Hungerford Arcade has many regular worldwide visitors.  On this particular day, an American customer, William R Hungerford came into the Arcade with his lovely wife and said that they have been waiting to come here for a very long time and were very excited to have finally arrived.

William R. Hungerford with manager, Rita at Hungerford Arcade, Hungerford, Berkshire, England

William is from Kansas, USA and can trace his family back to the 11th century when the first of the Hungerford’s, William and Thomas having lived in Hungerford, England emigrated to the USA and built the town of Hungerford in Texas.

Sir Thomas Hungerford of Rowden (died 1469), the eldest son of Robert Hungerford, 3rd Baron Hungerford, lived chiefly at Rowden, near Chippenham, Wiltshire. After giving some support to  Edward IV and the Yorkists, he joined in Warwick’s conspiracy to restore Henry VI in 1469, was attainted, and was executed at Salisbury, Wiltshire. He was buried in the chapel of Farleigh Castle.

Thomas Cromwell was captured and condemned to death without trial for treason and other crimes.  Following him to the scaffold was Sir Walter Hungerford. Both were beheaded on 28th July 1540.

Sir Thomas and Lady Joan Hungerford are buried in Westminster Abbey.

This is a very brief history of the highly influential Hungerford family, but you can find out a lot more about them on line.  When I first went in to research the Hungerfords, I was overwhelmed by what I found historically.   Unfortunately, it would take more time than I have to follow them through history, although I will certainly do this when time permits.

Having said that, the Hungerfords are thriving in the USA and are very influential.  Thank you William for coming to the Arcade and sharing your ancestors with us.  Rita

Hungerford Arcade was bathed in sunshine as the Hungerford Food Festival 2016 got underway.  The weather was perfect, the food was mouth wateringly delicious and the crowds were raring to go.  With every type of food you could think of all down the High Street and in the Town Hall, we were spoiled for choice.   The aroma from the freshly prepared foods was more tempting than anybody could bear.

Immediately outside the Arcade, a huge flaming pizza oven was waiting to bake the first of many dozens of fresh pizzas the people were watching being made.  I can tell you that they were absolutely delicious.  

When the doors to the Arcade swung open at 11.00 am, waves of customers came in all happy and jolly.  It was a fantastic atmosphere that was carried throughout the day.

Home and overseas customers excitedly snapped away with their cameras and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.  In fact, everyone had a great time.   I think there will be a lot of excess baggage going through the airports on their way home. 

Delicious food, live music and singing topped off with a visit to the Arcade made it a wonderful family day out. Truly a day to remember.

Three cheers from Hungerford Arcade for everyone involved in making the Hungerford Food Festival 2016 a huge success.

Friday, 30th September 2016

The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning raising funds for MacMillan Cancer Support

Raffle, auction, music and lots of cake!

United Reformed Church
High Street, Hungerford RG17 0NF
10:00am – 12:00noon
Tel: 01488 683165
hungerfordurc@yahoo.co.uk

To find out more information and other venues, click on this link www.macmillan.org.uk/

Travels with Arthur

About two years ago I found myself in Somerset not far from Porlock.  My mission if I had one that summer’s day was to discover the identity of the mysterious visitor from Porlock who so inhibited Coleridge’s masterful poem Kubla Khan.  But more of that later because when I was in Porlock, I chanced upon a battered copy of Arthur Mee’s guide to Somerset which was rather apt as I was deep in the county.

Arthur Mee (1875-1943).  For those who have not gathered his acquaintance, he was a British writer who is perhaps best known for his Children’s Encyclopaedia and his massive topographical and historical book series which stretched to some forty-two volumes.  Arthur Mee’s guide to the counties.  Some people saw the series as a modern day Domesday Book and who am I to disagree.

My day in Porlock was interrupted when a rather unpleasant storm rolled in off of the Bristol Channel and I was forced to take tea with Arthur in a nearby café.  We chatted for quite a while and parted promising to meet again sometime in the future.

I waited until two weeks ago when I met Arthur in Henley of Thames and began reading his guide to Berkshire. 

Here is the passage on Hungerford which I have slightly edited.

HUNGERFORD

One of the little towns on the Roman road to Bath, it has long been famous among fisherman, who come here to the waters of the Kennet.

John of Gaunt gave it a fishing charter, and a brass drinking horn which is the symbol of the office of a Constable, elected every year by the tenants of 99 houses who own fishing rights.

It is a quaint old ceremony beginning with the blowing of a 300 year old horn from the town hall, after which two men, called Tuttimen, carrying staves decked with flowers, go round to summon the tenants.

The church, more imposing outside than in, it was built in the year before Waterloo, but has kept from its predecessor a battered knight 600 years old, his shield is still on his arm though his crossed legs are broken.

A picture of St George in tiles and mosaic is in memory of Captain Astley, who fell in the Great War is also to be found within the church.

Hungerford has had its glimpses of English history.

To the Bear Inn came William of Orange to meet the kings commissioners a few days before James the Second fled to France.

It was perhaps at Eddington, not far away that King Alfred disguised himself as a harper and visited the Danish camp.

You can recognise our little town even from these bite size pieces and that it what the Mee books are all about.  It you want more detailed histories then there are plenty of books on the market including some excellent ones written about Hungerford.   Each of us has a favourite county, whether we were born there or have happy memories of the county.  Arthur’s books cover most of these counties.  The contents appear to be in alphabetical order (which makes life quite easy) and indeed, the Berkshire book starts with Abingdon (then in Berkshire until the madness of 1974) and concludes in Yattendon (where Robert Bridges once lived).

Most hamlets and villages are included as well as the towns.  There is a generosity of beautiful sepia photographs to enjoy although none of Hungerford in the Berkshire book. How easy is it to purchase one of these books you might ask?   Well during my last visit to Hungerford Arcade, I spotted a couple of his books.  How much would they cost?  They are incredibly inexpensive.   It is likely that your Sunday newspaper will cost you more.

Are some county guides rarer than others? 

I am not sure although one does see a good selection in bookshops and the like.  On the 1939 edition I own the dust cover notes: “This is English, this is ours” ,  And I think that this rather sums up Arthur.

“A remarkable event has been going on quietly and unguessed at for many years in our countryside”

“It is the first census of the ancient and beautiful and curious and historic possession of England since the motor-car came to make it possible”

In 1939 the editions ran from Bedfordshire and Huntingdonshire to The West Riding of Yorkshire.  There was also an introductory volume called Enchanted Land (which sadly I have not seen for quite a while).  In these fast days we often look at the countryside and wish we had time to stop the car (or get off the train) and just stroll.  Maybe with a companion or someone closer.  To just stop in the middle of a small hamlet and share its history.  To be in the deep countryside.  I am lucky for I have been an acquaintance of Arthur for many years and he has helped me to see things through his eyes and after that my own.

If you are planning a visit to a town or are just walking (or driving) through this rich country of ours.  Then take my advice, contact Arthur who for a small fee will make your days worthwhile.  The guides are the size of a normal hardback book and will fit into your bag easily.

I must be off now as I am visiting the Westbury White Horse.  I have packed Arthur’s guide to Wiltshire and hope that the summer keeps its good temper.

Enjoy your walks.

And by the way, I think it was William Wordsworth and his sister who so inhibited Coleridge’s poem.   But, that is another story.

Happy Hunting  

Written for Hungerford Arcade

by Stuart Miller-Osborne

We had a lovely surprise visit from the chaps from Special Auction Services in Newbury yesterday morning.  Thomas Plant and Neil Shuttleworth were accompanied by 4 teams, each with £200 each to spend on antiques, with the hope of selling them at auction for a profit.  The event was funded by The Newbury Weekly News’ Out and About magazine which ran a competition offering entrants the chance to go shopping for the day with the experts from SAS.  Everybody had a great time and some real bargains were had.  Thanks to Phil Cannings and the NWN for the pictures!

Hungerford Arcade never stands still, there is always nice things going on and lovely people to see. Last month we had Catriona Cameron, an Usherette with Giffords 1930’s Village Green Circus.  She looked very glamorous in her uniform and young Max, son of stallholder, Liz Browne was very proud to have his picture taken with Catriona.

The Painted Wagon rolled onto Marlborough Common on the  25th August and will be there until the 5th September 2016.  It is a spectacular show and wherever you are, take a look on their website by clicking on this link http://www.giffordscircus.com/

and find out where you can go to see the spectacular horses and shows – in fact everything.  To top it off, you could treat yourself to a wonderful meal at their famous Circus Sauce Restaurant.  

Thank you Catriona for coming to Hungerford Arcade and sharing this fabulous Circus with us and making Max’s day.  Rita

Sunday, 25th September 2016

Hungerford Arcade Classic Vehicle Show

9.00 am to 3.00 pm

Hungerford Arcade stallholders have families far and wide, but Cherry Dazell surprised us all when in the middle of the afternoon she walked in with this very tall, handsome chap and introduced him to us as Gary – her son who is over here on a visit from Australia.

Not only that, accompanying Gary was his beautiful girlfriend, Regena who is from Germany.  I must say, I thought she was a model as she is so gorgeous. Gary said that he had to bring Regena to Hungerford Arcade as it is shown so often on Australian television that it is really quite famous out there.  Also, he wanted to show her Cherry’s unit which really impressed her.  Regena loved the Arcade and was amazed at how big it is.

Rita, Gary and Regena

Cherry is very camera shy but she did take this lovely picture of Regena, Gary and myself which I hope you like.  Gary is going to get a large print of the photo to go on his office wall at Metric Seals Company Pty Ltd in Victoria, Australia.

Thank you Gary and Regena, it was a pleasure to meet you both. Ritax