The Norman King Dunstable

The  Norman King in Dunstable is an Inn, that dates back in parts to the 11th century.  It is alleged that King Henry 1st had a Palace Lodge built there which was known as Kingsbury Court.  This is where he stayed when going through Dunstable and used as a hunting lodge, until he built the Priory Church on the opposite side of the road, then he stayed with the Prior, but the Lodge was still used by his entourage an the nobility.  There are several old buildings still intact on the Kingsbury site, that where used as farm buildings.  In 1961 The Old Palace Lodge Hotel and The Norman King where opened, having been the farm house and the stable's.  The Norman King was separate to the hotel, being owned by different people, and it was a very popular little pub with the local's, and retained it's thatched roof and old world charm.  In 2011 it had a small fire and closed for refurbishment, It was then sold to the Palace lodge, as extra rooms and also an additional venue.  It had re-opened and on the night of August the 9th 2011 it had 50 guests and employee's staying there, when an arsonist struck and it was burnt down with guests and staff being safely evacuated.  Being a grade 11 listed building, we where ever hopeful that  it would be rebuilt, and that it would re-open it's door in all it's former glory.  The English Heritage have now confirmed that they will be submitting a report to the Department of Culture Media and Sports for review.  They will decide if there is enough of the historic fabric of the building left to deem it a grade 11, or if it has been to badly damaged by the fire.  There are hoping for a decision to be made by the autumn.  If of course it is decided to de-list, then there is no chance of it's survival, and the current owners will be able to knock it down.  Unfortunately no attempt has been made in the past year by the owner or the council to start work on it's refurbishment.  Dunstable has so few historic building's left, that it would be a tragedy for us to lose another, especially one so picturesque. 

Charity shops

Isn't it amazing what little bargains you can still find in charity shops.  Normally some of them have e-bay accounts, and savvy manages, who look up what something is worth, what condition it is in before they set a price.  I find it quite amazing really, because what is given is given freely, being a charity they get cheap rent and rates, they should pass on they lucky finds to their customer.  Unfortunately everything is about making as much money as possible, so a lot of charity shops look just like normal  shops with everything itemized together, and some even colour coded, even the prices, are not much cheaper.  However you can still find bargains.  I went into one shop that had all the items nicely displayed, and in the windows items laid out to buy, at the front of the window  was a violin for £24 not bad, but on top of it where a load of little bits and bobs for 50p or so. Surely if you want someone to pay £24 for something it should have pride of place in the window, hanging or free standing, but clear of other items.  The bargains however are still there to be had so have a little roam around town and go and have a rummage, who knows what you will find.

The Olympic Torch

The Olympic Torch left Luton at 6.45am with Lewis Hamilton carrying the Torch.  Here are some pictures from the North end of Dunstable as it makes it's way to Milton Keynes and on it's way to Aylesbury.  The crowds got there early, and in the centre of Dunstable it was packed.  Kevin and I watched it on the live stream till it got to MacDonald's  on the A505, then we got our coats and strolled down to the High Street.

The final torch bearer was Penelope Green who has worked for 20 years fund raising for Down's Syndrome. She arrived wearing a pair of Golden Slippers, for her short stint to French's Avenue, before the flame goes by car, on to Milton Keynes and through Bletchley, Buckingham and Aylesbury to Oxford.  Well that was early enough for my day off back to bed.

Peacocks Shops

What great news Edinburgh Wool Mill, have bought Peacocks clothing store.  200 branches will close but fortunately for Dunstable ours will remain open.  We have so few shops, and apart from the outlets in supermarkets, we have few independent clothes shops that bring us a wide range of clothes.  Sun European Partners bought Bon Marche also part of Peacocks last month so as a small town, which has over the past few years been decimated with shop closures both of these bring a welcome sigh of relief.  We have had a few shops open up including a bike shop, a cake shop, a new age shop called Gentle Ways  that sells fairies, and candles, and will be doing Reiki and aromatherapy upstairs, a cafe and a craft shop. Unfortunately for those of us that like art and craft materials, This shop is a creative shop where you buy a pot and paint it, good for the kids, they also do workshops for cake decorating and cupcakes.  All lovely shops and very welcome but we do desperately need some old favourites.  I suppose until Dunstable Town Council start thinking of Dunstable, and doing something about the traffic, the big names are not going to come.  I go to Leighton Buzzard for Habadashery, and art and craft needs, but I do try to shop local, but it isn't easy.

Peacocks

Let it Snow!!

I do love a bit snow, it was hard work walking to work in it, but never mind, at least I got there and on  time.  Unfortunately most of the snow has gone, now I have a few days  off.  Normally I do manage to get up the Downs to see the children with their sledges and to take pics from the top of the  Downs. Not this year though, shame.  Here are a few pictures, of  Dunstable taken on my way too and from work.