Spotted this tonight while looking for a bit of Edwardian inspiration:

http://www.brolliesgalore.co.uk/

They've got all manner of folding weather protection on their site, including some rather nice Edwardian shape parasols: http://www.brolliesgalore.co.uk/acatalog/Edwardian_Parasol_.html#a1975

Though this may be if interest to some members:

Like many venerable institutions, The Chap has run into financial difficulties, due principally to a disastrous result in the 2.30 at Wincanton. But also the spiralling costs of paper stock, printing ink and distribution services, and of course the increase in tax on tobacco products.

The harsh reality of the current situation is that if the June issue doesn't go to press, The Chap will cease publication for ever.

We hope our readers agree that this simply cannot be allowed to happen, since The Chap is much more than just a magazine. Consider the implications for the nation if we were to disappear:

* Vulgarity - without The Chap, there will only remain racks and racks of glossy celebrity gossip magazines, half of which are full of adverts for mascara and motor cars
* Obscenity - any Chap readers who wanted to continue reading a men's magazine would be forced to read Nuts, Zoo or, worse still, GQ
* Sartorial integrity - without The Chap keeping proper gentlemen's clothing in circulation, society's poor standards of dress will drop off the scale, resulting in an entire population clad in romper suits; blue for the lads and pink for the ladettes
* Eccentricity - Britain is in danger of becoming utterly bland and without character, thanks to most towns offering the same dull chain stores, and "lifestyle" becoming a marketing term rather than an actual personal choice. The Chap, by celebrating the eccentrics of the past and present, holds on to this noble British tradition and encourages every town, village and hamlet to cultivate its own identity and to look after its local eccentric
* Afternoon Tea - by championing traditional English rituals such as afternoon tiffin, village green cricket, hat doffing, "Breakfast of Champions" (a cup of Oolong and a briar full of Dunhill's Early Morning Mixture), beer that isn't "extra-cold" and made on the continent, and the wearing of bowler hats to work, The Chap is preserving the things that make Britain an agreeable place to live, compared to our rather uncivilised neighbours across the Channel

What are we asking for? Simple. A donation from any of our readers who feel moved to offer a small gesture of support. One pound from every reader would allow us to print the June issue. Larger contributions would of course also be welcome and would speed up the process towards getting this issue published sooner rather than later, leading to subsequent issues arriving on time and the entirety of our mission continuing apace. The June issue, which we would be unable to print without some form of assistance, promises to be a particularly splendid issue, with contents including:

* Land Girls on the cover and cavorting over seven pages
* An extensive interview with Chap of Chaps Stephen Fry
* An article about Sapeurs, the Congolese dandies who live in abject poverty
* A Savile Row tailor's appraisal of David Niven's superlative wardrobe
* The E-Type Jaguar Series One Roadster, that louchest of automobiles
* A new advice column, in which readers are offered conflicting advice from the Lady and the Cad
* Count Arthur Strong responds to the Chap Questionnaire
* A new Chap of the Month section, opening with a picture of a man flying a Spitfire while reading a copy of The Chap

If our appeal is successful, every single reader who contributes something will be acknowledged in the next issue, and those who make the highest donations will receive a free VIP ticket to the 10th anniversary Chap party in October (all being well in the publishing department).

If you would like to help save The Chap with a paypal donation, go here: http://www.thechap.net/content/section_contact/save-the-chap.html and fill in the amount you would like to donate. Please direct any further queries to save@thechap.net

Good morning friends,

I recently went on a bit of a yomp out on to the peaks, and it led me to the fantastically picturesque Burbage valley, a lovely sheltered area with a babbling brook, woodland and dramatic cliffs.

It was suggested while we were "roughing it" there that it would be very fine to have a picnic there by the brook, listening to the giggling water as it falls over the rocks and take in the scenery, much in the way our dear Queen Victoria did in the highlands of Scotland.

There is no hard walking to be had, as the local public transport system runs a bus service to the always splendid Fox House Pub, and it's a gentle 20 minute stroll from there, the cost of a ticket being £2.50

We could choose a weekend, hop on to the bus, have our little picnic in our best tweed then retire to the Fox House while waiting for a bus to take us home.

I submit this to our organisers as a suggestion for an outing.

Greetings m'fellow fops,

You are all cordially invited to attend an EGM hosted at the abode of Mr Roper (address available on request) in which the following is to be addressed:

The future of the society
The British Party
The Summer Picnic
The Winter Ball

And, of course, any other business which you the members wish to raise.

This is to be hosted on Friday June 5th (which, I am aware, is the date of one of our members' birthday. Unfortunately it is the only convenient date between now and The British Party)

If you are unable to attend, please state any points you wish to be raised at the meeting and these will be voiced by either Mr Roper or myself.

Looking forward to seeing as many of you there as possible!

Warmest regards,

Felicity Keane

Okay, have talked to Mr Haslam now he's back on our shores and the best weekend for him in June is going to be the weekend of the 20th.

So, here's the plan (will also compose a Digest tonight with all the details in for those not on LJ):

Saturday 20th of June 2009

Lunch and drinks at a public house for those that can make it at 1-2pm, probably the Fat Cat, possibly somewhere else, more definite details nearer the time. If you can't make this, don't worry, this is really something at Mr Haslam's request to do as a cosy thing.

British Party at the home of Mr Roper and Mr McIntyre from 7pm.
I'd like to see as many of you as possible for this one. We do request that you dress in British fashion from any period of our chequered history (and there's a LOT to choose from!) and foppish if you can at all manage it. We also request that everyone attending bring either 1 British dish or 1 British drink to share with the crowd as per the usual way of things. If you've got something specific you'd like to bring but don't want to duplicate, drop me an e-mail to volksangyl@hotmail.com

Food and Drink

Confirmed:
HOT curry - Mr G & Mrs E Roper gothhog (this has become a 'possible maybe' due to double-booking!)
Punch, Fruit cake and Sherry Trifle - Mr A. Roper mr_roper
Elderflower Champagne & Ginger Beer - Mr A. McIntyre purplefluffy (if the brew is ready on time)
Cheese Scones - Miss F. Keane flickums

Ideas, unconfirmed (feel free to suggest more!):
Pimms
Gin and Tonic
Sandwiches (cucumber, jam, honey-roast ham &c.)
Cheeses (Double Gloucester, Cheddar, Stilton, Yarg &c.)
Potato Salad
Little savoury pies
BIG savoury pies

Quiche (is this maybe more French than British, or have we absorbed it into British culture?)

Does anyone know where I might be able to get some Union Flag bunting or fabric to make bunting with? There seems to be a distinct lack of Union Flags on my journeys lately. EDIT: Not to worry, thanks to Mr McPherson, I found some :END EDIT

I saw something about a Steampunk get together in Lincoln this year, and mr_roper thought I ought to share it with the group.

Details here: http://steampunk.synthasite.com/

Homecoming Party will be happening in June this year.

I need to know what dates people in this group ARE NOT available to best plan a suitable date for it.

Event will be lunch at a public house during the day, with a break so that I can get our house sorted out for the party - fire, barbecue, drinks, punch, parasol, faery lights, &c. - in the evening.

The Pub Lunch would be dress code free, just fop it up a bit, but the party in the evening would have a Dress British theme. Britain has a wealth of fashion inspiration to choose from including the contemporary country tweeds, city pinstripe and mods of the 1960s, not to mention the sharp Edwardian and Victorian fashions and earlier, into Regency and Mediaeval fashion.

I may even see about sorting out some bunting to throw up about the place.

God save the Queen!

It's that time of year again, time to start planning your outfits for the Summer Picnic.

As in previous years, the format should remain the same with the Picnic taking place in a park - we found Weston Park was a nice central location for all and a good balance of everything we needed last year - with members bringing along food and drink.

I'm thinking August will be good for the Summer Picnic as the weather should be well suited. Ideally not August Bank Holiday as the park will be heaving with people but the date can be confirmed nearer the time.

If people are wanting outfit inspiration or to go on a bargain shopping trip around Sheffield (which does tend to require a lot of walking) then I'm perfectly happy to help on those scores.

I would like to offer people the opportunity to learn how to use a sewing machine and to learn the basics of sewing so that as many people as possible can at least accessorise their outfits. I'd love for other sewers in the community to help out on this score too, I know there's quite a few of you.

When I have a date, there will be some information on a Home-coming party with a Dress British theme sometime between June and the Summer Picnic which I shall keep you all posted on a bit later.

I finally got some new items finished and listed.  100% handmade with love by ME!

I'll ship anywhere in the world for $5.00.  Everything ships out in a gift box. US orders go Priority Mail, international goes by First Class.  Paypal only please.



Moonstone pendant / brooch.
http://www.rivkasmom.com/steampunk_brass_watch_mechanism_pendant_necklace_p/7468.htm

More new necklaces here:
http://www.rivkasmom.com/category_s/27.htm

Don't forget to check my Spring Sales and Clearance sections!

Recently collected this from a friend, in need of some maintenance.





Item: Reed Organ by W. Doherty & Co. of Clinton, Ontario (Canada). Most likely imported when new to Liverpool or Manchester and sold by Crane & Sons
Age: Late 19th century
Cost: Free

( four more pictures )

Several components need reconnecting, such as the stops and knee levers/pedals. The bellows need attention since they leak, but it is playable and in pretty good condition for its age, considering previous treatment.

I'm very excited about this instrument, fully intend to learn to play it and the friend I collected it from is happy to help me restore it since he used to be in the organ restoration business for quite a few years before health issues meant he could no longer continue.

N.B. Reed Organs and Harmoniums are very similar in appearance and operation and I had previously been informed this was an Harmonium but have since been corrected.