Alex, Edwina and Colin

We always love to see what people do with the things they buy here – especially if they restore an item back to its former glory.

Over a year ago Colin and Edwina Brown bought a tatty old toy theatre from the Arcade.  It cost them about £7.50 and was in truly terrible condition.  The backdrops were torn, there were pieces missing and lighting had been added which was badly wired.

Unfortunately there are no pictures of it before the restoration but it was easy to recognise that once upon a time it was a wonderful toy, even if it had been slightly mistreated.  When they bought it, it was on its last legs and didn’t look like it would survive for much longer at all.  

They paid and left and we didn’t really think anything of it, until a week ago when Edwina and Colin came back in for a browse around the shop and showed us a picture on their phone of the theatre.  They had done an amazing job of restoring it, using lots of replacement pieces which they managed to somehow source.  They also wired the lights up properly and fixed any torn bits and pieces and the overall effect is fantastic.  

The theatre with the stage lights on

As a punishment for breathing and having an opinion of my own, I was often forced to sit through long episodes of ER when I was younger.  Although I was soon bored by the hysteria of the show, the presence of George Clooney did compensate a little and I believe he was the reason that my wife and her sister liked ER so much.

I can remember one episode which we watched after returning from Blackbushe Market in which the character, played by George Clooney, noted to a senior colleague that they were returning to the Stone Age in reference to the lack of facilities available in the white gleaming hospital that featured in the series.  This line I remember prompted a line of thought in my fading brain that evening.  Did Stone Age people have any conception of medical treatment?  I thought about it for a while and then the question faded from my memory.  That was until yesterday when I was given a book of poems written by T Wilson Parry (1866-1945).  To tell the truth, I had not really heard of this chap so I researched his details on the internet.  I found very little (and nothing relating to his poetry) but what I did find was most interesting and was found on the Science Museum website.

Thomas Wilson Parry was heavily involved in medical research and in some rather original trephination experiments between 1918 and 1920.  There is a photograph of a piece of flint which Wilson Parry used in his trephination experiments and it looks very much like the flint that we find in this area.  As the limit of my medical knowledge is probably how to successfully cover a cut with an adhesive plaster, I will in part quote from the website to illustrate what Wilson Parry was looking to achieve.

Trephination involves cutting into the skull to remove a small area of bone.  It is probably the oldest surgical procedure and is thought to date from 5000 BC.  Tools such as pieces of flint and sharp animal teeth were used to perform the operation although they would have taken a long time to cut through the skull compared to more modern instruments.

Thomas Wilson Parry was a researcher who made and experimented with instruments of a type that would have been used to perform trephinations in the Neolithic period.

Trephination is thought to have been performed in order to release evil spirits from the body, which were believed to be responsible for causing illness.

As noted, I had found out nothing about Wilson Parry’s poetry but had found an answer to my question which had been swimming around my empty skull since the days of George Clooney and his ER pals.

Yes, Fred Flintstone and his chums did have a primitive conception of surgery and I would like to think that they also were aware of how to treat minor injuries such as cuts and bruises.  Life was tough for our ancestors, but they would have observed and have used logic when living from day to day.  So instead of writing them off as a bunch of football supporters, we should give them some respect.  We may be more advanced today, but if you scratch the surface then the basics are the same.

I read some of the poetry in Wilson Parry’s book which was called Immortal Names and Other Poems.  It was published by The Mitre Press in 1937 and really some of the poetry is very good, but what intrigued me was Wilson Parry’s dedication.  It was addressed to a Desmond Cronin.  In parts it is a little difficult to read, but I will reproduce as much as I can to give you flavour of what was written.

It was in the spring – over fifteen years ago – that I first came into contact with a little fellow, five years of age.  Desmond Cronin, whose mother was grievously anxious about.  It had been my pleasure to attend to him professionally from that day till he became a medical student at St Bartholomew’s Hospital.

He has now passed his intermediate medical examinations for the London University and has made his first gallant attempt at the age of twenty-one for the Primary Fellowship.  Desmond is a thinker and I have always believed will take a high place in our profession.  Beside the thousands of facts necessary for a clear knowledge of our profession.

The next line is hard to read but appears to note that love and human kindness are very important if one wants to become a successful doctor. Wilson Parry ends his dedication with these gentle words. 

Such Desmond, I believe you possess (love and human kindness?) and with the necessary scientific knowledge – you have the required pre-requisites to mount high in an ideal profession.

I could wish no better for any man.

T Wilson Parry

July 1937

It appears that Wilson Parry gave Desmond a book of his poems as an appreciation of what the once sickly boy had achieved with a great deal of hard work and dedication.  In a way it is a little haunting as I cannot find any direct detail about Desmond Cronin on the internet.

If Desmond was twenty-one in 1937, then he would have been born in about 1916 and there is a good chance that he might still be with us.  I hope so, although the book has found its way into the antiques trade which does give an indication that it might have been disposed of as part of an estate.  But I will not ponder on that thought and just be pleased that I was introduced to both Thomas and Desmond via the book of poetry that was kindly given to me.

George Clooney has gone on to better things which is pleasing for such a handsome and talented actor and I suppose it is with a little nostalgia that I remember those evenings watching the episodes of ER with a glass of Blue Nun balanced on the arm of the settee next to me.

Until yesterday, I had not heard of Thomas Wilson Parry or Desmond Cronin and my Stone Age question had remained dormant in my grey matter for more years than I cared to remember.  But within the hour of researching my gift I was able to answer my question and was aware of the poetry of this rather talented doctor and the uplifting story his protégé.

It all goes to confirm that one does not know what knowledge lies ahead and all questions have an answer and it only a matter of time before you find what you are looking for.

Happy Hunting

Stuart Miller-Osborne

Hungerford Arcade was very impressed when Trudi and her husband, Paul walked in and gave us all a taste of the past.  They completely took us back to the 1930’s and the wonderful Art Deco period.  They were funny, witty and a great joy.

Trudi makes all their clothes herself, which is an amazing feat.  I have never seen two people look more the part than Trudi and Paul.  It was as if they had just come through a magical door into the future.

During the summer, Trudi and Paul open their beautiful garden in Bracklesham Bay to the public.  They have been members of the National Garden Scheme for over twenty years raising a lot of money for charity. Trudi said that she dresses like this when she is gardening….Wow!

Thank you Trudi and Paul for making our day!  Rita

Paul, Rita & Trudi

Hungerford Arcade was very excited when the Thames Valley Mounted Police arrived outside the Town Hall in Hungerford to meet and talk to the people of the town.  They were soon surrounded by children and adults alike, eager to find out about the horses, their riders and the work that they do.

L-R Mounted Police Officer Spencer Kervin & Trojan. Mounted Police Officer Samantha Silk & Mallory

Thames Valley Police is the largest non-metropolitan police force in England and Wales. they police the counties of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, and serve a diverse population of more than two million, plus six million visitors who come to Thames Valley each year.

The horses are very patient and full of character and are a joy to be near.  Their duties include crowd control, official ceremonies and PR work.  When the police career of these very brave horses is over, they go to the countryside for a well earned happy retirement.

Hungerford Arcade Manager Rita Kibble making a fuss of Mallory

Hungerford is the only town left in England to celebrate the festival of Hocktide, which we do every year with great pride.  The history of Hocktide and Tutti Day go back possibly as far as the 11th Century, but Hungerford adopted the tradition in the 1300s when John of Gaunt granted grazing and fishing rights to the commoners of the town.

                                             Arcade Manager, Alex Rogers with the Tutti Men and Woman

Hocktide is the Monday and Tuesday in the second week after Easter and marks the end of winter and the beginning of a new financial year for the town.  Traditionally rent was paid on the Tuesday, or Tutti Day, to the Tutti Men who are appointed by the court every year.  Every property with commoners rights in the town gets a visit from the Tutti Men on Tutti Day.  No rent is paid to them anymore but a kiss might be offered to the lady of the house and oranges are handed out by the Orange Man.

It all sounds very complicated and nonsensical to an outsider but it’s something that Hungerford is known for and something which will hopefully continue long into the future.

Hungerford Arcade hope that you all enjoyed St. George’s Day in the glorious sunshine.

                                    Arcade Manager, Alex Rogers and co-owner Adrian Gilmour

Owner Adrian Gilmour and Manager Alex Rogers with their beer

If you are local to Hungerford, you will probably be aware that we feature in the local paper quite often.  The Newbury Weekly News is always happy to talk to us when we have a story which we think is worth publishing and this year marks the 150th anniversary of the founding of the paper. To celebrate this landmark, the NWN has commissioned a special beer.  Brewed by the experts over at West Berkshire Brewery, this best bitter is a brand new recipe created especially for the celebration.

John Garvey, the Hungerford correspondent for the paper, has very kindly given a presentation box containing three bottles of the beer to us to say thank you for the stories we have provided over the years.  It feels strange to be given a present when it isn’t even our birthday, but we’ll take it! Thanks John and congratulations to everyone at the paper!

Hungerford Arcade are very proud of their dealers and the fantastic skills some of them have.  Diccon Dadey is tops when it comes to Metal Art Sculpture.

Diccon Dadey is a metal sculptor who fabricates a wonderfully eclectic collection of modern and traditional home and garden art in 3D form.

Whether contemporary or traditional; whether abstract or a reflection of nature, a Dadey Metal Art Sculpture offers a unique and timeless piece of art which never fails to enhance its environment either as a breath-taking centre-piece and ongoing ‘wow’ or a gently placed nod to nature.

For more information regarding dates and opening times, please click on the link below for the Open Studios 2017 web page at:

http://www.open-studios.org.uk/_artist.php?entryID=997#Diccon Dadey

The Barn @ Inholmes, Woodlands St. Mary, Hungerford, Berkshire RG17 7SU

Tel: 07800 965548
E-mail: diccondadey@gmail.com
Website: www.dadeymetalart.co.uk

Hants & Berks Guild of Craftsman Member  http://www.craftsguild.co.uk/

West Berkshire Open Studios http://www.open-studios.org.uk/

From M4 jctn 14 take turning to Wantage. First left into Ermin Street, after 1.5 miles into Woodlands St. Mary take first left into Inholmes. Studio is second house on left.