Marlow Bridge Re-opens in Time For Christmas Shopping

Marlow Bridge re-opened on 25th November after closure to traffic during a two month structural assessment. 

On 24th September, a 37 tonne lorry managed to force its way over the Bridge, which has a 3 tonne limit. The cost of the five week inspection, testing and reporting will be covered by the insurers of the Lithuanian haulage company, Girteka.  

You may have seen the story reported on the BBC News.

Mary Berry Turns on Marlow's Xmas Lights

The traffic free Bridge was a joy to experience - but we're glad to have our shoppers back in town!

See our Spoof of the Nordic Noir Drama "The Bridge".

BBC Berkshire 

BCBerkshire

MAPLE LEAF MANIA

Canadian Brands Rule in the Winter Outerwear Sector this year.  The Canada Goose Parka is as hot in London as it is in New York!  Our best selling brand this Winter.

Hotly tipped to be the next "must have" brand is Nobis Canada. We are proud to report that Turners has exclusivity in the UK for Nobis Women's Coats  These have more of an Urban look than the Goose and are also coated in a waterproof membrane.

Founded in 1962 in Canada Sorel Winter Boots are warm to -25 degrees.  Warm Dry Feet Guaranteed.

Why are these brands performing so well?  Canada is Cold! Enough Said.

Freddy Steady Go

We are thoroughly enjoying our walks with our 5 month old Lakeland Terrier puppy Freddy Rumbles Turner.  Apart from the benefits of river walks twice a day, we have met so many lovely dog owners.

Walking in all weathers is even enjoyable. Hooray for Hunter Wellie Boots, Hunter Boot Jack, Hunter Boot Bag and Hunter Wellie Socks!

Sugar-Sugar! Brighton Based Sugarhill Boutique New In!

Inspired by a brother & sister team's love of travel, Sugarhill Boutique was founded in 2005.

Pawel and Aleksandra Przedpelska (pictured below) have developed a quirky style that references the natural world.  They particularly love Asia and this Season's beautiful bird and elephant prints reflect their love of Balinese Culture.

A mix of Vintage, natural, fashionable & ethnic  - love it!

SINGING IN THE RAIN?

What a miserable day!  Until I watched a clip of Gene Kelly Singing & Dancing in The Rain.

"Do-be-do-do - Do-do-do-be-do-do-do.."

When I get my new Hunter Bubble Umbrella, put on my Cornflower Blue Hunter Wellies and my new 

North Face Rain Coat and dance in puddles - Weather Woman Carole - can say whatever she likes!

(Lynda T.)

I'm singing in the rain, just singing in the rain

What a glorious feelin', I'm happy again

I'm laughing at clouds, so dark up above

The sun's in my heart and I'm ready for love.

Let the stormy clouds chase everyone from the place

Come on with the rain, I've a smile on my face

I walk down the lane, with a happy refrain

Just singin' , singin' in the rain!

ARE YOU READY FOR LETS ROCK THE MOOR?

Let’s Rock The Moor! will be returning for its 5th year this Saturday May 18th, with an action packed day of live music at this Boutique, Family Friendly, 80s Festival.

Set in our picturesque village of Cookham in Berkshire, this event has plenty to do for everyone! This year sees a new 2nd stage – The Paddock Stage – introducing local bands, children’s entertainers from BBC/ITV, a much bigger Circus, children’s rides (including Bumper Boats and Dodgems), a new 80s themed children’s play area, competitions and the usual fantastic selection of World Food caterers and multiple bars.

Up to now The Festival has been blessed with good weather.  Hopefully the Sun will shine but just in case we are offering a 10% discount on our Hunter Festival Wellies. 

Lets Rock The Moor is unique in that all of its profits are given by Cookham organisers Nick Billinghurst and Mike Clarke to worthy local charities such as The Link Foundation and The Wooden Spoon Charity.  It is now the second biggest 80s festival in the country. A truly great family day.  See you there!

ITS LOVE ALL! WOMENS TENNIS CLOTHING BY LIJA

We have been searching  for a tennis brand with the WOW! factor for some time.  Queue Lija (a Canadian play on the word leisure) - fusing fashion with sport.  The colour palette is gorgeous, the soft and stretchy fabrics feel amazing and the styling is  - very Stylish.

The Lija Women’s Tennis clothing collection  was launched in Vancouver in 2009 by Canadian Linda Hipp.   With a reputation as one of the hottest designers in athletic fashion, Linda's designs feature some of the most advanced technical materials and unique fabrications.  

Fabrics are Breathable, Eco-friendly, Moisture wicking, odor resistant, quick drying, seam sealed and super soft stretch.

Look out for Marlow’s Tennis Coach and founder of Tennis Angels Kate Borthwick who has been sponsored by Lija, to see how good the tennis range looks.  (Photos to appear on our Turners Marlow Facebook Site in the next few weeks.)

RUNNING UP THAT HILL? STRIDERSEDGE WILL INSPIRE YOU

New Spring/Summer 13 Range now in from the fabulously tactile & technical running brand StridersEdge. Founded by the lovely Katy Bidulph pictured below - sports enthusiast, outdoor lover & former designer for Sweaty Betty.

The fabrics are designed for premium performance and unusually have a lovely soft handle that can cross over from running to gym and hiking.  I love wearing this brand.  The fabrics are wonderfully soft and comfortable and pieces have functional handy key pockets.  Designed by a women runner for women runners. I guarantee you will be hooked!

Beautiful and stylish Women's running tops, Women's running pants and Women's running jackets.

Om Shanti - New Yoga/Pilates Clothing from Asquith London

We are pleased to announce that we have just taken on a new Yoga/Pilates Brand at Turners Marlow.  Asquith London is a stylish and ethically sourced British Yoga/Pilates Clothing Brand.  Designed by Alice Asquith for the healthy active woman who cares about the environment.  The fabrics are exquisitely soft, and the styles are designed to be layered for a variety of stylish different looks.

Alice uses the softest organic jersey fabrics that will not shrink, fade, bobble or stretch:

• Organic Cotton farmed without pesticides or chemicals,  
• Bamboo - naturally antibacterial and exquisitely soft 
• Tencel extracted from recycled wood pulp and perfect for sensitive skin.

Plus the clothing is ethically manufactured in two small factories in India and Portugal where the employees received good pay in comfortable and safe working conditions.

One of my favourite pieces is the Yoga Scarf pictured above.  This also doubles as a Meditation pashmina and Savasana Blanket. I love it!

Namaste.

STUTTERHEIM RAINCOATS - SWEDISH MELANCHOLY AT ITS DRIEST!

Alexander Stutterheim's ambition is to make the only Raincoat you will ever need!  The unisex Arholme is hand crafted in Sweden, comes in five matt colours and with the provenance of the name of its Seamstress on the label.  “Swedish melancholy at its driest” is the company motto and Turners Marlow is one of the few stockists in the UK.

The design is from a Swedish Fisherman’s coat worn by the Grandfather of Alexander Stutterheim and generations of Swedish Fishermen.  “I wanted to produce a state-of-the-art raincoat. No Gore-Tex. No Velcro. No reflectors. Handmade.” It is sleek, discreet and understatedly stylish.  A Scandinavian classic it is has fully taped seams and is waterproof and windproof.   Great in stormy weather but also looks good enough for the City commute.   (Read Alexander Stutterheim's wonderful story of how he discovers his Grandfather's old Raincoat.)

Turners has been searching for a sleek stylish raincoat for some time and is delighted to become a UK Stutterheim Stockist.  Take a look at the Stutterheim Facebook page with images of Stutterheim Raincoat owners saying why they feel melancholy in the rain. 

There is also a really cool Stutterheim Rain App that tells you  if you are going to need a raincoat in the next few hours.  The Arholme retails at £435.  Remember it should last you a lifetime! (This week Kate Moss and Jamie Ince have been spotted in London wearing theirs.)

BELLISIMO, COLMAR SKI WEAR FOR WOMEN

Our new range of Colmar Ski Wear for Women has arrived!  Exclusive to Turners Marlow in the UK, the Colmar Ski Jackets & Colmar Ski Pants are sporty, glamorous, luxurious and technical.

The Ski Jackets are waterproofed up to 20,000mm and pants up to 18,000mm. This Season we also have a Colmar Ski Pant with 4 way stretch and a gorgeous dog-tooth Checked Ski Pant. Very Sixties!

For those wanting to look different from the UK Crowd.  Stiloso! Tecnico! Bellisimo!  We love it!

Barts Winter Hats - What's New from the Mad Hatter?

We love the new Barts Hats & Accessories Collection so much we have bought over 40 different styles! There are great new variations of the Trapper Hat in cord, a new Kamizu style, a new Inka hat with faux fur lining, as well as the Barts signature woollen Beanies and gorgeous deluxe faux fur Bombers. With lovely warm Kids Hats & Mittens Barts is a great brand for the whole family.

The Barts Company was launched by the enigmatic Dutch entrepreneur Bart Koene.  He began selling beach shorts he had run up on his sewing machine on the Beach at St. Tropez.  He lived in a caravan and drove an old Deux Chevaux.  In 1992 the Barts brand was launched which focused on handmade winter accessories.

We have met Bart several times and his entrepreneurial spirit is inspiring.  It is no surprise the Barts Winter Accessories Brand is now truly international.  Barts' mantra is " Do things right or don't do them at all." and that fun and freedom are equally as important as hard work. "Stick to what you believe in, even when its not easy."

The design team travel the world looking for new ideas and fabrics to add to the collection.  Almost as good as the days of a caravan on the beach in St. Tropez!

Run Lola Run! But in Technical Fabrics PLease!

When looking for Running Clothing the right type of fabric is essential. At Turners we stock technical  running clothing for Women and Men that looks good too.  From Striders Edge to The North Face and Casall.  A good sports bra, sweat wicking fabrics, and a light running jacket or running gilet will give you the comfort to run with confidence.

Five years ago who would have thought Cycle Club riders would be wearing Tour de France style technical clothing? The same revolution is about to happen in Running Clubs.  No more old cotton tees and joggers that leave you wet, sweaty chafed and cold.

Go for technical fabrics like DryFit, RapiDry, RapiTech, Coolmax and silk that wick away sweat and keep your body dry.  Our Striders Edge Running Tops are even climate mapped.   Designed to manage perspiration transportation more effectively in high sweat areas - an additional comfort factor.

Try out the technical fabrics - you will love the difference!

(Run Lola Run is one of David & Lynda's favourite films.  A German crime thriller about a woman that has 20 minutes to find 100,00 German Marks to save her boyfriend's life.  It is non-stop action with Lola constantly running. The theme deals with time and fate with three different endings to mark how one small change can change your life.)

Colmar Ski Jacket in Action!

It is always a great feeling when we get positive feedback from customers.  We have had some great comments about our Colmar Ski Jackets and Ski Pants: from "stand out style", to "extremely warm and breathable" to "absolutely  luxurious".

It was especially good to receive a photo of our Entrant Colmar Womens Ski Jacket and Stretch Colmar Ski Pant in action on the Austrian slopes.

Doesn't Shona look fab!

David thank you very much for your prompt service for both of my deliveries. Your shop looks amazing and I hope your business goes from strength to strength. I will recommend your customer service and excellent product range to my friends and associates. Please let me know what's left in the Colmar range at the end of the season and of course next seasons stock. I have had my eye on Colmar wear ever since I went skiing in La Thuile 5 years ago and I never thought I would actually own some one day! Kind regards. Shona Williams

Icebreaker Thermals - BaaCode Bonkers!

It looks like the Cold Weather may be with us this weekend and we believe the Icebreaker Merino Wool Base Layers are the best out there.  BaaCode Bonkers? Each Icebreaker Base Layer even has a unique BaaCode that can be traced back to  its original sheep farm.  See the wonderful Ray Anderson at Branch Creek Station:

Why wear Icebreaker Merino?  The Icebreaker Merino Sheep  live in the Southern Alps of New Zealand where their fleece has adapted to the extreme weather.  The wool is breathable in summer, highly insulating in winter, yet exceptionally soft and lightweight. It is also easy to care for and unlike some synthetic base layers does not retain odour!  Now that makes the Apres Beers on the run home more civilised!

It's perfect for skiers, runners, hikers, cyclists, mountain bikers and a host of other athletes or simply to keep you warm in extreme weather.  Take a look at the Icebreaker Website for more interesting facts.  Or take a look at Turners Icebreaker styles.

Happy Chinese New Year of the Water Dragon

Hail mighty Dragon! Your arrival is most welcome.

We celebrated Chinese New Year with dear friends and a delicious Chinese Takeaway from the Peking Inn.  If you are free this weekend the Celebrations in London Sunday the 29th January are wonderful. 

The Dragon is the major symbol of good fortune in Chinese Astrology and brings in the Four Blessings of the East: wealth, virtue, harmony and longevity. Of the 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac the Dragon is the most special as it is a mystical being rather than an earthly animal (the last time the Water Dragon made an appearance was in 1952).

Since 1996 the year element has been in a destructive relationship with the fixed element of the animal sign. The year 2012 is blessed not only by the lucky Dragon but also the end of that destructive cycle.

Furthermore, it is a Yang year. Yang Water is like a flowing river rather than a stagnant lake. Things will move, ideas flow, creativity abound, economies boom, and love blossom in this environment.  The Dragon is a reminder everyone has dreams, and that the time to pursue them is now. The Dragon gives you the best chance to make it come true!

In our family, David is a Dragon, Lynda a Dog and Imogen a Ram.  Should be David's year! (Now where's that Euro millions ticket?...)

Fresh Snow! Its Dumping Powder! Its Winter Heaven!

We were kept on our toes. But the Alpine snow came in time for Christmas and in January we now have Powder Heaven.

I want to be there!

To share belly laughs, fun and adventures with good friends. To feel the sun on my face and the bite of the pure air. To enjoy the peace of that off-the-beaten track run and taste the warming glu-vine of the log cabin lunch. To watch our kids amazing progress.......(Sorry! I could go on and on..)

The ski season is under way at Turners and I can't help feel a pang of jealousy when I hear a customer mention Obergurgl, Courcheval, Zermatt, Courmayer. Its always interesting to find out where people are going and to hear about favourite resorts bars and restaurants.

We have some great ski wear this season. The Mens Triclimate Jackets are proving very popular. These can be worn together for extreme cold, or as a shell or light down jacket for Spring skiing. We have the Triclimate North Face Ski Jacket with red accents or the Revelstoke Spyder Ski Jacket with lime Green Down inner jacket and matching lime green pants. The look for Men this season is very much about the loud pant.

For Women we have our luxurious retro look Colmar Ski Jackets exclusive to Turners Marlow in the UK, the glamourous Adama Womens Napapijri Ski Jacket, Spyder Womens Ski Jackets and The North Face Womens Amore Down Ski Jackets.

Team these with our Merino Wool Icebreaker thermals and extra warm ski gloves.

To complete the look we have the iconic and really useful Napapijri Equator holdalls. We also have The North Face Base Camp Duffel Bags in various sizes.

Now, what was the name of that Chalet in Austria, that might have some space Half Term?.....

On the Sixth Day of Christmas My True Love Sent to Me, Six Geese A-Laying...

"How many more days Mum?" "Only Six More!" "SIX More?!" If only time went so slowly for adults in the final pre-Christmas week.

But Christmas Holidays are here, the Christmas Tree looks beautiful and Imi is enjoying wrapping the presents. We're hoping we will hear Rudolph's bells again and that Santa will enjoy his glass of wine and remember to give the Reindeer all their carrots.

David and I had our first and earliest ever Buying Appointment for Winter 12 today for Canada Goose Jackets. To add to our collection next year we have bought some great new styles. A lovely Mens Gilet and Chilliwack Bomber Jacket will join our mens Canada Goose Expedition Parka and Chateau Parka. For Women we are adding the quilted Solaris and shorter Montebello jackets to our popular Canada Goose Kensington and Trillium Parka styles.

We are looking forward to a busy final week, then quality Family Time and that First glass of Champagne Christmas Morning. .....Three French Hens, Two Turtle Doves and a Partridge in a Pear Tree......

TOY TO FLY?

Can it really be only two weeks to Christmas?

Well the magic has begun for Imogen in the Turner house. As soon as we come downstairs in the morning the Advent Calendar is opened and a chocolate lined up beside the cereal bowl. The Advent Candle is lit and the Christmas post excitedly opened and displayed. Two weeks to go still seems a very long time for an eight year old.

Luckily for me, in the busy build up, I have the luxury of Christmas shopping from the Shop. Its Superdry & Rampant Sporting for the teenagers: lounge pants, Tee shirts, Polos, Hats, Wallets, earmuffs. ..

Another Xmas favourite is ToyWatch. The new ToyWatch Mesh & Black ToyWatch Toy to Fly are great new additions. Plus the Sparkly Toy Watch Total Stones in Grey Pink & Purple are ideal as Dressing Up Watches for a touch of festive bling. (Subtle Hint David!)

NAPAPIJRI - NORDIC NOSTALGIA

Nordic style knitwear has made a spectacular comeback this year after years in fashion wilderness.

Our Chunky Retro Napapijri Knitwear evokes memories of early ski trips, with lovely bold Nordic patterns in luxury wool mixes. Mix these snowflake designs with a pair of jeans and a chunky Sorel Joan of Artic Boot for a great on trend look.

We also have a brilliant range of Nordic inspired accessories ideal as stocking fillers. From Trapper Style Barts Hats, and Slouchy Barts Slipper Socks, to Fleece Hunter Welly Liners, to Superdry Slipper Socks & Chunky Double Zip Superdry knitwear.

Yes, its Nordic Nostalgia time: Ski Chalets, Log Fires, Gluvine, Reindeer........