Kempton

Summoned by bells and off to Kempton in the early morning after a large pot of tea drunk Betjeman style to the sound of birdsong.

Old Celluloid

Found recently and for sale in the section of my website known as 'Old Friends' a quantity of old Celluloid Floats.

Farlows in June

In a kitchen in Arcadia, a kettle boils, a glass of Victory Gin is raised and the wireless crackles as delivery is taken of the latest Paper Bag for the Soul from Tilley Printing, beautifully rendered in letterpress by the master of ink Mr. Martin Clark and announcing the next date at which my stall shall appear in Farlow's London Showroom - No. 9 Pall Mall on Wednesday 12th June.   Until then the bags will be available at my stall, by tea vans on the road, to callers at Farlow's and thereafter on the day itself.

The Salmon at Spitalfields

Found on the cloth of another man's stall at Spitalfields yesterday, dating to the era Arcadia Victoria and bought without hesitation, a half pint pewter pot from The Salmon Public House at Two Waters, Boxmoor in the chalk County of Hertfordshire.

Monk of Chester

Once upon a time in Arcadia, and most probably on a Thursday, ladies and gentlemen abroad and on the streets in search of fishing tackle in the northern town of Chester would take themselves off without dawdling to Henry Monk's.  There, they could buy fishing tackle from the century before as well as the one to which they now belonged.

Should you be a lady or a gentleman abroad on the streets in this the year of our curses and paper bags  2013 and be in search of such that you might once have bought at Monk's you are invited to call in at my stall in Spitalfields Antiques Market which stands solemnly and staunchly in memory of Monk and others on Thursdays only between the hours strict of 8am and 3pm and where I buy and sell Vintage Fishing Tackle for the Soul.  Thank-you.

Caught by the River Social Club

Next Tuesday Night, 30th April in the year of Arcadia 2013 The Caught by the River Social Club takes place upstairs at The Queen's Head Public House which is situated on Denman Street in the Piccadilly district.  Appearing at the night will be the Caught by the River Poet in Residence Will Burns, the author Charles Rangeley-Wilson reading from his new book 'Silt Road' and in conversation with myself alongside the photographer Neil Thomson presenting his artwork Phantom Fields and Ghost Squadrons.   There will also be a screening of Alison McAlpine's film 'Second Sight'.

Doors open at 7pm sharp and the landlord of The Head, Mr. Joe, reliably informs me that the taps are charged with Hobson's Mild and other ales of excitement.  Tickets, which may be bought in advance for the sum of £5 can be sought here.   In the meantime, your good company will be welcomed and is anticipated.  Thank-you.

Just in, Sir!

An outbreak of Post-War Vintage Fishing Tackle for the Soul has occurred in the section of my website known as 'Just in, Sir!' with a quantity of items from Efgeeco, Steade-Fast, Field's and The Modern Arms Company found recently and for immediate sale.

Lost Weekend

At 3pm in three weeks time on Saturday 11th May I shall be in conversation with Mr. Charles Rangeley-Wilson as he reads from his new work 'Silt Road' in The Brighton Dome Founders Room as part of The Brighton Festival.   Tickets are available here.

Holidays in the Sun

Bought yesterday from a passer-by at the stall a lost piece of stock from Woolworths:   A 'Holiday Pack' for Sea Fishing - Price 99p.  It remains vacuum packed and has been set aside for the gentleman who, since the demise of the chain some years ago is building the artwork 'A Saturday Afternoon in Woolworths c. 1977' in his back garden somewhere off the North Circular Road.

Forrest & Sons: Kelso-on-Tweed

Once upon a time in Arcadia, often twice a day, and not just on Thursdays, ladies and gentlemen would receive fishing tackle by post.   Those ordering from Forrest & Sons of Kelso-on-Tweed would be the glad recipients of a printed envelope complete with the image of a gut cast and flies on the back.  Oh, how His Majesty smiled upon the stamp at such style.

Nowadays in Arcadia it is still fashionable in some quarters for ladies and gentlemen to order their tackle by post but on Thursdays it is also most fashionable for them to buy in person at my stall behind which I stand dutifully in Spitalfields Antiques Market in Commercial Street in the district of London known as E1 between the hours of 8am and 3pm and at which there is always a wealth of Vintage Fishing Tackle for the Soul on offer.  Printed envelopes may also soon be available upon request.  Good morning!

Old Pal's Mall

Across Arcadia hats are raised to all those ladies and gentlemen who gathered at my stall in Farlows yesterday.   A riot was had by all on a tide of tea and good humour.   At the kind invitation of the manager of the shop, Mr. Max Sardi, the trestle shall be set once again at a date forthcoming, to be announced very soon.

Andrews of Arcadia meets Farlows Uptown - Today!

Andrews of Arcadia meets Farlows Uptown - Tomorrow!

Glazed and mirrored cabinets, campaign trunks of stock, kettles and further paper bags were deposited in the vaults over the weekend as preparations continued for the appearance of the stall in Farlows London Showroom at No. 9 Pall Mall - Tomorrow! from 09:00hrs.  We look forward to your good company.  All enquiries to field telephone number 07980 274 383.  Thank-you.

The Wild Men of Wilton

Joining me on the cloth on Tuesday at Farlows will be the angler, author and gentleman Mr. John Knott who will have for sale much coveted copies of his marvellous 'History of the Wilton Fly Fishing Club' published only very recently by Medlar Press.  The book, as well researched as you would expect from the man who took on the task of tracking down the identity of 'Faddist' is a wonderful trip back to a time when notices were served against swans and whisky was drunk to parch the summer thirst.  John will be on the stall from around 10am and will be bringing his own sandwiches.

Spitalfields

Gangs of New-Arcadians, regulars, ruffians, gentlemen of the America's and other passers-by gathered at the stall yesterday as the bells of Christchurch Spitalfields rang out across the district known as E.1, tea was swilled, pies scoffed and the devil put to the sword.

Barnett's of Frying Pan Alley E.1

Once upon a time in Arcadia and most notably on Thursdays in spring up until the year 1962 when the premises closed, ladies and gentlemen wishing to smoke salmon they had caught themselves on rod and line would take them to Barnett's of Frying Pan Alley in the district of London known as E.1.

Today in this the year of Arcadia and other promises 2013 there are still individuals that will smoke your salmon and many are known to loiter in the district of E.1 on Thursdays where between the hours civilised of 8am until 3pm I have my stall selling Vintage Fishing Tackle for the Soul in Spitalfields Market and where we celebrate ladies and gentlemen who catch salmon and other fish on rod and line and where, too, we salute the frying pan.

Holdfast! Andrews of Arcadia meets Farlows Uptown - Next Tuesday

Found recently and for sale upon the trestled velvet of my stall selling Vintage Fishing Tackle for the Soul that shall appear at Farlows London Showroom - No. 9 Pall Mall next Tuesday between the hours of 09:00 and 18:00 a quantity of Farlows Catalogues dating back to the beginnings of the 20th Century.