Hungerford Arcade stallholders Gary and June Crook have a keen interest in military history and always pay tribute to our Armed Forces on significant milestones.  Last Sunday, on a beautiful sunny day,  together with their friends Percy Witt and John  Haines, they organised this marvellous display to commemorate the fortieth anniversary of the end of the Falklands War, the anniversary of which was on Tuesday 14th June.

L/R  Percy Witt, John Haines, Gary Crook, June Crook

It is hard to believe that it is forty years since the invasion of the Falkland Islands in 1982.  I remember it as if it were yesterday; watching Ian McDonald, the Ministry of Defence spokesman, every evening on the television to hear of the latest developments, anxiously wondering how friends were faring.

When the news came that Major General Jeremy Moore had sent the message “Best pleased to inform Her Majesty the Union Flag once again flies over Government House, Stanley”, the relief was immense.

Gary has an extensive collection of Action Men and choose one from each of the Services, together with a Harrier Jump Jet, in tribute to everyone who took part in the conflict.  The Para with the Union Jack yomping across East Falkland from San Carlos Water towards Stanley is one of the iconic images from the time.  

We remember with gratitude all those who served in the conflict and especially those who gave their lives.  They will never be forgotten.

I could say that here at Hungerford Arcade we love clutter! So nothing makes me happier

 when i read about one of the latest hashtags rising in popularity on social media. With posts now over 20K #cluttercore is embracing organised clutter, no more minimalism hiding everything away in cupboards.

There is now no shame (not that I ever had any) in displaying our cherished nic-knacks, keep sakes or just objects that make us happy in our homes.

I have always been a collector, not of any one thing, just anything that catches my eye, for me to collect, is to enjoy a slice of history, from the Victorians, Art Deco to Mid Century, part of the joy of collecting/curating is to then display your precious objects for everyone to enjoy them. Except maybe partners who quote ‘One in One out!

What i love about the #cluttercore hashtag is how it has become so easy to find like minded people who share your same enthusiasm/joy for collecting. Having a unit at Hungerford Arcade pretty much validates my shopping ‘for stock’, so I can #cluttercore my unit to my hearts delight, but I also have the added bonus of stalking the rest of the arcade to shop for my own personal collection.

So embrace clutter, come down and visit here at Hungerford Arcade to shop, we all can re-use, recycle, re-purpose and re-clutter.

Hello and welcome to our new acquisition Wallingford Antiques Arcade (aka The Lamb).  Owner, Adrian Gilmour purchased the business at the end of April and since then, it has been all systems go!!!  We are in the process of building a new website and will let you know when it is up and running.

There have already been big transformations downstairs and in the Courtyard.  Customers, stallholders and staff are thrilled to bits as it all begins to take shape.  Here is a little taster of what has been happening.

New owner, Adrian Gilmour, who is also a cabinet maker turned this

beautiful Victorian bar into a fantastic new desk/counter

Wait until you see the rest of it around the corner!

Ian Spuffard’s new Junk Shop Unit in the Courtyard at Wallingford Arcade

Phil’s exquisite Tea Room now has a beautiful outside seating area in the

Courtyard where you can relax in lovely surroundings

Where the van is parked will be Brenda’s beautiful Countryside shop with garden furniture

and beautiful things for your home and garden

When you feel like a drive out, come and visit our beautiful new centre.  At the moment we are not open on Sundays due to the upgrade. Other than that, we are open every day from 10.00 to 5.00 pm

Hungerford Arcade is very proud to announce the return of Hocktide and Tutti Days on Monday, 25th and Tuesday, 26th April 2022 thanks to The Town and Manor of Hungerford and Liberty of Sanden Fee.

Hocktide is a two-week long festival following Easter. The most well-known day is Tutti-Day (also known as Hock Tuesday or Hockney Day), and the chief event of Tutti-Day is the holding of the Hocktide Court. There are a number of other functions and events that take place through the fortnight, including Ale-Tasting and the Commoners’ Luncheon.

The tradition of Hocktide dates back to the 14^th century, when John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, who owned much of the land around Hungerford, gave certain fishing rights to the townsfolk, which continue to this day. This was in addition to privileges already bestowed on the town by his father, Edward III, and grandfather Edward I, who gave the rights to hold charter markets and fairs. The festival today is the commemoration and continuation of this by the townsfolk – around 100 properties still have commoners rights and their owners are the Commoners of the court.

On Hocktide Day the festivities begin with the appearance of the Bellman on the Town Hall balcony at 8am, summoning the Commoners to Court, then perambulating the town. The special court is held upstairs at the Town Hall in the morning chaired by the Constable, whilst two nattily dressed Tuttimen (who carry flower-decorated poles with an orange on top) call at the commoners’ houses around the town accompanied by the Orangeman and Tutti Wenches,  giving out oranges and asking for donations or kisses en route throughout the day.

Tuttimen & Maids having a great time at Hungerford Arcade

Tuttimen are so-called regardless of gender!  The tasty Commoners Lunch takes place during the afternoon at the Corn Exchange on the ground floor of the Town Hall: expect speeches, toasts and the tasty but lethal Plantagenet Punch. The meal is followed by Shoeing the Colts, during which first-time visitors have a horseshoe nailed to their heel by the blacksmith until they call “Punch”. The residents particularly enjoy watching Colts being wrestled to the ground for their shoeing, but they’re gentler with ladies who get to sit on a chair.

After the fun and frolics, anchovies on toast are served at the Three Swans across the road from 5pm then further serious drinking takes place with  the return of the Tuttimen from their rounds around 9pm. The local band also play free of charge during the evening at the Corn Exchange.

The associated Constables Sunday parade takes place on the Sunday following Tutti Day, at 10.45 am, from the Town Hall to St Lawrence’s Church for a special service.

Anyone can turn up on the day to watch the Bellman and the Tutti Procession around town and attend the Court as a Visitor (all free of charge) but you need tickets for the Lunch as places are limited.

Ann Parker (Unit 42p) decorates a window at the Arcade.  At the moment, she has a beautiful Easter window, but soon it will be a Tutti Day display which you really must see.  We always get a visit from the Tuttimen.  There is  lot of excitement in the Arcade when they arrive, with everyone gathering around hoping to get a photograph of them.  We always give them a drink and the Tuttimen give the lady a kiss and an orange.  Fabulous tradition.

Find out a lot more about Hocktide & Tutti Day by clicking here

Hungerford Arcade is only closed on 3 days a year!  This is just a reminder that we will be closed on Easter Sunday.

We look forward to welcoming you all again on Easter Monday, when we will be open as usual between 9.15 and 5.30.

Ann Parker has produced this wonderful window display for Easter for us.  Do come and see it as it’s only here for a short time before she updates it for Hocktide.

We wish everyone, stallholders, customers and friends, a very Happy Easter!