Pilgrim's Antiques Centre West Street Dorking. Picnic time.

Wow! What a wonderful week of hot and sunny weather we have enjoyed in Surrey.
It has been a time for long refreshing drinks and picnics- a time for relaxing under the cooling branches of the newly green leaves.

I have just 2 pictures for you this week.
I spread a cloth over a table in the back yard of the shop and found items from many dealers in Pilgrim's Antiques Centre which reflect the picnic mood.

You would see things better if you enlarged the pictures by clicking on them and then returning to the main page with the back arrow on your computer.

It was one item, to be seen on the first picnic table, which gave me the idea of this week's theme.
It is the ceramic boater on the right.
The crown of the hat lifts off to reveal a large platter for cheese or other tasty picnic bites.
It is for sale in Jo's area.
Jo also has the chairs that I used - she has 4 of them.

Let us hope we have a long, hot summer - not too hot for those of you who find the heat a problem.

The shop is normally quite cool - so come in and escape the heat of the High Street midday sun.

There are many open air events during the summer, such as the Polesden Lacey Festival or the Wisley Festival - both close to Dorking. Spread out a cloth on your camping table and picnic in style.

Pilgrims Antiques Centre West Street Dorking. Bakelite and plastic.

This week my theme is bakelite and plastics.

Obviously this is not the realm of fine antiques and not all of the dealers in Pilgrim's Antiques Centre would choose to absorb these modern materials into their stock.

But there is a great demand for 20th century collectables.

And there are many to be found within the rooms of our centre.

Bakelite actually can just be considered antique, for it was first developed just over 100 years ago, but its popularity for both useful and decorative items was not fully explored until the 1930s.

Most of the items I found in the shop yesterday were not true bakelite, but more modern forms of plastic.

If you want to see any of the items in more detail, then please click on the pictures. Then return to the home page by using the back arrow on your computer.

I am Paula and I write something each week about the shop.

I very much enjoy the wild and wacky colours and designs that were used in the 1950s and 60s.

The basket could be used for fruit or for papers - or anything.

The little egg cup set is so very typical of that era.

Everybody has older relations who might have owned items like these.

The cheap plastic biscuit barrel may have been sold in Woolworths in the 1950s.

The preserve pot is of blue plastic in a chrome holder.

All our mothers, grandmothers and great aunts had fascinating button tins.

Now old style buttons are very much in vogue - and to find full sets of them is special. Terry has a basket of buttons.

The red plastic cruet set is not English - the name and colours of the label suggest it is Italian.

1950s sun glasses - nobody wore "shades" in those days did they?

These glasses are very slightly magnifying.

Terry has these two plastic specimen vases in the shape of a treble clef.

High class plastic!

The bag is by Helena Rubenstein - the chunky handle appears to be plastic.

The scarf is silk.

These are in Jo's area.

Monika and I work together one day a week.

One week she brought in the 3 plastic napkin rings on the right.

And just a few days later I found 3 more - almost the same.

Sadly we can't really quite marry them together as a set because hers and mine are a bit different, but both have a lovely art deco quality.

Monika has this pendant on a chain - early 1930s plastic.

I think it is charming.

Stephen's telephones are bakelite or plastic.

The white one is French and has an extra speaker so that 2 people may join in one conversation with a caller.

The black telephone is German.

A mixed collection of plastic jewellery from Sue, Terry and me.

A 1960s plastic lampshade - almost everybody of my generation had one of these.

Shame its not orange - much more sought after.

This lampshade is from my area.

The plastic dolls are also mine.

Both date from the 1950s into 60s.

The one on the left is made in Hong Kong. The one on the right is a BND, British doll.

I love these dolls that remind me of my own childhood.

Most model cars are made of die cast metal.

But one French company, Norev, has used a lot of plastic and are very collected.

Their earliest models have a very simple primitive look. The ones I photographed are a bit later - from the 1970s.

Matchbox Models of Yesteryear have been mounted on all manner of desk ware.

This veteran car is mounted on a plastic pin dish.

These items are to be found in Bill's corner at the front of the shop.

Plastic has been used for all sorts of things - and is still used widely.

If you are a collector of plastic, clearly you will be looking for things which have a style of a bygone age - which may not be so very long ago. Styles change so quickly.

The plastic packet holding the 2 full sets of patience cards is very 1950s and can be found on my shelves.

The keyring, decimal currency converter is Terry's.

The change over was almost 40 years ago.

D Day (18th February 1971) in my house stood for more than Decimal Day; it was also Due Date for our second son. No, he didn't arrive on that date.

Hilary has a passion for bakelite jewellery.

And wouldn't you know it.... this week I found none in her cabinet.

No doubt it had all been snapped up at some of the fairs she has sold at recently.

Times might be hard financially in the UK right now, but our trade has not been hit too badly really. People still like to have some fun or maybe invest some money in items that will not drop in value.

So, not all the things I have photographed will be in the shop when you call in.

Instead there will be many more new items - each of the dealers brings in fresh stock each week.

We all just love the hunting for things to display on our shelves or in cabinets for you to enjoy.

They do say that warmer weather is about to hit Surrey - come to Dorking and explore the shops, the town and the surrounding countryside.

National Trust members would enjoy a visit to Polesden Lacey close by; or maybe you would relish lunch at Denbie's vineyard.

Pilgrims Antiques Centre, West Street, Dorking. Pretty in Pink.

Welcome, old and new friends, to Pilgrims Antiques Centre in Dorking.

It is May time - the blossom is full on the trees and bushes, but we seem to lack the sunshine and blue skies to allow blossom to be displayed in full glory.
In Surrey it feels cold - a chilly north east wind keeps the temperatures down; but we are promised something a bit better for the weekend.
Maybe it would be a good time for a day out in Dorking, to explore the antiques shops, take a walk and enjoy a relaxing meal or coffee.

If you come to West Street you will find many antiques shops of all kinds.
Pilgrims Antiques is a centre where 16 dealers display their wares.
This blog attempts to give an impression of the varying types of things to be found in our shop.

Today's theme is pink blossom.
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Feel free to make comments or contact me.

Pretty pink blossom.

These pink items are Jill's; she is one of our glass specialists.

The pink sundae glass is from a set of 4, in different pastel shades by Maling.

The pink ostrich feather is Jo's.

The shawl I used for a backdrop is Terry's.

Mick has been with us since the beginning of the month.

These items are Clarice Cliffe, from Mick's cabinet.

Another of Jill's pieces of pink glass.

It is Victorian.

Julie has all sorts of little bits and pieces.

The pate pot is by Sarreguemines. Little ornaments, like this shoe, are called moss ornaments I think.

And here is Julie, our French friend, tres chic, tres elegante!

Jonathan has some items in pink.

But he no longer has that small vase at the front - it is one of a pair.

The pair sold a couple of hours after I took the photograph.

Sue has this Victorian cranberry glass stemmed bowl.

Gill has the Coalport place setting card holders. You can see that they are very reasonably priced.

I think that all of us aim for fair prices. Nothing is expensive - though, of course, some things cost more than others.

More from Jonathan and a little flower plate from Jean.

There is a complete tea service to accompany the Wedgwood teapot, well priced at £78.

Old eiderdowns are very much in vogue just now. They can be so pretty and so warm.

Monika has this one for sale.

Jo is selling the barbola mirror and some pink lace - and the ostrich feather.

Jo has a good stock of textiles and trimmings.

Monika is selling this fire screen.

She is debating if it might be better as a picture for the wall.

So, when you come in it might not have any legs and be hanging up above the fireplace.

A powder bowl, vase and necklace from Terry and Emma.
In theory the area they use is rented by Terry, but her daughter Emma is very much involved too.

They have some furniture at the moment - dressing tables and chests of drawers.

Jo also has furniture and is well known for finding good Lloyd Loom pieces, often renovating them herself.

These few bits are mine - Paula.

I do like that floral toast rack with little bowls for your butter and marmalade.

The cup and saucer is Carlton Ware.

This flower fairy jug is also mine.

It is by a company that have used the name Carlton Pottery. The jug is lovely but has no connection with the more famous Carlton Ware who produced the cup and saucer above.

Behind the jug are 2 floral tea cosies being sold by Terry and Emma.

Here we have a few more of my bits and pieces and some buttons from Terry and Emma.

I hope that we can all get an opportunity to enjoy the lovely blossom before the end of May in May sunshine.

Pilgrims Antiques West Street Dorking. A walk along some side streets.

Welcome to Dorking.
This week I am sharing with you some pictures that I took on a little walk around the town.
There are no pictures of Pilgrims Antiques this time. I normally do pictures on the day when I am on duty in the shop - Monday. We have just enjoyed another Bank Holiday and the shop, along with the other antiques shops in West Street was closed.
I hope you enjoyed the day's holiday - quite chilly wasn't it, here in the south east of England?

Pilgrims has been bustling and busy lately.
It was good to welcome Mick to our number last week. He has a cabinet in the first room. He has Clarice Cliffe, Moorcroft, silver, art glass etc - lovely things to enjoy and give as gifts.

It was a beautiful day when I took these photographs - see the lovely blue sky and dream of some brilliant summer's days ahead.


The tall spire of St Martin's Parish Church is visible from far and wide.
This shot was taken from just outside Marks and Spencers.

Now I am in the churchyard - hard to get all the spire into a photograph.

Looking along Church Street, lined with terraced cottages.

From the churchyard it is possible to look out towards Box Hill.

This is the view of Dorking from Box Hill - taken on another day of course.

Box Hill is worth a visit. The woods and heathland and open country are National Trust property and there are some lovely walks laid out.

Church Street Cottages.

This little lane leads away from Church Street, down in to the hollow.

Rose Hill House is on the other side of The High Street from the church.

It is attached to Butter Hill House.

This part of the structure, Rose Hill Arch, is Victorian.

It looks quaint and serene - but traffic from Sainsbury's car park passes under this arch!

This is the back of Butter Hill House.

Here we are looking back down South Street to Pump Corner and the High Street.

You can see the church spire and Box Hill.

The War Memorial is in South Street.

Behind is the Quaker, Friends meeting House.

A 1960s post card of South Street.

A postcard of South Street from the 1900s.

The band stand stood about where the War Memorial now is.

The tall brick building on the right (with an awning) is now shared by Waitrose and Waterstones.

Just beyond is Cummins - the hard ware shop, still retaining an old fashioned air, thank goodness.

Dorking has been home to many people of note - most especially Ralph Vaughan Williams. He was responsible for the prestigious Leith hill Music Festival.

This statue of him is situated outside Dorking Halls.

I plan to walk and photograph West Street some time quite soon - home of the Dorking antiques trade. The street has much history and lots of interesting buildings and details.

But next week I shall return to the stock in Pilgrims Antiques.

I haven't decide my theme yet.

If you have any suggestions for themes or any other comments, then please do add them to the comments section below.