Our Classic Car Show was once again a great success.  The warm sunshine brought everyone out and the Arcade was buzzing!  The West Berkshire Classic Vehicle Club, as always, did us proud with a spectacular display of classic cars.  You will see what I mean when you view some of the pictures below.  There will be more to follow in the next few days, so keep looking.

The Friends of the

David Hunt – Treasurer of The Atwell Wilson Motor Museum

Atwell Wilson Motor Museum were here selling raffle tickets for their beautiful classic Mini Cooper.  All the proceeds go towards the upkeep of this wonderful museum. You can find out more about them by clicking on this link to their website www.atwellwilson.org.uk/

We would like to say a big thank you to Mike and Colleen Kent and all the Members of the West Berkshire Classic Vehicle Club for all their hard work in organising this very popular event.

Dave Powell with his 1962 Standard Companion

Edwin Bootyman on his 1200cc Honda Goldwing Interstate

Hillman Minx

Ken Pickford with his 1958 Hillman Minx Estate which he is going to completely restore. There are only 3 or 4 of this model left in the country

Bryan Geater’s 1967 MkII 2.8 Jaguar which he has owned for 35 years.

Beautiful Sunbeam Alpine

Roy Parr with his beautiful Triumph Vitesse

Frank Cheever’s beautiful and very rare, 1969 Hillman Husky Estate

Unfortunately, the piece had lost it’s price tag and though we tried, we couldn’t get hold of the stallholder to put a price on it.  So, Halldis had to leave without the one item she really wanted.

 A few days passed and the stallholder was reached and a price ticket was placed on the item and the item was returned to it’s unit.  That day, just minutes after it had been returned to the unit, a customer had a minor trip and knocked the cup off the shelf and it smashed on the floor.  Well, accidents do happen, so the poor old cup ended up in the bin and I thought nothing more of it.

Until, that is, the very next day when Halldis came back in for another browse.  She asked me if I had found out the price of the cup because she would really love to buy it.  I informed her of the series of events which led to it ending up in the bin.    She was so disappointed that she could have bought it and saved it from it’s untimely demise if only she had come in the day before.

She was so upset that she asked me if I would show her the broken pieces – and it just so happened I hadn’t emptied the bin yet and the pieces were all there.  She said she would like to take them home to Norway and stick them back together to add to her collection of blue and white.  I was more than happy to let her have them for nothing, in exchange for such a good story!

She absolutely loved the Arcade and although she would have been happier to take the cup away in one piece, she was delighted to have it even though it had been smashed.

A lovely lady called into the Arcade, Waterways Chaplain, Sue Stapleton.  It was always Sue’s dream to live on a boat and when she and her husband Bob sold their home in November 2013, they couldn’t find a suitable house and out of the blue, the opportunity to buy a boat came along –  Sue’s dream came true.  Sue and Bob have 4 children, one of whom is still at university and two grandchildren. 

Sue and husband, Bob love every minute of their life on a boat and have never looked back. Life on the canal is amazing and the wide range of people who chose this life is wonderful.   Sue is part of a Chaplain work group called Work Place Matters who deal solely with people living on the waterways.  Sue covers the canal between Devizes and Newbury and is always on hand, together with her husband Bob, to help people in any way they can.  

 I, like many people, think of life on the canals as a dream.  Obviously it is for most, but for others, it can be quite hard.  As you do not have a registered address living on a boat, life can be difficult for some people, especially those who suffer anxiety and depression.  For example, for those who need to sign on and receive job seekers and anyone who has to fill out forms, register with a doctor, dentist or dependent on a food bank, you can feel quite insecure and lonely.  This is where Sue and her husband, Bob make all the difference by talking, filling in forms and much, much more and do turn hopelessness into positive thinking as many people already know.   

Sue was in the Arcade this morning  purchasing items that she will keep on her boat for anyone who needs something at any time.  From china to all bits and pieces.  Things we all take for granted does not, for various reasons, come naturally to some of those living on a boat.  These are the people whom Sue and Bob help.  Sue is a bright, bubbly lady and I am sure that she brings happiness to all people whether they need help or not.

 You can find out more about the Waterways Chaplains by clicking onto this link www.workplacematters.org.uk/articles/canal-plus-chaplaincy-to-hidden-community

Annie (Ann Hutchings) partner of Ann Parker

The Two Ann’s Unit 42P    

Hungerford Arcade

We had an exciting telephone call today from Amee Egerton, telling us about this wonderful new antiques quiz show “For What It’s Worth”, which will be coming to BBC1. Amee said she contacted us because we are a highly respected antiques centre, and could we possibly help spread the word that they are on the hunt for pairs of contestants to appear on the series – one half of the pairing should be quiz minded and have a good level of general knowledge, and the other half should have a passion and enthusiasm for antiques. There is a cash prize at stake.  

Please read the poster below and get in touch straight away.  Team up with a family member, friend or work colleague and have a great time taking part on a TV show where you can win a cash prize.  You can even contact Amee direct at amee.egerton@TuesdaysChild.tv  She would love to hear from you.

OR

Apply on their website by clicking on this link www.tuesdayschild.tv/fwiw/ 

Or call on tel: 0203 761 4546

Arcade co-owner, Adrian Gilmour with Julia (in the pink) and Janet

Rita with Julia and Janet

The rain was coming down in torrents when two lovely ladies called into Hungerford Arcade.  Janet Black and her step-daughter, Julia Black. Janet told us they are on a special walk along the Kennet and Avon Canal in memory of her late husband Cyril who unfortunately, lost his fight against prostate cancer two years ago this month.

Please read this story from Team Cyril.  You can get more information on their web-page by clicking on the link below.

Janet and Julia are raising money in memory of Cyril, our much loved husband, dad, grandad and uncle, by stepping out along 75 miles of the Kennet and Avon canal. We will be joined now and again by family and friends – ‘Team Cyril’. Cyril was one of the most contented men we knew and the K & A was one of his favourite holiday destinations. He always intended to walk its length from Reading to Bath, but was overtaken by prostate cancer before he was able to do so. This, then, will be a fitting tribute.

We will be finishing the walk in Bath on 20 September, which would have been his birthday. The walk also coincides with the 2nd anniversary of the loss of our lovely, kind ‘Squirrel’.

Please donate to give us encouragement (who thought 75 miles was a good idea?) and to help beat this wretched disease.

Many thanks,

Team Cyril

www.justgiving.com/julia-black3 

Hungerford Arcade owners, Hazel Browne and Adrian Gilmour, together with the managers, staff and stallholders, congratulate Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II for not only being the longest reigning monarch, but for all the hard work she has carried out for her country and its people at home and around the world for 63 glorious years.  Thank you Ma’am. 

If you were planning a production of one of the most famous Victorian stories ever written, you would struggle to find a better place for collecting props than Hungerford Arcade.  The Watermill Theatre in Newbury is currently running a production of Oliver! and they have had a lot of fun finding the perfect props for the occasion.  There are thousands of items here in the Arcade just right for giving the set just the right character and atmosphere for the streets of Victorian London.

The picture shows one of the stage managers from the theatre sporting a milkmaid’s yoke, and Arcade Manager Alex pleading for more in a large metal bowl – probably not the bowl which Oliver will use in the musical!

The show is running right now in the Watermill featuring a company of the theatre’s trademark actor-musicians, with a supporting cast of Watermill Youth Theatre actors, and the classic witty and memorable songs, including You’ve Got to Pick A Pocket Or Two, Consider Yourself and I’d Do Anything, Oliver! will tug at your heart strings, make you smile and most definitely make you want to sing along!

Hungerford Arcade

Classic Car Show

Sunday, 27^th September

9.00 a.m to 3.00 pm

This event is totally free so come along and bring your family and friends for a great day out