Thursday 27 June 2013

Bambridge & Co. Windsor Bridge, Eton

Once upon a time in Arcadia and as far back as the Year of Arcadia Georgio 1790, ladies and gentlemen after 'Hook Baits of All Kinds in Season' or those looking for a 'Fishing Punt to Hire' could make their way to Bambridge & Co at Windsor Bridge on the River Thames at Eton.  There, Mr. Bambridge sold 'Fishing Rods and Tackle of Every Description at Popular Prices'.  At busy times he was even 'open' on Sunday Mornings from 09:30am until Midday.

Occasionally a piece of tackle from Bambridge's surfaces, I once had a Nottingham Reel, the central rose of which was engraved with the Bambridge legend but due to a large unpaid gentles bill I was forced to sell it to another dealer.  In order to prevent such things occurring in the near future you are summoned to my stall at Spitalfields Antiques Market, Commerical Street in the district of London known as E.1. on Thursdays only between the hours of 8am and 3pm, a place where I sell 'Fishing Rods and Tackle of Every Description at Popular Prices', and where, if you buy me a cup of tea, I can tell you where there are still punts for hire on the Thames and even where you may obtain live bait in the winter.   Thank-you.