Hungerford Arcade

Happy St. George’s Day

Hungerford Arcade along with everyone in Hungerford is celebrating England’s St. George’s Day.   Co-owners, Hazel Browne and Adrian Gilmour, Managers, Staff and Stallholders wish you all a very happy St. Georges Day.

The Easter holidays is fun for all the family – until you run out of fun things to do. Fortunately for friends Fred and Sebastian, their Mums always have something up their sleeve and this day was no different.

Fred and his Mum Gayle are regular visitors to the Arcade and both love wondering around hunting for interesting things.  So one morning, Gayle decided to draw up a little treasure hunt for the boys to keep them occupied for a few hours.  And it did keep them occupied – they loved it!

  Fred and Sebastian with their favourite item from the list – the soldier!

Fred and Sebastian spent their afternoon searching the building for 16 items and were told to mark their location in the boxes.  With a bit of lateral thinking and a lot of fun rummaging, they managed to tick off everything on the list.  My favourite “find” was the silver camera – a CCTV camera!  

Gayle deserves a pat on the back as well, as she wrote the treasure hunt without even being in the building!  She just chose the items from the top of her head and hoped there might be things that matched here in the Arcade! Well done Gayle!

I would like to thank the children for being so well behaved and obviously their Mums for letting us have a picture.  And also I would like to apologise to Fred for taking so long to put him on our website! He has been nagging me to do it every time I see him! 

Happy Birthday Your Majesty

Hungerford Arcade co-owners, Hazel Browne and Adrian Gilmour, together with Managers, Staff and Stallholders send our very best wishes and congratulations to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on her 90th Birthday.

 

               Channel 4 News Presenter Jon Snow with Rita

Hungerford Arcade has a celebrity who has been visiting here for many, many years and I always thought to myself that I would love the opportunity to shake his hand and have a little chat with him instead of the usual, “Hello Jon, how are you?”.

Well my chance came when Channel 4 News presenter, Jon Snow came to the counter.  I greeted him and explained that I watch Channel 4 News every evening and have always wanted to have my photograph taken with him for our ‘Hall of Fame’ which is on the stair-well to our office.

Jon was brilliant and said he would be delighted.  I rushed upstairs and fetched the camera and here is the photograph that I am very proud of.  Jon has a great sense of humour and he certainly made my day.

Jon has a very long and distinguished career.  He is a British journalist and television presenter, currently employed by ITN.  He is the longest running presenter of Channel 4 News, which he has presented since 1989. (I didn’t realise that he has headed Channel 4 News for 27 years and I watch it every evening – is that sad?)  He has reported news from across the world and even found time to write his brilliant autobiography called “Jon Snow Shooting History”, published in 2004.  This is a must read book.

 Thank you Jon for making my day.  Rita

Hungerford Arcade has a long history of helping children with all sorts of things.  Today however, was a little special in that Mary Oliver, a year one student at Hungerford
Primary School came to the Arcade with her mum, Emily and brother, Isaiah and told us that she was looking for a pirate ship and asked if we had any!  Mary explained that her school topic this term is the sea and that the children have been given the task of doing something arty with a pirate theme.

Hungerford Arcade co-owner, Adrian Gilmour presenting the galleon to Mary with the help of brother, Isaiah

Mary could not believe her eyes when she was taken to the big square in the centre of the Arcade and was told to look up.  High up by the timber beams was a beautiful galleon owned by stallholder, Ann Parker.  Mary was so excited and asked how much it would be to buy.  We called Ann and explained Mary’s task to her. She was so impressed with Mary’s enthusiasm and excitement that she told Mary that she can have the galleon as a gift.  Here you can see Hungerford Arcade co-owner Adrian gilmour presenting it to Mary.  

Mum, Emily, Adrian, Mary and Isaiah

Mary was stunned for a few seconds and then said, “Mummy, we have to take the ship home now and make my eye patch!”.

Mary’s mum, Emily is going to send us a photograph of Mary dressed in her pirate costume. I will post it on here for you all to see.

Thank you Ann for your generosity to the pirates.

Hungerford Arcade celebrated Tutti Day with the rest of Hungerford.  The 600 year old custom of the “Tutti-men” is still celebrated in Hungerford every Hocktide and is believed to be the only in existence in England.  The ceremony commemorates The granting of common land & fishing rights to the people of Hungerford by John of Gaunt.

The Bellman (town crier) in traditional  Costume, blows a series of blasts from the historic  Horn.  The High Constable, Bailiff and “Tutti-men” are then elected, after which the “Tutti-men” proceed around the Town dispensing oranges and kisses for the women.

Rita with Mary Berry

Hungerford Arcade gets more than its share of celebrities walking through its doors and today was no different.  Having had a visit from Bear Grylls earlier in the week, in came the lovely Mary Berry with her husband.    Mary has written more than seventy cook books since her first book was published in 1970 and has sold over five million copies. Her best selling ‘Baking Bible’ published in 2009, was rated one of the ten best baking books by The Independent.

Mary has hosted several television series for the BBC and ITV and is an occasional contributor to Woman’s Hour and Saturday Kitchen and has been a judge on the BBC’s ‘Great British Bake Off’ since its launch in 2010.  Mary’s distinguished career was recognised when when she was awarded the CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2012.

I would just like to say a big thank you to you Mary for letting me have my picture taken with you and look forward very much to welcoming you back to the Arcade in the future. Rita

Mary’s autobiography, ‘Recipe for Life’, was published in 2013 by Michael Joseph.

http://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/books/430836/Book-review-Recipe-For-Life-by-Mary-Berry

2016 London Marathon Runner Ian Spuffard

Hungerford Arcade stallholder, Ian Spuffard is taking part in the London Marathon on 24th April, and is busy getting sponsors for the charity he is supporting which is “CLIC Sargent”.  CLIC Sargent is an organisation dedicated to helping children and young people living with cancer, which is very dear to Ian’s heart.  Ian’s sponsorship target is £1800 but he still has some way to go before the Marathon takes place.

Ian with hero, Bear Grylls

Ian was at the desk in the Arcade and could not believe his eyes when his hero, Bear Grylls walked in with his two children.  Ian approached Bear and explained to him why he is doing the London Marathon and asked if he would help him.  Bear was very impressed and was more than happy to have his photograph taken with Ian and help with his final push to reach his charity target.

Ian will be at the Flea Market in Hungerford Town Hall on Sunday, 3rd April, where his proceeds will be going towards that target. 

You will find Ian on the fundraiser website: www.virginmoneygiving.com/ian