Retrospective life

In which G.M. Norton shares issue 03 of In Retrospect magazine with the help of John, Paul, George and Ringo.

As I reported back in February, I've now added Editor-at-Large onto my growing list of titles. That's along with Commander of Gentlemanly Operations, Protagonist, Father and of course, Soulmate. 

I'm still extremely proud to be part of the editorial team at In Retrospect magazine. If you haven't had the pleasure of perusing a copy, I would most certainly encourage you to get your mitts on Issue 03 which is out this coming Monday, 1st June.

Pre-order your Issue 03 by visiting In Retrospect's rather marvellous webular site.

Coincidentally, 1st June is also the date that The Beatles released their 1967 long player, Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

So as a little bit of fun, this week's periodical posting will be set to the song titles. Let's see if this works shall we?

Beneficiary boutique bargain

In which G.M. Norton has his (Christian) faith restored.

One Monday morning a couple of weeks ago, I received a missive from gentleman’s outfitters, Peter Christian. They were alerting me to a new waistcoat to pair with their £125 cotton summer suit.

I’ve recently experienced something of a lean spell with beneficiary boutiques. I’ve bought the occasional shirt and a few books but like a Heroin addict that has already sold the family silver, I’ve not enjoyed a satisfactory score recently. 

A few days later and I had an overcoming urge to visit the nearby Oxfam. As it was the day before that glorious time of the month that is pay day, I only had £13 to the Norton name, so I was a little worried that I might finally spot a whole heap of things out of my financial limit. 

First fashion foray at The Vintage Emporium

In which G.M. Norton frequents a vintage shopping extravaganza and knocks back bubbly.

A couple of weeks ago, my beloved and I were invited to attend a vintage fashion show at The Vintage Emporium which recently opened in Stockport.

For those who remember such things, I attended a fashion show last summer, organised by Mint Vintage and a number of other vintage traders across the north west of England. Since then, the traders have formed together as The Vintage Emporium and set up shop in an enormous Edwardian building by the name of Pear Mill.

VE Day – sombre celebration

In which G.M. Norton takes a moment to remember the brave.

Yesterday marked quite a landmark, the 70^th anniversary of VE Day, the day the Second World War ended in Europe.

The joy and relief felt across Blighty must have been quite incredible when Sir Winston Churchill announced news of the Allied victory.

My grandfather’s two brothers (making them my Great-Uncles) both fought during the Second World War. Sadly, only one would return home. Joseph died on the battlefield in 1940, while Norman returned home with a George Cross medal and a heavy heart. A member of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Norman along with two other men, bravely saved a soldier’s life.

Here is an excerpt from the London Gazette, dated 14 January 1944:

Review: Squared Pocket

In which G.M. Norton fills his pockets with UK-made goodness.

Over the last few years, the pocket square has made a triumphant return to the breast pockets of men across the land. 

I love a pocket square, simply because they add a fancy flourish to an outfit. Of course, they are merely decorative. Originally, pocket squares (or handkerchiefs as they are also referred) were always carried to mop one's brow or to offer to a lady in need.

 

Recently, I made the acquaintance of a brand new pocket square enterprise, by the name of Squared Pocket. They are based right here in Blighty, in Leeds to be precise, and pleasingly, their pocket squares are all made in the UK. What's more, chumrades, they are very affordable too at a penny under the ten English pounds mark.