, the Arcade traders, and general public.

We have been asked if we could get to the Arcade around 10:00am, in order to get us settled before the High Street gets busy. The Arcade opens at 11am on a Sunday. We will park the vehicles in the front of the Hungerford Arcade, as per usual.

Adrian, Rita and all the traders in the Antiques Arcade are really looking forward to meeting the WBCVC again and our classic vehicles’ so please try and attend if you can.

As well as the Antiques Arcade Rafters Cafe there are several places to get lunch in Hungerford, (3 course or snack), or maybe a picnic or stroll by the side of the Kennet & Avon Canal, weather permitting, or a leisurely trip along the canal in the Rose of Hungerford narrow boat.

Rose of Hungerford  –   Boat Trips on Kennet & Avon Canal

 (Adult price)  £9.00        

2.5 hour public trips leave from Hungerford Wharf at 14:30, take you along the canal, through a few bridges and locks and back to the Wharf. On the 2.5 hr trip there is a possible opportunity to disembark at one of the locks to have a short walk, see how the lock works and help the crew if you would like to, or stay on board if you prefer.  Refreshments available from the bar/galley.  For more details and to book visit   www.rose.katrust.org.uk   01380 721279

In the ten or so years that I have lived in Hungerford, I have seen a few changes, the most recent being the opening of a Costa Coffee outlet nearly opposite the Arcade.  I am not a great lover of chains, but I have always found that the Costa outlets in their own way add to the buzz of a town.  Not that Hungerford needs much of a buzz as it is quite a lively town which has a bit of everything.

You might be surprised to find out that Hungerford is situated on three separate waterways.  These being the Rivers Kennet and Dun as well as our beloved Kennet and Avon Canal which has been fully restored and runs for some ninety miles.  I have always liked canals as although man made, they are the most organic of creatures and the K&A is no different.

My wife and I often walk ten to fifteen miles along the canal if anything, for the peace and quiet and also, that the canal is so accessible and friendly.  But if you are not so energetic, there is another way that you can travel along the canal at an even more leisurely pace than walking.  That is by taking a trip on The Rose which is moored next to the canal bridge.

Last Sunday, my granddaughter was visiting and she expressed a wish to travel on The Rose.  So I booked a trip for Caron and Lily and although we had travelled on The Rose before, it was a great experience as every trip is different.

Whilst walking around the town, I am often stopped by visitors who ask me if I know of a good pub or a decent place to eat.  They have visited the Arcade and the other shops and want to know more about our lovely town.

Depending on the question, I usually help as much as I can or direct them to the library.  But I have been asked a couple of times of how to book a trip on The Rose.   As I always book in advance, I normally suggest that they visit Fare Wise Travel which is right next to the railway bridge.

Fair Wise Travel are very efficient and they can tell you which trips are fully booked and which ones have spaces or are lightly booked.

You can also visit the K&A Trust (Hungerford Boat Trips) website which has all the details required.

The costs involved are very reasonable and I paid £18.00 for all three of us.  This was for a ninety-minute return trip towards Kintbury.

It is likely that The Rose offers other alternatives so it is best to either check the website or chat to Fair Wise Travel should you want to know more (Tel: 01488 686858).  

Rafters Cafe` at Hungerford Arcade

After your trip you might want refreshment and there are plenty of places in the town which cater for all tastes.  The Arcade has Rafters Café which is nice to visit and also has the advantage of being situated above the book section.  I say this as your trip on The Rose may have whetted your appetite to learn more about canals in the UK.   Well if it has, there is a fine selection of canal books to be found in the book section just under the stairs.

You will find these with the railway books and magazines and if you look closely into the ephemera boxes you might also come across some canal related items. They come and go, but I have been lucky to pick up some Victorian canal ephemera in recent months.

Happy Hunting

Stuart Miller-Osborne