Photograph courtesy of Jude Montague

Two Bazaar Characters – Tony and Andy

King’s Road Bazaar is run by a collective of stall-holders, each with their own pitch in the spacious shop, selling vintage, antique and other items. Jude Montague talks to two of the characters who together give the Bazaar its special quality.

Tony has a particular interest in guitars and musical equipment. Andrew has a background in machine making, product design and is an astrophysicist enthusiast. He likes to source optical tools and astronomical. Both Tony and Andrew enjoy fixing up watches and other timekeeping instruments.

The two carry out some limited upcycling of vintage goods but they both urged caution in tampering with good quality stuff. If a product is effective and usable it is a good idea to restore it so it can be used for the purpose for which it was intended – if possible!

I asked Andy a few questions about astronomy.

What is your favourite constellation? Orion, which you see all through the Winter. It’s like a picture in the sky. And there’s so much to know about it.

Where would you go to see the stars well in Hastings? Head a little out of town into the countryside where there is less light pollution. It’s quite good for heavenly viewing.

If someone is wanting to start out in astronomy and wants to buy a telescope what would you advise? There is a lot of equipment at the lower end of the market that’s not very good and if someone buys a poor item it can be very frustrating. The antique equipment is usually good quality but the main thing is not to make a purchase that will put the user off their chosen interest.

I asked Tony about his interest in music.

What are your main musical interests? They were forged in the sixties. I followed the guitar heroes who were popular in Britain such as Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton. (Andy jokes that Tony is called the Santana of St Leonards).

What musical equipment do you rate? I’m always drawn to the wonderful amplifiers and related electrical guitar gear that was made in Britain by such makers as Charlie Watkins, creator of the Watkins Electric Music Company – branded WEM. People love guitars and perhaps they are the main item on show in my pitch. But I’m always interested in all kinds of unique and quirky instruments especially if they are well made. They spark my curiosity.

I asked Tony and Andy how they would describe the Bazaar where they work and they came up with The Last of the Summer Wine but indoors!  If you have seen the good humoured TV show it might give you an idea of the friendly camaraderie at play in the store.

If you are down the King’s Road, St Leonards pop in and have a browse and perhaps be entertained by some of the humorous and generous people who work there as well as finding something intriguing to take home.

Kings Road Bazaar is at 10–11 Kings Rd,
Saint Leonards-on-Sea
TN37 6EA

Also in: Hastings People