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.

The Chiefess of our tribe…

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.

The rest of the tribe…

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).

To say we Gurus need a regular music fix is an understatement and so in this part of our blog, we will occasionally feature some of the (not for profit) gigs, which for various reasons we organise and promote ourselves.  One unforgettable example of this is the occasion advertised in the image below…

L to R: Imelda May. Ian Siegal. Norman Beaker. (These favourite musicians of ours were all accompanied by their exceptionally talented bandmates too). #happyoccasion