HUNGERFORD ARCADE – VIKING’S HOARD

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Hungerford Arcade is thrilled that our International visitors are starting to come back as the world reopens but, sadly, not all of them are travelling yet.  One such is Erik Thorbjornsen, a friend and regular visitor from Norway who, because of quarantine restrictions and family commitments, is unable to visit. 

 

Erik with Adrian Gilmour, the owner, during his last visit in 2019

 

During lockdown last year, I spent time on video calls with him, enabling him to purchase stock remotely.  If you’ve seen me using my phone to video units and muttering to myself, I’m pleased to report that I’m not losing my marbles (although there are those who would disagree!) but have again been helping Erik to restock this year.  He has bought a wide selection of pieces from over 20 units so the dealers are very happy.

 

His shippers have collected his purchases this morning and we look forward to seeing him in person as soon as he is able. 

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HUNGERFORD ARCADE – The Pig

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We were thrilled to see the return of Judy Hutson and Amber Sutton at The Hungerford Arcade. Judy is not only an interior designer but also the founder of the chain of 8 hotels in the South of England called “The Pig Hotels”.  

 

 

 

Judy has been coming to our wonderful Arcade for around 10 years, in that time purchasing a wide range of vintage and antique items such as glass ware, cutlery, china, mirrors and pictures that have been used to furnish her hotels. Judy is very keen on recycle, reuse and repurpose so The Hungerford Arcade is a great place to shop. 

 

 

 

 

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HUNGERFORD ARCADE – GOLDEN COUPLE

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Hungerford Arcade is a large happy family of staff and dealers and we like to consider our customers as part of our extended family. We are always thrilled to be included in the major events of their lives.

 

Lyn and Allan Cooper of Chippenham have their Golden Wedding Anniversary on 26th February 2022 and came in to purchase a ring to commemorate the occasion. 

 

They selected this fabulous diamond cluster ring which looks stunning on Lyn’s finger.

 

They are currently on a cruise to the Canaries and will be on Fuenteventura soaking up the sun on the big day.

 

 

We wish them a very Happy Anniversary and many more and look forward to seeing the holiday photos on their return!

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HUNGERFORD ARCADE – THE BLUE ROOM

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This month our very own Brenda (Unit 4) has been expanding. Brenda has taken on another large unit which she has completely revamped and it looks stunning! A lot of hard work went in to cleaning and painting the entire room and a fabulous new royal blue carpet certainly pops when you enter! 

 

 

 

 

There are some stunning and grand pieces of art to admire or purchase hanging on the walls. Do come and take a look when you next visit! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brenda has a fabulous collection of fine Royal Crown Derby for sale. High-quality bone china, ranging from various tableware and dining sets to cake stands and  unusual ornamental items.

 

 

 

Brenda also has a beautiful selection of Waterford Crystal available. From small ornaments and picture frames up to very large and heavy vases!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is a fantastic selection of weird and wonderful Lalique. Unusual and beautiful ornamental pieces as well as a large selection of pendants and jewellery.

 

 

 

 

Another great example is this wonderful bronze of “The Three Graces. The Three Graces is a Neoclassical sculpture, in marble, of the mythological three charites, daughters of Zeus – identified on some engravings of the statue as, from left to right, Euphrosyne, Aglaea and Thalia – who were said to represent youth/beauty, mirth, and elegance!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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HUNGERFORD ARCADE – BRITISH LEAD FIGURES

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I recently had the pleasure of talking with the lovely Alix Booth who is a regular customer here at The Hungerford Arcade. She was purchasing the road menders toy set that you can see in the photograph below.

 

 

Alix has been collecting these British lead figures since she was 3 years old, truly a life long passion. We were thrilled when she sent these photos showing us 2 of her life like sets. 

 

 

This set was supplied by Adrian and Jane Little (unit 119). They are also known as “Mercator Trading”. They are one of the world’s top dealers in vintage toy figures, specialising in figures made pre WW2 and non-UK made figures; mainly lead figures but also composition, flats, plastic, paper. You name it, if it was made as a toy figure, they deal in it.

 

They have over 25 years of experience dealing in toys and figurines, attending toy fairs around the UK and Europe. They can also be found on eBay using there “Mercator Trading” name.

 

 

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HUNGERFORD ARCADE – “GOD SAVE OUR QUEEN”

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Hungerford Arcade owners, managers, staff and stallholders send our congratulations to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 70 glorious years of unwavering service to the Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland and the Commonwealth.  We must also remember that His Royal Highness Prince Philip The Duke of Edinburgh devoted his life to our Queen, country and the Commonwealth.  Together, they made our country Great all around the world and there are not enough words or deeds to show our deep love and appreciation to them both.

 

LONG LIVE OUR GRACIOUS QUEEN

 

Hungerford Arcade Blog Queen Elizabeth II Coronation

Cecil Beaton, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

and

His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

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HUNGERFORD ARCADE – ANTIQUE & VINTAGE MARKETS 2022

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Great News! The 2022 dates are now set for the Hungerford Antique & Vintage Markets. The market is held every month at the Hungerford Town Hall right next to us.

 

Entry is free and you’ll see lots of our dealers taking part with stalls filled to the brim selling all sorts of trinkets and rare treasures. A must to put in your diary!

 

Don’t forget to pay us a visit after of course. You can rest up in the Cosy Coffee Shop with a refreshing drink or a bite to eat and recharge yourself before doing some more shopping around our beautiful Arcade!

 

 

 

Make it a great day out enjoying all that Hungerford has to offer. Not to mention finding that item you’ve always been after or simply grabbing yourself a bargain! Either way we certainly look forward to seeing you soon!

 

 

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HUNGERFORD ARCADE – “COCO & LUNA”

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We love our four legged visitors here at Hungerford Arcade.  We have a lovely surprise visit from Adam and Tom with their two beautiful puppies, Coco and Luna who were too cute for words.  Everyone fell in love with them and when Tom told us they were looking for  a forever home for Luna, the oohs! and the aahs’ just kept coming.

 

One lady in particular fell in love with Luna and was rushing home to discuss having Luna with her husband.  Sure enough, a few days later, we received an email from Tom saying Luna was now safely in her forever home.

                                                                                                                                                               L-R Adam & Coco – Tom & Luna

 

                                        Beautiful Luna – Now in her Forever Home

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HUNGERFORD ARCADE – CALIFORNIA GIRLS!

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We were delighted to receive our first international visitor of the year on New Year’s Day.  It is a very welcome sign that the world is opening up again.

 

Joanne Harnett (on the right) was equally delighted to be here as she hadn’t been able to visit her niece, Mary Kate, who lives in Hampshire, for 27 months owing to the travel restrictions.  They spent a happy couple of hours in the Arcade where Joanne found some items of vintage Coalport china which matched a set she has back home.

 

Joanne has been visiting from California, where she lives in Alameda, on an island in San Francisco Bay. She spent Christmas here, returning home in the first week of January, where we hope she is now basking in sunshine and warmer temperatures!

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