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NEWSLETTER JUNE 2008

EXCITING NEW ADDITION TO OUR RANGE

Whilst many of our customers choose to wear a bow tie with their formal kilted oufits, ruche ties are now a very fashionable alternative and can be used to match the bridesmaids' outfits and compliment the colour theme of the wedding or partnership ceremony. In the past we have provided a bespoke service for this, using the customer's own fabric. To add to this, we are now happy to provide ruche ties and matching garter flashes for adults and boys in a lovely selection of colours, both to hire and to buy. Nineteen colours are available, but the ones I would suggest best compliment the Northumberland tartan would be the rich jewel colours of purple, red or wine or the more subtle tones of silver, grey or black. Ruche ties in a wonderful shantung finish are available to hire for £5 each or to buy for £7.50. Same prices apply to garters in matching fabric.
The Alnmouth Arts Festival was blessed with superb weather this year and was busy all weekend, with vistors from near and far enjoying the opportunity to view some wonderful art accompanied by a leisurely stroll around the village. The beautiful sunshine meant that wine and Pimms was the order of the day. This festival gets bigger and better every year, so if you missed this year, do look out for the notices for next year's extravaganza.

Love is in the Air
A very busy month this month as romance is in the air and our wedding season is upon us! Weddings for this month and next include the Phillipines and just up the road from me at Alnwick Castle! Also, the Northumberland tartan will be gracing the Captain's table on a cruise up the Panama Canal, so the "Black and White" night will be just that! We are working hard to create a "gallery" showing our recent weddings and how wonderful the plaid looks when worn by my many wonderful male models (by kind permission of their brides of course!).

Postage Charges!!!
I was alerted recently to the fact that postage charges were being applied on our new website by ourselves and also by our Paypal payment mechanism. This problem has now been solved and so customers will not be charged the equivalent of sending a rhinoceros through the post when they order a pair of cufflinks!



Many of you will know that the initial inspiration for my business came, in the eternal words of Ernie Wise, from a poem “wot I wrote”whilst at home during my eldest daughter Grace’s prolonged illness several years ago now.

.My son had been set a homework to write a Northumbrian ballad. A typical lad, his entire world was football-shaped and so, when I suggested that our county tartan might be a good subject for a budding bard you can imagine the reaction – “no thanks,mammy. I’ll just write it about the football”and that was the end of that, or rather it was until I scribbled my own piece, which really set me on the path of researching the real history behind the plaid.

Well my budding career as an author and a poet was fast brought to a halt when I embarked on the business, but I still do enjoy writing whenever I get the chance, although the speed at which I manage to write these newsletters would suggest otherwise!

Recent News……

Charlie’s Check

Helen Mirren might have swept all in front of her recently with her sensitive portrayal of HRH E2, but I had my own little brush with royalty, albeit at a distance, when Graham of Crown Studios was asked to produce three replica Neolithic pots to be presented to Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall during their recent visit to the county.. The presentation box was lined with the plaid and very smart it looks! Other examples of Graham’s work can be seen by visiting him at Crown Studios , Rothbury. p.s. I know you’re all slightly disappointed that I didn’t report that I had measured the POW up for a kilt, but if I am ever summoned to the Palace with a tape measure I’ll be sure to let you know!



From the Prince of Wales to Prince Charming ….

and in Alnwick recently not one but many Prince Charmings gathered to take their partners to the ball. The Duchess School in Alnwick’s glittering Prom Night took place at The Gosforth Park Hotel in Newcastle and flying the flag for the Northumberland plaid were the three very dashing chaps pictured below..Other pictures from the evening can be seen at The Northumberland Gazette.



New in Store……..

Windy Gyle

We are delighted to have in the shop hot off the press Anthony Robb’s wonderful new CD Windy Gyle. Priced at £13.00 this is a wonderful collection of tunes and well worth considering as a gift for lovers of Northumbrian music everywhere.



Music from the Alnwick Gardenalso priced at £13 is a collection from the Alnwick Pipers Society. Pictured on the front cover in their plaids with the Castle as a stunning backdrop again this is a perfect gift for friends, family or simply as a treat for yourself to banish the rainy blues of a very rainy British summer.



My Northumbrian Poems back in stock at £3 the ever popular collection of illustrated pems by Mollie Armitage.




OPENING TIMES


After five very happy years at The Kirkharle Courtyard and over 120,000 miles of driving to and fro, I have made the hopefully "greener" decision to move to premises closer to home. Watch this space for news on our new retail outlet. In the menatime business continues apace and orders can be placed via our online shop, by telephone on 01665 712953 or by visiting outlets in Northumberland where a selected range of our goods is on sale. Please see our "stockists" page for details.