Hungerford Arcade is always very interested in the lives of our customers so it was with great pleasure that we got to meet Veres Gergo”  all the way from Hungary.

Gergo” told us that he had spent 12 months in the French Foreign Legion with the 20mm Canon Cavalry Regiment.  They were the first foreign regiment that won REC.

Fa`Nosi Szila’rd (brother of Veres Gergo”), Rita (Arcade Manager), Veres Gergo” (French Foreign Legion), Sandra (Veres’ girlfriend)

1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment

The 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment (French: 1er Régiment Étranger de Cavalerie, 1^er REC) is the only cavalry regiment in the French Foreign Legion.  As of 2009 it was the only armoured cavalry regiment of the 6th Light Armoured Brigade. The regiment recently moved camp after being stationed at Quartier Labouche for 47 years in Orange, Vaucluse, France since it moved from Mers-el-Kébir, Algeria in October 1967.

Regimental Insignia of 1er REC

Veres said that the soldiers in the French Foreign Legion find a friend of each nationality wherever they go in the world so that there is always someone that they can count on. Sounds like good advice to me Veres.

I have lived in Hungerford for just over ten years and thought that I had seen most things at the Arcade. However, when Caron and I popped in today to buy some teapots for tea party, we found an item that even in our wildest dreams we would not have expected to find.  Why were we so surprised you may ask?

Well it was a crate of 1950s Coca Cola bottles that gathered our attention.  But what really surprised me was that a few of the bottles still had their original contents within.

The stallholder on the ticket had wisely noted that the remaining soft drinks should not be consumed.  Saying that, I would imagine that if consumed after fifty or so years the taste would not have differed greatly from the warm flat cans of coke that one can find in the £1 stores today.  This was the ultimate in retro I thought.  Original untouched drinks from the era of Jimmy Dean and Steve McQueen.

Just imagine how impressed your friends would have been when they popped around for a summer gathering.  After admiring your Edward Hopper print on the wall they would be blown away by your vintage wooden coke tray and its aged contents.

I have to admit that I am something of a Coke addict and often retire to coke dens in Hungerford to satisfy my cravings (well if you must know the Hungerford Arms opposite the arcade).   Although it is not that good for you (and can damage your social image if you get my drift), Coca Cola is one of the most refreshing drinks you can find.  I always find that if I am that thirsty after walking miles or travelling on a putrid hot train that to have an ice cold glass of coke is just the best sensation one can experience.  As most of you know, Coca Cola originated in the USA in the late nineteenth century and there lies a rather sad story.

It was invented by a certain John Pemberton (1831-1888) who received a sabre wound to the chest during the Battle of Columbus which was fought on the 16^th of April 1865.

This battle is sometimes thought to be the last battle of the American Civil War as President Johnson declared the civil war over on May the 10^th 1865.  There was a skirmish at The Battle of Palmito Ranch on the 13^th of May 1865 but the Battle of Columbus was really the last major clash of the war.  In a way this was good and bad news for John and was indirectly the reason that the world’s favourite soft drink was invented.

Sadly, John had become addicted to morphine which he used to ease the pain he was suffering.  Knowing the inherent dangers of his morphine addiction (he had trained to be a pharmacist), he began to look for painkillers which would be an opium free alternative. 

After a few false starts, he began experimenting with coca and coca wines and soon created a recipe which contained both kola nuts and damiana.  He called this brew Pemberton’s French Wine Cola.   As you can see this drink was a little alcoholic (no bad thing) but when faced with temperance legislation in 1886, he was forced to create a non-alcoholic alternative.  Again with trial and error (and with the assistance of a certain Willis E Venable), John perfected the recipe of what became Coca Cola.  Mind you John did not invent its now world famous name.  A Frank Mason Robinson (1845-1923) can lay claim to this.  He came up with the name because of its alliterative sound (which was quite popular at the time) and it also referred to its two main ingredients.

Sadly John fell ill soon after Coca Cola hit the streets and nearly became bankrupt.  This sale was partially motivated to fund his continuing morphine addiction.  However, he had a feeling that Coca Cola would soon become the national drink so he attempted to retain a share which he could pass on to his son.  But his son wanted the money and in 1888 John sold the remaining part of the patent to Asa Griggs Candler (1851-1929) who went on to found the Coca Cola Company.  The rest as they say is history.

Sadly, John died in poverty still addicted to morphine in August 1888 followed tragically by his son Charley (Charles Ney Pemberton 1854-1894) six years later.

As you can see, the famous brand name was very simple Coca (Coca leaves) Cola (Kola nuts).  Its formula is reported to be a trade secret although I would in these days of advanced technology doubt that.

The Coca Cola logo which is in Spencerian Script is world famous and instantly recognisable.  It has had its competitors such as Pepsi Cola (1898) but really is the main drink.  The word has entered the English language to some extent

Two cokes please

I would like a Coca Cola

No matter whether you are in Australia or Argentina ordering or purchasing a Coca Cola is not problematical.  The name is the same in most if not all languages.

But I have strayed a little because of my surprise at what I discovered (I did not purchase the item and cannot remember its ticket price).  What I did do was walk to Hungerford Common with my wife and order two glasses of Coca Cola from The Downgate which sits on the edge of the common.  We sat on the Fairy Tree which can be seen easily from the inn and contemplated life and the beautiful April weather.

As normal, we spoke to our distant children and as an addition to our conversation I mentioned what I had seen for sale in the Arcade.  They both agreed with me that it was the most retro thing that I was likely to see in many a month.

If you are lucky the case of Coca Cola bottles might still be there when you next pop into the Arcade.  If so, take time out as I did to contemplate the products fascinating history.

It’s the Real Thing

Happy Hunting

Stuart Miller-Osborne

Hungerford Arcade really enjoy Easter with all the visitors coming from the UK, Europe and across the world to spend time with us and shop for those very special items that are dear to their hearts.  The one day we are not open is on Easter Sunday (see below).

Hungerford Arcade is closed on Easter Sunday, 16th April 2017 but will re-open at our normal time of 9.15 am on Monday, 17th April 2017.  

Hungerford Arcade was very proud to be a part of Commonwealth Day celebrations in Hungerford today.  We met with the dignitaries as they gathered in the Town Hall to mark the occasion.

All 52 countries of the Commonwealth celebrate Commonwealth Day.   2017 marks 40 years since Commonwealth Day became a global celebration marked annually on the second Monday in March.  The theme this year is “A Peace-building Commonwealth” which will be celebrated with various activities across the world.

L-R Wife of Mayor, Virginia Crane Lady Mayoress, Mrs Ellie Dickins, Town Constable of Town & Manor and Martin Crane Mayor of Hungerford

It was a pleasure to meet RSM Graeme King of 6 Armoured CS Battalion REME.  Hungerford Town struck a close relationship in 2013 with the REME Battalion stationed at Tidworth when they returned from Afghanistan and were invited to celebrate with a Homecoming parade through the town.  You will see the RSM again in November when he brings his Battalion of soldiers and armoured vehicles to Hungerford Arcade, joining the vintage military vehicles and the Wessex Ranges for our annual Poppy Appeal on Sunday, 5th November 2017.

                                                              RSM Graeme King of 6 Armoured CS Battalion REME

Mayor of Hungerford, Martin Crane with RSM Graeme King of 6 Armoured CS Battalion REME

             Hungerford Bellman, Julian Tubb

Hungerford Arcade was buzzing on Sunday with the arrival of the Italian in Piazza, Italian Food Festival.  There were fewer stalls than usual due to the bad weather conditions, but all in all it was a great day.  

                                                               Rita very happy between the flags

Italy turned a dull day into a bright, colourful one which everyone including Arcade stallholder Ian Spuffard enjoyed.  Come again soon.

Hungerford Arcade was bursting at the seams at the weekend with two big events going on both inside and outside of the Arcade.

Jewellery Valuation Day

This was a huge success with our very own expert, Frances Jones doing the valuations. There was antique jewellery bequeathed to people who just wanted to know the age and to find out anything they could about the pieces.  Some beautiful items were brought in and some were quite rare.

Needless to say, everyone left the Arcade very happy indeed and donations were made to our supporting charities.  Everyone a winner!

Hungerford Arcade count ourselves very lucky as many people draw inspiration from items found in the Arcade and share them with us. One such person is Christopher Jackson.

Chris, a brilliant photographer said, “I’d been thinking of this themed shoot for a few weeks since first seeing the Turkish Tulwar Sword and then talking with Don Greenslade on Saturday in Hungerford Arcade. I told Don of my idea and he was more than happy to help”.

Chris took the Tulwar sword and amazed us all with the photographs he sent to us.  All we could say was “Brilliant!”

Thank you Chris for sharing your creative gift with us all.  Rita 

Hungerford Arcade had the pleasure of having the Police outside the Arcade yesterday.  They were here to make children aware of crime especially in the countryside and giving each child a gift from Thames Valley Police.  They drew quite a crowd with people asking advice on everything to do with crime and crime prevention.  It was wonderful for the town’s people to see the police about and enjoyed their company as did we. 

          PCSO Paul Smith, PCSO Sally Joyce & Arcade Stallholder, Don Greenslade

PCSO Paul Smith and PCSO Sally Joyce said they were delighted to be here as it gives people the opportunity to come and talk to them about issues they have where the Police can help.  Also, it lets people know that the Police are always around to help them.  They give crime reduction advice,  how to protect your  property and many other things and will point people in the right direction for other matters.   Included is Country Watch, as well as helping the farmers with security advice, they loan out special alarms to the victims and if they think it is suitable for their farm, can purchase one.

Hungerford Arcade are very proud to be a sponsor of Mary Hare School for Deaf Children and Young Adults (you can find them on our ‘Friends & Links’ page under ‘Our Charities’).

Mary Hare’s swimming pool was in desperate need of updating so an Appeal was launched to raise the much needed funds to have it completely refurbished.  Happily, the target was reached and the great news is that the works have been completed and the pool will be officially opened in the Spring.  Hazel, Adrian and Rita will be attending the Grand Opening Ceremony on behalf of Hungerford Arcade.

         Working on the refurbished Swimming Pool

Hungerford Arcade would like to take this opportunity to thank all our customers, staff and stallholders who contributed to this wonderful Appeal.

A special thank you also goes to Hazel Browne who opened her magnificent garden to the public in the Summer and raised a substantial amount of money for the Appeal.

Hungerford Arcade has many visitors from across the world and we were delighted when Joseph Cho arrived with his beautiful wife from South Korea.  

Jo and his wife own an antique warehouse in Pohang, South Korea and really enjoy coming to the Arcade to find those special pieces to take back with them.   This is their fifth visit!

Thank you Jo, it was a great pleasure to see you again and thank you also for your patience waiting 3 hours for everything to be packed.  Rita