Shadows and Reflections

As is customary on the last day of the year, my Shadows and Reflections are published today on Caught by the River.

A Christmas Card from Arcadia

The Social Christmas Market - Saturday 16th December 12pm-5pm

As mentioned in last week's Time Out myself and the Empress of Arcadia are delighted to be stalling out, as is tradition, at The Social Christmas Market this Saturday 16th December.  As a diversion from Vintage Fishing Tackle for the Soul, we shall on this occasion have for sale a limited number of bookplates we have designed in conjunction with our dear friend Martin Clark at Tilley Printing and a revival of a Spratt's Dog Biscuit Christmas Card from the year 1926 printed by the good people at Aldgate Press. Doors open at midday and the stall shall close at 5pm.  We look forward to your good company.

 

Caught by the River meets Faber Social Uptown

On Wednesday evening next 13th December in this the year of our doubts and fears 2017 I will be acting as Master of Ceremonies at the Caught by the River Faber Social Christmas Party which takes place at The Social on Little Portland Street in the district of London known as W.1.  There will be records played by Frances Castle, poetry from the Caught by the River Poets-in-Residence Will Burns and Martha Sprackland, a reading by Daisy Eris from ''2023: A Trilogy by the Justified Ancients of Mu Mu', Adelle Stripe talking about her novel 'Black Teeth and a Brilliant Smile' and David Keenan author of 'This is Memorial Device' in conversation with Andrew Weatherall.  There will also be a performance by a special guest.  The night is almost sold out but you may buy one of the few remaining tickets here.

The Days When We Were So Young and Did Not Know It

The first of a four part serial that I have written entitled 'The Days When We Were So Young and Did Not Know It' in collaboration with my good friend the photographer Nick Fallowfield-Cooper is published in the latest issue of Fallon's Angler.  It is a story based on and inspired by the extraordinary illustrated scrapbook of the Victorian/Edwardian lady Marjorie Taylor (nee Tillard) and commences in the year 1895.

The National Vintage Fishing Tackle Fair - Sunday 13th May 2018

Across mansion blocks in all Arcadia trumpets sound, Elgar is on the radio, cabbage is boiled and chipped Coronation mugs of Victory Gin are drunk by the gallon to mark a triumphant return to The Abbey Stadium in Redditch for yesterday's National Vintage Fishing Tackle Fair.  Thanks to all those who supported the fair in advance, grafted at, stalled out and came through the gate on the day you made it a joyful riot.  The next National Vintage Fishing Tackle Fair will take place on Sunday 13th May 2018.  All enquiries to the field telephone number 07980 274 383.  Thank-you.

The National Vintage Fishing Tackle Fair meets Angler's Mail Uptown

Chipped Coronation mugs of Victory Gin are raised in thanks to Matt Sparkes who has very kindly given this Sunday's National Vintage Fishing Tackle Fair a special mention on his 'Historic Moments' page in this week's Angler's Mail (cover date 14th November) where you may also read of a seminal angling match between Efgeeco and K.P. Morritt which took place on the River Kennet in early 1965.

The National Vintage Fishing Tackle Fair meets ATG Uptown

Trumpets sound and flags are put out for Joan Porter who has featured the forthcoming National Vintage Fishing Tackle Fair on the Fairs & Markets page in this week's issue (No. 2316 Nov 11th) of Antiques Trade Gazette.

The National Vintage Fishing Tackle Fair - Sunday 19th November 2017

The National Vintage Fishing Tackle Fair - Sunday 19th November 2017

With the imminent closure of the Kingsley, The National Vintage Fishing Tackle Fair returns to a 'new' venue, its old home The Abbey Stadium on the Birmingham Road in Redditch on Sunday 19th November 2017.  All enquiries to me on Field Telephone Number 07980 274 383.

Port Eliot Festival

All roads lead westwards to Port Eliot Festival where from tomorrow at around a half past three in the afternoon shortly after my good friend Parker, the legendary band leader of the Arcadia 78RPM Orchestra, performs the ceremony of the playing of the first record in the Caught by the River Tent until early on Sunday evening I shall be executing my humble duties as Master of Ceremonies on the Caught by the River Stage introducing the most spectacular array of the most splendid literary and artistic works yet seen or heard on a festival stage this year. There are delights and wonders many. A full line-up and stage times for the Caught by the River Stage may be seen here. If you are taking the tarmacadam or iron road to St. Germans I look forward to your good company. 

 

Stalling Out

Ladies and gentlemen, on Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd July in this the Year of Our Lord and Other Storms 2017 I shall be stalling out in the cool shade of the bar of Ludlow Racecourse as part of the sideshow of dealers alongside Mullock's Auction of Antique & Modern Fishing Tackle and Related Items.  I will have two tables be-clothed and full of delights known truly as Vintage Fishing Tackle for the Soul. Should you be taking the road over the top of Clee Hill I look forward to your good company over a cup of tea brewed from the waters of the Lud. Thank-you. 

A Letter from Claude

'Don't you doubt it, we will fish together one of these years. Surely we can look forward to unlimited petrol again in the not-too-distant future'

My piece 'A letter from Claude' is printed in the new edition (Issue 10) of Fallon's Angler which is available from all good news kiosks, public bar counter boxes, street corner urchins and online at Fallon's Angler for the sum of only £8 including UK postage. In addition my good friend and collaborator Nick Fallowfield-Cooper has made a short film to accompany the issue which includes a song by my old muckers the mighty Trevor Moss and Hannah-Lou.

Sound the gong, Jem!

Trumpets sound for the arrival by Auden's Express of 'The Lumber Room - Unimagined Treasures', the eleventh Random Spectacular published by St Jude's for York Art Gallery to coincide with the exhibition of the same name which recently took place at YGA.  I am honoured to have a piece on taxidermy entitled 'Sound the gong, Jem!' illustrated by Mark Hearld the exhibition's curator included in the publication. Copies of 'The Lumber Room' are available to buy in the St Jude's shop.

For All Those Left Behind

For all those observing the old ways, may the spirit of anglers who have gone before you dwell in your swim.