Pilgrims Antiques Centre 13 Robert Burns and Scotland

Welcome again to my journal about Pilgrim's Antiques Centre.

Each week I feature the treasures to be found in the shop, themed according to the season, the date - or indeed my mood.

25th January 1759 was the day of Robert Burns' birth.

And for Scots throughout the world it is the date of Burns Night.

The haggis is piped in, the neeps and tatties are served and much whisky is imbibed.

I have enjoyed reading about the life of the man - he was, indeed, quite a man, having fathered a dozen children with several women!

I intended to include a recipe for haggis here to accompany our thoughts about Scotland - but I couldn't get past the first few lines without feeling quite squeamish!

But if you want to deal with the sheep's stomach and the sheep's pluck (all the other bits which are normally now discarded) then go ahead.

This week, then, I enjoyed browsing amongst all the items for sale to find anything which could be connected with a Scottish theme. Some of the links are perhaps a bit tenuous!

I was not able to find something really suitable from every person selling in the shop. But over the weeks each person's items are featured on the blog postings.
Remember that when you come to the shop not all the items that I photographed will still be on the shelves - but always ask about anything that interests you.
If you want a closer look at any item in the photograph, you can enlarge the picture by clicking on it and then using the back arrow on your computer to return to the main page. Sorry to repeat myself - but more people are finding the blog every week.

Auld Scotland wants nae skinking ware

That jaups in luggies:

But, if ye wish her gratefu prayer,

Gie her a Haggis!

So, even if we find the old Scottish dialect a bit difficult, let us celebrate the life of a man beloved of all Scots.

Scotland - such a place of beauty. The mountains and glens would inspire us all. There are guide books and maps.

View master reels have their collectors. This reel features 3D pictures of Edinburgh.

PM (that's me) has this sort of thing on the shelves.

Remember the song......."There was a soldier, a Scottish soldier"?

Andy Stewart, with kilt swaying, at Hogmannay?

You will be well past your youth, like me, if you recall the words and the tune.

Here we have Scottish soldiers - models from WGM and prints from JS.

And a mighty bottle (empty) for a good evening with whisky.

Scotland is famed for glass.

On the left is a Selkirk glass vase from GR. She has marked it as AF, which means it is not perfect. As far as I could see the fault is that the inside of the glass has turned a little milky from use. Bargains can be found amongst AF items. AF - As Found.

The lovely paperweight is Caithness glass. It is being sold by JN.

The tall vase is Edinburgh crystal and from the glass ware to be found on the shelves of JS.

Anybody for a whisky? A huge china barrel, with a brass tap, from JN.

The blacksmith's at Gretna Green is world famous - elope over the border for a quick wedding.

Nowdays it all has to be booked and arranged in advance - but the people of Gretna Green still put on a good show for those that want a romantic wedding.

This blacksmith in JN's cabinet is actually German.

More whisky! This time it is Johnny Walker's whisky. The bar jug is mine (PM) and the little dishes are from JC.

Spoon collecting is popular. It is not expensive and the items don't take up much space.

Here we have one from The Isle of Skye and the other is a general one from Scotland, with a thistle.

TJ has some spoons for sale.

"My love is like a red, red rose

That's newly sprung in June......"

JN has a Royal Albert tea set called Old Country Rose; probably the most popular of the Royal Albert range.

Scottie dogs.

The picture is from TJ and the little ornament is from GR.

Thistle spoons from JS.

This is a hand painted wooden card case from the 18th century.

The painting of the scene from Edinburgh - Salisbury Crags - is superbly done.

The back of the case has been painted in the MacDuff tartan.

MC who is selling this plans that this item should go to a good auction soon. If it pulls at your heart strings then do get in touch with me.

You can always ask questions or comment on this blog.

If you are new to this site, please look at previous postings too.

Pilgrims Antiques Centre 12. Colours of flames.

The snow has gone now - for the time being at least.
There are some hints in the air that we are moving towards Spring - sunset (if we can see the sun) comes a little later now.
But it is still Winter, we can dream of feeling cosy and warm in the evenings at home by a roaring fire.
In these modern times a dream is all it can be for many, efficient central heating has taken over. But most of us can still picture the open fire and remember staring into the rich oranges and reds to see interesting shapes amongst the logs and the tongues of flame.
Those images were in my head as I browsed in Pilgrims Antiques Centre this week.
My pictures of things for sale reflect the colours of a welcoming open fire.

I was not able to find something really suitable from every person selling in the shop. But over the weeks each person's items are featured on the blog postings.

Remember that when you come to the shop not all the items that I photographed will still be on the shelves - but always ask about anything that interests you.
Yesterday a lady was in and hoping to see some lovely glasses, but they were not there. We phoned the dealer and he had them at home, planning to take them to an antiques fair. He contacted the customer and an arrangement could then be made.

If you want a closer look at any item in the photograph, you can enlarge the picture by clicking on it and then using the back arrow on your computer to return to the main page. Sorry to repeat myself - but more people are finding the blog every week.

Come with me now and enjoy a walk round the shop to see what the various dealers have for sale just now in reds and oranges - and other flame colours.
Do let me know if you think I should put more information about things I have photographed.


JS is a glass specialist. This week I looked specially for cranberry glass.
The orange fluted fruit bowl has real character too.

More glass from JS. The pink bowl on the left is Victorian.

HC is a jewellery specialist.
It is a delight to open her cabinet to enjoy the treasures within. I tried on the

garnet and diamond ring, but it was too big for my slender fingers.

GR also sells glass.

But this selection shows that many of us who specialise a little, also like to have other items amongst our stock.

Even amongst items not originally designed to be decorative I could find the flame colours.

WGM has a corner which pleases lots of our male customers.


JN has mostly Victorian things - always popular.

The picture frame is actually one of a pair. And there are two orange jugs as well.

China and a Staffordshire dog from JN.

The dog, of course, has a twin!

SBG had these two items which fitted my criteria.

A heavy copper saucepan and a Royal Doulton figurine.

JSB and MAB have all sorts - many items well below £20.

The large copper coloured glazed jug is by Wade.

MC is always hunting for beautiful and decorative items.

The lovely copper handles - and there are hinges too - were salvaged from an old wardrobe.

The vase is from Rookes Pottery.

Very striking Poole Pottery and a huge fringed shawl - which JW describes as a piano shawl.

I had not heard of such a thing and so did some Internet research.

How wonderful the Internet is - suddenly you feel the need to know a little more about something and the answers are just seconds away.

. A piano shawl is a large square or rectangular piece of fabric that is used to decorate the top surface of a grand piano. The piano shawl serves the practical purpose of protecting the piano from nicks, scratches, and the elements. However, many piano shawls are quite elaborate and also serve as decoration.
Piano shawls are very often heavily embroidered with bold colors and patterns. The patterns often incorporate flowers or nature scenes. It is also quite common for piano shawls to be edged in long fringe. Not only does the fringe look exquisite, but it also helps to drape the shawl evenly over the piano.

I searched through TJ's shelves and found a varied assortment of items that were red.

A child's book and tray - the tray has scraps decorating it.

Old tins are collected by many.

This is an old talc tin.

And now we are at the far end of the shop in what used to be a cafe.

I (PM) share this room with TJ and half of JW's things.

I love the bold brash designs of the 1950s and 1960s.

Handkerchief vases come in 2 sizes and many colours and patterns. They were made by Chance Glass.

The bowl with the circles is by Sylvac.

A miscellaneous collection of my (PM) things - showing a range of things with the flame colours.

I have quite a lot of books about the Dorking area - and post cards.

Another piece of carnival glass on the left.

The flame glass bowl on the right is on my "SALE" shelves - so is definitely under £5.

I would only put pictures of people on to the Pilgrims Antiques blog with their approval.

This is Bill, my husband - WGM - sorting a few things out at the desk.

You will get a friendly welcome from him on a Monday.

On other days you will find other smiling faces and friendly conversation from one of the many people who share the shop and the duties of caring for it.

Next Monday, when we are in the shop again, it will be Burns Night.

I have never been to a Burns Supper.

I hope that the customer who was buying plates for his own Burns Celebration before Christmas will have a great time.

I shall search the shop for anything that loosely has a Scottish theme to present in my blog posting.

If any Pilgrims dealers are able to find such items before next week I would love to include them.

Pilgrims Antiques Centre 11. The town of Dorking.

What a week we have all had!
Sadly Pilgrims Antiques remained closed for 4 days. People travel some distances to come and sell, and do duties in the shop, and most were unable to make the journeys during the worst of the snow.
We must assume that very few people were in Dorking during those days - just those who could walk in to buy a needed loaf of bread.
But apologies if you had wandered along West Street, hoping for a soothing browse in the antiques shops. In fact only one antiques shop opened, the owners being very local.

Maybe the "cabin fever" which is a phrase that has been used to describe the shut in feeling many have been experiencing, finally got to me.
I forgot to take my camera yesterday to the shop.
Yes, we are back open again now.
It was a lovely day, with much conversation.
But, without a camera I was unable to take pictures of any stock in the shop. The idea of lots of rich orange and red to remind us all of the warming flames of an open fire had to be forgotten. Maybe we will still be glad of it next week!
But the Pilgrims Antiques Centre blog goes on.
I will share with you some knowledge and views of Dorking.

Many people collect old post cards. My own, personal collection focuses on places that have been important in my own history and also of those family members long gone.
My husband's family have been part of Surrey for very many generations - I can trace them back to 1630.
There are tenuous links with Dorking - a gr grandfather and gr grandmother were married in Dorking and my husband's grandmother was born in South Holmwood.
But I have not chosen to include Dorking postcards in the collection.
I have quite a lot, though. And next Monday I will ensure that my Dorking post card album can be in the shop with cards for sale.

Below are a few examples.


This is West Street in the 1930s. It is taken, looking west and from a point just beyond Pilgrims Antiques.

The Kings Arms is on the right hand side.

The buildings in the High Street have changed little really.

Different shops now occupy the spaces of course. Dorking has the usual shops found everywhere - Boots, Smiths etc. There are also far more individual shops than in many towns.

Modes of transport changed a lot during the last 100 years.

No horses and carts are seen now.


Time moves on. The policeman directs the traffic. He is at the point where the High Street splits into West Street and South Street, now a one way system controlled with traffic lights.

Traffic can be heavy at times - the High Street is part of the main A25 from Guildford to Reigate.

This is the A25. The house on the left would have been about opposite Dorking Halls on the junction with London Road.

This shows some changes. The road has been widened. It is taken at the same spot as the card above.

South Street.

The band stand is gone.

Has it been taken away, restored and installed somewhere else I wonder.

Post cards are able to give us recent history.

There is a good museum in Dorking - but it is shut at the moment for complete renovation.

There is a Dorking Museum web site.

http://www.dorkingmuseum.co.uk/

The web site has details of a coffee morning later this month and also lists local history books for sale.

The museum, almost opposite Pilgrims Antiques, will re-open this year.


Keep your eyes alert - even standing in the boring Waitrose car park, it is possible to enjoy the view of the old roofs of West Street with the graceful church spire beyond.


This picture is of West Street - Pilgrims Antique is a little up the road on the right.

The picture was taken 18 months ago. The shop on the left is no longer Hampshires - now Talbot House Antiques.

There is a West Street Association and a West Street web site.

http://www.weststreetdorking.com/

Lots of information on this page.


And here is the front of Pilgrims Antiques.

It looks small - but the shop space goes back a long way. There is so much to explore.

The little streets round the church are enchanting with original cottages.

The water pump /road sign post at the junction of West Street and South Street.

Guildford has been blanked out because of the one way system - everybody bears left at that point.

The White Horse - coaching inn, situated in the centre of The High Street.

The High Street, looking East, from roughly outside Sainsbury's.

There is so much to be thankful for in Dorking. Old style shops, smart shops, antiques shops, character, interesting buildings, guided historical walks with plaques on relevant buildings, famous residents through history, sign posts to all sorts of places - must get to The Glory Woods some day.

There are pubs and coffee shops.

Come and explore Dorking, look into the history.

Come and explore the antiques shops in West Street and enjoy all the old items and the memories.

Pilgrims Antiques Centre 10. Clocks and Calendars.

Life is trying to get back to normal after the Christmas festivities.
The weather, however, is meaning that for many, life is far from normal.
In Dorking it is very cold, but as I write, there has been little snow since Christmas. If you are facing weather related problems I sympathise and hope that the increased community spirit that often results at such times will cheer you.

But whatever the weather we cannot deny the passage of time. A new year has begun - a new decade even.
I wish everybody peace, contentment, fun and good health for the next year and decade and I trust that even when hardships come, you would have the strengths to see you through.
Happy new year!

With thoughts of the passage of time I decided to concentrate on things to be found in the shop which measure and record the ticking away of minutes and days.
We have no clock specialist in the shop. But JK has clocks and barometers and probably could answer some clock related questions.
In fact all of us would try our best to point you in the right direction.

I photographed many of the items within their own areas.
I was running out of time yesterday to move things about.
I had spent the morning sorting my own area for a January Sale. I now have a shelf unit devoted to items priced at £5 or less - many bargains to be had.
JN also has many bargains. He frequently marks his price tickets with red pen and a new much lower price - it rather depends on how much new stock he gets in.
Others also reduce prices too - many do it quietly. You might look at a ticket and think that a certain item seems to be cheap, though it is not marked in any way.


Here is my January sale shelf.
I am PM.

At this point I will suggest to new readers that all the pictures can be enlarged by clicking on them and then using the back arrow on your computer keyboard to return to the main page.

In the last month 36 separate people have looked at the blog. This is very pleasing for it has been going for only a short time.

As always I have to remind you that items photographed for this blog might not be in the shop when you call. Things sell every day of course.

Now - the passing of time.

This is my clock (PM). I like it a lot. It is not as old as it looks - it is a quartz clock. It runs off batteries.

It is made of wood and has a little drawer at the base.


JK has this clock and barometer mounted on heavy wood.

The chain you can see is not part of the clock - it is part of the security system.

This is another of JK's clock/barometers.

This one is part of the window display.

The whimsical, sparkly Christmas window has gone now. There is lots of wood and brass to be seen.

A 1930's kitchen calendar - the date appearing by revolving discs behind the cottage.

This is part of my (PM) stock.

WGM has this good modern clock. It is battery powered.

It is for sale for just £7.

This is a much older clock being sold by JN.

In the 1970s it was the height of fashion and trendiness to have a Pirelli calendar.

Well, I thought we were very sophisticated to have them!

TJ has this 1973 edition for sale.

I chose this month's picture for the blog.

Maybe full frontal might have been a bit much for some tastes!

The Bunnykins clock is battery operated. It is amongst my (PM) juvenile items.

MC has this silver pocket watch. It has been difficult to date for certain.

There is a back to the watch - I was not really aware that anything was missing.

This is a small clock, perhaps for a bedroom, set in Edinburgh Crystal glass.
It is from JC's stock.

I love this! I am old enough to remember when we were all careful about time spent on the telephone and mostly we would only use the telephone after 6 o'clock in the evening when the rate was cheaper.

This is from SK's stock of interesting old telephones.

SK is also selling this wall clock.


I shall continue to add pictures and comments each week, whenever possible throughout this year. Feel free to make comments.

And once again - A Happy New Year to you.