Three years ago today, we sadly had to say our last goodbyes to this amazing man and true friend, Vernon Levy. I may add more about him one day (as there is so much to add), but right now I just want to say how much all of us at Guru miss him. He was a true friend and a great teacher to so many. We (and I suspect all who had the pleasure of meeting him), think of him often and always will.
I’m drooling over these stunning natural crystals we used to stock in our shop, so I’m sharing some here so our friends can see what I mean. What a wonderful artist Mother Nature is. I think she is beyond comparison… The image speaks for itself.
This book was compiled and published in 2007 to mark a significant change to a much-loved feature of our town. It is a heartfelt piece of social history and is still available at a reduced cost of £10 from our physical shop or online at https://guruboutique.co.uk/product-category/books-cards-and-stationery/
A few years ago we ran a competition to design a T-Shirt suitable for the Guru Tribe. Here’s a bit about how it went…
“…after a lot of deliberation Joanna Morris (Northern Echo), our chief judge who I really do have to thank for doing a very difficult job so well, has picked Glenn Wigham’s handpainted T-shirt as the winner of our CUSTOMISE A GURU T-SHIRT COMPETITION. Joanna said: “Glenn’s entry was bold, colourful and provocative. Along with its touch of rebellion and non-conformity, it beautifully embodies the spirit of Guru and those who flock to the tiny shop that keeps Darlington’s counter-culture thriving and well-dressed”.
We would like to add, “A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL THE PEOPLE WHO ENTERED SUCH A HIGH STANDARD OF WORK – WE LOVE YOU!!!”
The image is of Glenn Wigham wearing his winning design. He wrote that his design is both a protest at the way the 1st world often exploits other cultures and a celebration of how the life, colour and vibrancy which the respectful appreciation of the art of those cultures provides, enhances and enriches all of our lives.
MANY, MANY MOONS AGO, BACK IN THE TIME OF ALL THINGS ‘70’s A SMALL SHOP WAS BORN IN A BRAVE ATTEMPT TO OFFER TO THE WORLD, AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE UNEXCITING AND PREDICTABLE.
The name of this shop was GURU BOUTIQUE, and thus the legend began… (cue Native American tribal drums)
As recorded in the annals of the tribe, after a brief trial attempt by Bery’s parents in 1971 which whetted their appetites, it was in 1972 when Irene and Beryl (mother and daughter), properly set out on their adventure into the unknown.
To get more braves and squaws to aid and abet them, they searched the world (well mainly Darlington where the shop was located, actually). Here below is a list of some of those first brave comrades, and some others who have swelled the ranks since. This following record shows both their given and tribal names and in a few cases the reasons why they got those tribal names.
Irene – (Wise Owl). So named because she was the most beautiful, placid, loving, funny, mischievous, caring, level headed and determined one of us all. In times of crisis, she knew how to calm us down, not only with her delicious cups of soothing tea but also with her wisdom, good nature and unfailing common sense… Irene is much loved and greatly missed, and her legacy lives on.
Beryl – (She who stands by till). So named because since 1972 until at least the time of writing this, she has been there, behind the till for all to return to, talk to and see.
Tony – (The Darlo Lama). So named for his simple uncomplicated lifestyle, wisdom, quick wit and dogged perseverance. Quite simply he is our hero.
Colin – Fog maker. So named because when he had to operate a dry ice machine at a fashion show we once put on, he was so interested in the beautiful squaws on the stage, that he forgot to turn it off. That resulted in all the models ending up walking around waist-deep in a haze of dry ice. Which was OK as it gave the whole thing an air of mystery.
Kelly – (Little sky). So named because although not tall in stature, she is as tall as the sky in spirit. She is always looking up and thinking of new and better ways to enhance and improve things.
Now follows a list of some of the first wave of people (and a couple of newbies), who were given their tribal names and thus became members of our tribe…
Ray (big chief gets things done). Joe (builder brave). Uppinder (Pinny of the smiling eyes). Libby (walks in moccasins). Rachal (moonflower- aka the girl with the storm-cloud eyes). Heather (the kind one – aka gerbil girl). Julie (broken hanger). Rosalie (dream catcher). Angelica (firewater girl). Caitlin (little many treasures). Paddy (he of many voices). Mark (friend to many). Caroline (rainbow child). Nicola (helpful one). Peter (bold adventurer). Stephanie (image-maker). Amy (arrow and fire). Sarah (little beaver – don’t ask). Linda (horse whisperer). Nicola (helpful friend), Nichola (shining star), Bridie (running girl). Andy (drum warrior). Stuart (runs with the pack), Gary (music guide). Tracy (life guide). Nellie (aka The Phant). Hugh (Mort). Nick (biker brave). Haggis (toot toots)Karen (Pathfinder). Tracey (bright light). Phil (fffooking brilliant). Sandra (caring squaw). Vanessa (best gig girl). Tracy (life guide). Paula (creative soul), Krissy (swift messenger). Toyah (little treasure). Sarah (little star). Mel (big chief do’em’books). Christina (princess Chrissie laughs a lot). Georgina (princess Georgie jumps a lot). Claire (gentle song). Kamay (music girl). Kayeung (watching girl). Princess Ebi (graceful one). Princess Zoe (little chef). Chloe (the fair one). Hope (watchful one). Beth (retro girl). Karl (fixer brave). Kendall (Mac shaman). Terry (web warrior). Darby (medicine man) et al…
Many more people should be mentioned here, and I could go on for so much longer adding names of worthy tribe members who feature in our long history (you know who you are), but sadly space does not allow me to do that!
NOW IT HAS COME TO PASS THAT THE TRIBE HAS MIGRATED ONTO THE VAST TEEPEE KNOWN AS THE INTERNET AND HAS SET UP CAMP THERE. IN ORDER TO LEARN WHAT THE TRIBE IS DOING NEXT, THAT IS WHERE YOU NEED TO JOURNEY…
As mentioned elsewhere we are on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, as Guru Boutique – plus if you type in #gurutribe that will take you to our Instagram account where we post lots of lovely images and details of the things we stock
Apart from our business pages listed above, we have a special non-commercial Facebook group, created especially for our lovely tribe members to hang out in without fear of hassle, which is aptly called Guru Boutique (Guru Tribe).
This is the second and concluding volume in our ‘Secrets of 24 Blackwellgate’ two-parter and the author is Beryl Maughan Hankin. (Book two’s price is £5.99 and book one is still available at £6.99)
This is the second (and final(the final book in this mini-series about the strange goings (including time travel) connected with our shop. It (and book one), are available from our physical shop or online from https://guruboutique.co.uk/product-category/books-cards-and-stationery/
Crown Street Library (which was recently in danger of closure) was given a reprieve and hopefully will flourish well into the future in Crown Street. Thank you to all the people who campaigned so hard to make this happen.
Under pressure from public opinion, Darlington Borough Council had to decide the future fate of this iconic institution which was gifted to the people of the town to be used as a library forever, by the Pease family.
For financial reasons, the cabinet members on our council had decided that it was in the best interests of the town that the building should no longer be used for this purpose. The members of DBC were asked to decide whether or not the building which is in Crown Street, would cease to be a library and the books and archives and art collection split up and relocated in The Dolphin Centre (a sports and hospitality complex) and various other places around town. At the eleventh hour and after a lot of stressful and expensive legal tussles it was finally decided that our library should remain open at its traditional location. We believe that Darlington’s main town library belongs in this particular building and is an important part of the heritage of our town. Furthermore, we want to see it stay intact and go from strength to strength for as long as it possibly can. This place is the soul of the town and to lose it would be to lose part of our Quaker history and not only dilute our own sense of identity but deny future generations their hometown pride.
Photograph by Peter Giroux
Since the late 1970’s we have had the privilege of stocking candles made relatively locally to us in Alston, by our friend and one of the finest candle makers ever, Ted Thompson. Apart from keeping small shops such as ours stocked, Ted has supplied candles to some more high-profile clients. His candle lit the celebrations on Glastonbury Tor on Millenium night, they have featured in Harry Potter films and they light parts of the famous Globe Theatre.
These are his hand dipped pairs which can be obtained in many gorgeous colours (he also supplies us with a fine range of beeswax candles). The colour runs right through each of his coloured candles. This lovely product looks great and burns beautifully too. The retail price for a pair is £2.80 and they are available on our website.
The title of our book which was published in September 2016 is ‘THE SECRETS OF 24 BLACKWELLGATE’ – the short stories in this book are written by three friends, Rachal (Moonflower) Davidson, Bridget Lowery and Beryl Maughan Hankin. (Price £6.99)
Available from our physical shop, from Amazon and most reputable booksellers to order or direct from us by mail order at https://guruboutique.co.uk/product-category/books-cards-and-stationery/
A little bit about this publication:
The quaint, small but historic building numbered 24 Blackwellgate is central to our stories, as can be gleaned from what follows:
‘The stories in the book tend towards the supernatural, including ghostly goings on, time travel, witchcraft and other spooky stuff.
They also touch upon social issues of the times they are set in, such as attitudes towards family values, same-sex love, relationships, religion, the class system and so on…
They will continue to flow from the author’s imaginations and into print to become a series. The first compilation covers various periods in time up to and including the 19th century. Any subsequent books will deal with different timescales right up to the present day.
Intentions:
This series centres on an attractive little building known as number 24 Blackwellgate, because we think it deserves to be famous simply for having managed to stay standing for so long whilst most of the other buildings around it have been demolished and rebuilt in different styles.
We three hope to expand our tales to take in Darlington in general, as we would love to clothe this beloved town in a mantle of legend, folklore, romance and mystery.
Whether part of the action takes place before number 24 was even built (as in Bridget’s story), in the tunnels below it (as in Rachal’s story), or in the rooms within it (as in Beryl’s stories), this surviving architectural gem of Darlington featured on the book’s cover in a drawing which was kindly gifted to us by the wonderful Paul Magrs, is the original inspiration behind our efforts.
In addition to this volume, the concluding book two in this mini-series has now been published. Full details of which can be found in another post on this blog, or on Guru Boutique’s main website.
