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CHRISTMAS FAIRS - IF YOU ARE CLOSE BY, COME AND SEE US...
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Boutique de Noel
www.jll.org.uk/bdn
12th November 6.00pm – 10.00pm & 13th November 10.00am – 5.00pm
Kensington Town Hall, London W8 7NX
Hexton Manor - A day of Wine and Luxury Shopping in Aid of Combat Stress
Friday 14th November, 10am—4pm
Hexton Manor and The Bothy, Hexton, Hitchin, Herts. SG5 3JH
Chelsea Physic Garden Christmas Fair
www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk
Saturday 29th November 10am - 4pm and Sunday 30th November 10am - 4pm
Chelsea Physic Garden, 66 Royal Hospital Road, London SW3 4HS
The Eltisley Dining Pub
Monday 1st December 6.30pm
2 The Green, Eltisley, Cambridgeshire PE19 6TG
Kimbolton Castle Christmas Fair
Sunday 7th December 10.30pm – 4.00pm
Kimbolton Castle, Kimbolton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE28 0EA
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AND THE WINNER IS....
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Congratulations to Stephen W from Pangbourne, who wins a Jaques Budleigh croquet set! We had many, many suggestions emailed to us - Chatsworth, Roche Court, Burghley to name but a few, but the location of our featured croquet lawn is Holdenby House in Northamptonshire. This is a beautiful 16th-century manor house with 20-acres of stunning gardens where one of David Shilling's intriguing steel sculptures adorns the south side of the croquet lawn, reflecting the game in play, at unusual angles. The Northamptonshire Food Show will be held at Holdenby on the 30th/31st August. An annual celebration of everything that is good to eat from across the region and beyond as well as an abundance of arts, crafts and gift stalls from which to sample and buy.
For more details www.holdenby.com
Thank you to all of you who sent your entries in and once again, congratulations to Stephen – we'll be shipping to you shortly.
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WIN A JAQUES BUDLEIGH CROQUET SET!
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There are croquet clubs and lawns up and down the country in all sorts of surprising places. To win this Jaques set, simply
identify the lawn where Billy Ruffian is playing; we will accept Lat and Long, grid reference or simply the name of the location!
Answers by email to [email protected] with your name, address and a contact number please.
Closing date is 2nd July when the winner will be drawn from all the correct entries.
Terms and conditions apply.
By entering this prize draw you are agreeing that Billy Ruffian Shoes may contact you, but you can unsubscribe at any time
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CLASSIC BOAT MAGAZINE HAS DISCOVERED OUR LEANDER BOAT SHOE!
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The editor of Classic Boat Magazine was so impressed with its comfort, performance and great look, that it has been included it in their recommendations for classic yachting gear; 'they mould to your feet so that you barely know that they're on'. Our sentiments entirely!
Click to read the full article here |
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COMPETITION WINNERS
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Congratulations to the winners of our boat shoe competition – Peter from Unstone received a pair of Swiftsure Boat Shoes in a delicious Fudge oil tanned leather and Dianne from Glossop was the winner of two pairs of brightly striped socks! Another competition with Jaques is just around the corner but before we spill the details, we thought we would catch up with Joe Jaques and find out just what makes him tick. Annabel went along to Jaques of London HQ to find out…
Where is your favourite place to play Croquet?
On my father’s Croquet lawn. Let’s just say that it’s the place of a lot of unfinished business! |
If you could play Croquet against 5 other people (from any era/ country/ famous /not famous), who would they be?
- Lewis Carroll, because he helped define the quirkiness that Croquet is associated with today.
- Jeremy Piven (but only when in character as Mr Selfridge), because he is charismatic and clearly competitive.
- Winston Churchill, because he too was an avid Croquet player and had his own Croquet lawn at Chartwell – his family home in Kent. I'd love to know if he was incredible or terrible at the grand game.
- Boris Johnson, because a touch of eccentricity is always needed when playing Croquet.
- Evie Jaques (my daughter), because she is so small that the above gentlemen would let her win. It would leave her with bragging rites for life!
What is your favourite Jaques of London product, and why?
Tiddledy Winks. I love seeing the surprise on people's faces when they see how competitive this simple game is.
Any upcoming news for 2014/2015?
Where to begin?! For the second year running, we have teamed up with Ham House & Gardens – a stunning National Trust property
found on the banks of the River Thames in Richmond. There will be croquet lessons, Jaques of London's outdoor games,
food stalls, picnic hampers, a garden trail, a tombola, facepainting, storytelling, and much more. We all know how
quickly summer holidays get booked up, so do add 28th & 29th June and 26 & 27 July to your diary for two fun-filled family weekends.
On 1 July we will be at Coworth Park for some quintessentially-British fun. I'll be sharing some stories behind Jaques
of London's inventions (from Croquet and Ping Pong, to Tiddledy-Winks and Snakes & Ladders), one or two quirky facts
about the company and a few anecdotes from the Jaques family (past and present). The following week, on 7 July,
we'll have raced back to the capital to host the relaunch of Original Ping Pong at Bounce, London.
Where would you wear your Billy Ruffian boat shoes?
As a boy, I used to always sail at the Dartmouth Regatta. I would love to find the time to do that again and would of course ensure I'm decked out with a new pair of Billy Ruffians.
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BOG TROTTERS' ?
In times of yore the Gaels of Scotland had a problem. Whenever they encountered a bog-and there were many to
encounter-their shoes, or brogues, filled with water! Being a practical lot they soon came up with the idea of
punching drainaige holes in to the leather. With time these became decorative and the ‘brogue’ as we know it was born.
The Billy Ruffian Trafalgar brogue is a superb rendition of the marque- classic, timeless and just so comfortable.
Worn with chino’s and Ruffian striped socks they are the perfect ‘classic casual’ for all
occasions and expeditions- but please, no bogs!
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HAPPY NEW YEAR… AND WE HOPE THAT YOU HAVE ALL SURVIVED THE DELUGE WITH DRY FEET!
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Which is more than can be said for a Billy Ruffian boat shoe, which starts life with a jolly good soaking. How so I hear you ask? Well, the secret is in the traditional hand sewing process which we use for all our shoes. This can only be done by first soaking or ‘mulling’ the leather in warm water to make it soft and pliable. It is then wrapped around the last, tacked in place (look for the small hole near the heel) and then sewn. As the leather dries it shrinks down to the last and assumes the perfect boat shoe shape that is classic and just so comfortable.
So, prepare for calm seas and the adventures that lie ahead with a pair of our stunning, durable and classic boat shoes.
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HAVE YOU EVER STOPPED TO CONSIDER JUST HOW AMAZING LEATHER IS?
Versatile, sustainable, tactile, durable, soft, biodegradable, tough and beautiful. It's no wonder that it has been tanned and crafted by humans since the first caveman huddled under an animal skin for warmth.
From armour to boats, from bagpipes to boots, leather has been the 'go to' material for just about every reason- and here at Billy Ruffian we continue that tradition in all of our products which in their own way celebrate the simple and enduring beauty of leather.
For Christmas, we have introduced some fabulous and colourful iphone and ipad covers as perfect stocking fillers along with some stunning wallets and purses- all made from our signature vegetable tanned Buffalo calf skin leather that with use will assume a rich and endearing patina of great beauty.
Continuing the theme of colour, our multistripe cotton socks also add that splash of fun to the drab winter months especially when worn as odd socks with our suede loafers and brogues.
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MESSING ABOUT IN BOAT SHOES
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"Landing the Catch – Legs belong to Rory"
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From the moment Billy Ruffian set sail, we have been wanting to develop our own boat shoe -
but as with all things Ruffian, it had to be just so. A classic two eyelet pattern, American
oil tanned leather, mulled (soaked in water to soften) and hand sewn around the last, a razor
cut non marking, non slip rubber sole and latigo leather laces. Well this summer the prototype
Leander boat shoe was launched and after extensive sea trials we can report that it is quite
simply all that we wanted. Classic, unbelievably comfortable and just so durable, so much so
that we couldn't wait until spring to launch them! So here they are… where are you going in yours!
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BILLY RUFFIAN IN ST LUCIA
As more and more Billy Ruffians are shipped around the world and we are receiving many photographs
from some wonderful places. Our latest photograph comes all the way from the Beausejour Cricket
Ground - Gros Islet, St Lucia where the Jamaica Tallawahs beat the St Lucia Zouks in the new Caribbean
Premier League Twenty20. Legs belong to Pete.
Remember, for every photograph that goes onto the website, we send out a free pair of Billy Ruffian socks
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A PERFECT ANTIDOTE TO THE TRIPLE DIP...
Despite the cold, the harbingers of spring are in the air. Snowdrops, daffodils, mad March hares and new Billy Ruffian
multistripe socks in four striking combinations – Peacock, Dandy, Raconteur
and Pantaloon. Made in England, 80% cotton, 100% fabulous and a perfect antidote
to the triple dip!
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BILLY RUFFIAN IN KERALA
Following last months' newsletter offering free socks and shoes
to the first Billy Ruffian customer to visit the last two continents,
we have received a photograph from David on holiday in Kerala, claiming socks for the conquest of a
subcontinent...very weak but we've sent him a pair of odd socks
for his chutzpah. Antartica, South America are still unconquered – will you be going there in yours?
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TWO CONTINENTS TO GO...
2012 saw Billy Ruffians visit five continents and more than twenty
countries, quite a tally for our first year of expeditions. But
that still leaves two to go...and to encourage the intrepid we are
giving away an extra pair of socks for the first Ruffian to conquer
South America and a pair of shoes for the first to Antarctica!
Please keep your expedition reports and photos coming in – we love
to hear where you've been and remember there's a free pair of socks
for every photo we put up on the website
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CHRISTMAS COUNT DOWN...
The run up to Christmas sees Billy Ruffian heading out and about –
we'll be supporting the St Andrews White Tie Ball and the Welly Ball
raising money for Farm Africa (look out for our cool wristbands). You'll
also be able to find us at Anstey Hall on 21st November (11am – 4pm)
in aid of the NSPCC and at the Inner Temple on the 29th November (12 noon – 8pm),
where we'll have the full range on view along with this years'
essential stocking filler – Billy's odd socks!
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HOW DOES A SHOE GET ITS SHAPE?
At Ruffian HQ we get asked many questions and this one made us reflect
upon what a truly remarkable material leather is. When the skins of
leather arrive at the workshop they are flat. After first being cut
and then sewn into an 'upper' the beginnings of the shoe can be seen.
However it's only when it's lasted that the miracle happens. After
steaming it to make it soft and pliable the upper is pulled and moulded
over a foot shaped wooden last.
As it cools, the leather sets into its new shape and a Billy Ruffian is
born....breathable, durable and beautiful.
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ADDITIONAL SIZES
From the moment Billy Ruffian set sail, there have been many requests for
smaller mens and ladies sizes. Perhaps we were thinking a bit too much
about the taller ones amongst us!
So, it gives us great pleasure to announce the arrival of additional smaller sizes –
ladies are now available from size 4 to 11 and mens from size 7 to 13!
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SMUGGLERS COVE, DEVON
Far from the madding crowd. A Ruffian spotted making the most of a
break in the clouds off Smugglers Cove near Dartmouth. Meanwhile,
back at Ruffian HQ we've been hanging out the bunting – or more exactly
some fabulous new socks for our autumn collection. Until then,
salad days and summer expeditions, where are you going in yours?
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BILLY RUFFIAN HAS A SPRING IN HIS STEP - AND IS OFF TO HERTFORDSHIRE
For one day only, Billy Ruffian will be appearing at The Bothy Spring Fair,
Hexton Manor on Friday 18th May. Come and try a pair of Ruffians, stock up
on socks, and have a look at our new purses and wallets. You can find Billy
from 10am-3pm at The Bothy at Hexton Manor, Hexton, Nr Hitchin, Herts SG5 3JH.
The Bothy accepts cheques not credit cards. Entrance is £2.50. We
look forward to seeing you there!
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DARN GOOD NEWS
Light under a bushel…or more exactly odd socks in a box. Did you
know that with every pair of Ruffian shoes, comes a pair of socks
– odd of course. And not just any socks. Ruffian socks are made in
England and are 80% cotton and just go on and on with rarely a
hole to be seen. Thankfully, your darning days are over
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BILLY RUFFIAN GOES TO VARSITY
The Cambridge Modern Pentathlon Club prepares for the Varsity match and
Billy Ruffian has rallied round. A Ruffian Loafer lined with the
Cambridge Blue, complete with odd socks of course, is now a prized part
of their team kit. Modelled here by the men of Cambridge,
ready for each of the five disciplines of swimming,
running, fencing, riding and shooting. May the best men win!
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ANOTHER FINE BLOW FOR CAMBRIDGE
Well, we've heard from many of you since the launch, but this photograph of Hannah
tops the polls. Wearing Hamilton Boots, she warms up for the Varsity fencing
match and goes on to strike another blow for Cambridge. We'll be sending her
a pair of socks – odd of course. Don't forget to let us know where you go
in yours and if we put your story on the website, we´ll send you a pair of socks too!
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DURHAM UNIVERSITY CALEDONIAN SOCIETY REELING BALL
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Let us know where
you go in your Ruffians
and if we put your story on this page, we'll send you a pair of socks - odd of course!
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Tweets by @BillyRuffian1
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