9 minute read
WHERE’S WILL
Mary drags Will off for a styling session at newly opened Cromwell’s in Oakham
NOW THAT WILL is a bestselling author we decided it was time we smartened him up. As many of you will know he is usually to be found either in shorts or jeans, the inevitable walking boots, a gilet and, depending on the time of year, a tweed cap. Well this will not do now that he has become a minor celebrity!
Oliver’s moved from Uppingham to Mill Street in Oakham in April 2021 and sold women’s clothes with men’s upstairs. It has done so well that owner David has now split the shops with Cromwell’s, solely for men, opening on the High Street on November 1, run by Matthew. And David and Matthew are just the pair to sort Will out and give him a few tips.
Cromwell’s specialises in casual and casual/smart clothes so David, who came to style Will, was not going to terrify him! ‘We sell relaxed smart clothes and shoes, and accessories too,’ says David. ‘We stock Danish designs which use eco-fabrics where possible. The fabrics are good quality that last and wash and iron well. The clothes are mainly classic designs so not too ‘out there’ but with up to date colours, fabrics and patterns.
‘Matthew and I style quite a few of the men who come into the shop. Men are generally terrible online shoppers buying only what they know and sticking to the same style year after year. Will agreed: ‘there’s no way I can be bothered to return anything so I just buy what I know and is safe.’
Will and I had a quick look around the shop and were pleasantly surprised by the prices, nothing too steep and good value with shirts starting at £35. There was plenty of choice and Will immediately honed in on a terracotta coloured zipped sweater.
David very quickly assessed Will (without either of us noticing) and soon had something for him to try on. The aforementioned terracotta coloured sweater, a patterned shirt that Will said he would never have picked and jog jeans which David says fly out of the shop. I can see why as they are soft with stretch and Will can verify for their comfort. David even got Will in some suede Chelsea boots which he didn’t think would fit him - they did. And he looked great! Still like Will but a more ‘on trend’ one. I could tell that he was comfortable in everything that he had on. David gave him the odd tweak here and there and that was it.
And then for the second outfit. This was slightly smarter with black trousers, patterned grey shirt and a leather jacket. Whilst Will was changing David filled me in a bit about styling.
‘The look at the moment for men is skinny, tight jeans and over-sized tops. But we’re not all 20 and built like whippets, so it’s not a look that suits everyone, or many men to be honest.' Will is broad-chested with shortish legs in relation to his body and is the wrong shape for skinny jeans. I have to admit that it was me who suggested this, with Will shouting down the stairs, ‘I heard that!’
‘If you’re broader, tailored clothing works well,’ says David. ‘A slimmer tailored fit is neater and can look really smart. And broad chests carry off slimmer tailored shirts well. Will’s dark colouring means strong, deeper colours work better on him. He should avoid creams and beiges as they can make him look washed out (particularly in the winter) and never wear stripes, but patterns are fine. Short jackets will suit Will’s build and height. Jackets to mid thigh will make you look shorter. And always wear your shirt tucked in, this gives an illusion of height too.’
And then Will appeared in the next look. I’ve known Will for over 20 years and don’t think I’ve ever seen him wear black. The smart black trousers were an excellent cut and suited him. The leather jacket did too, but wasn’t quite Will (or the one we know anyway). But what was good was for Will to try what David suggested then he could accept or reject what he was given. And what was brilliant is that Will would never have tried some of the clothes David picked for him. The patterned shirt with the terracotta jumper, for example, but he really liked it and appreciated David’s tips and advice.
David obviously knows what he is doing. ‘We are more than happy to make suggestions to our customers and there’s absolutely no pressure to buy. Many of our gents come in a few times to try things on before making a purchase, and that’s fine with us. Thankfully we are finding since the lockdowns people have discovered their high streets again and since re-opening we are getting lots of support which is what all of us retailers need.’
And the final word must go to Will.
‘Like a lot of men I am not keen on clothes shopping online, and I tend to buy exactly the same items over and over again because I don’t dare make a change without seeing, touching and trying a new shirt, for example for size, fit and feel. So to be able to pop into a friendly shop with a well-priced range of smart casual clothing is really important. You can’t beat having somebody with experience and knowledge to steer you in the right direction, particularly if you are looking for something different. If you don’t want to just keep buying the same jeans, shirts and jackets over and again, or you want something a bit special for Friday or Saturday night then you won’t go far wrong here. And it feels good to shop on the actual high street again.’
Oliver’s, Mill Street Oakham. Cromwell’s, 17 High Street Oakham 07426 871859
@cromwellsmenswear_oakham @oliversandcooakham
Walk with Will this Christmas
Volume 1 and 2 of Will’s Walks, 21 rambles around Stamford and Rutland are now available to buy and they make the perfect Christmas present. These really handy walk guides help you pick the perfect spot for a quickish walk or a longer weekend stroll. Available in local bookshops and village shops or online at www.theactivemag.
The Ministry of Sound
Mary experienced her first gong bath, but she didn’t get wet
WHEN I WAS asked to go and try a gong bath I had no idea what it was, having never heard of one. I assumed it was something to do with yoga. I didn’t think any more about it until I did some research a few hours before the class. Lots of lying down by the looks of it; I thought that will suit me on a Friday evening after a busy stressful week.
It’s not quite as simple as that, as I found out when I arrived at the Rosewell Shiatsu Centre in Castle Bytham to meet Sally Warr who was going to be running the gong bath.
‘A gong bath bathes you in an ocean of good vibration,’ said Sally. The vibrations from the gong help you move from your head to your heart. The sounds from the gong aren’t music but, similarly to music therapy, you tune into the sounds. The gongs help you get into a delta state, which is between being asleep and awake, hence it is referred to as gong bath meditation. Your whole body and mind should start to relax. Some people do go to sleep during the process.
‘The bath lasts an hour and like sleep,’ Sally told me, ’it is rejuvenating and regenerating and helps the whole body feel more in balance; this time can help you unravel things. It connects you to what is real and for some people can be life changing. This hour also allows you to do nothing, and we are allowed to do nothing; it’s good for you.’
This was going to be interesting, particularly for an old cynic like me! But first of all I wanted to know how Sally had come across a gong bath. ‘I’ve led an eclectic, rich life with lots of experiences and have travelled a lot,’ she says. ‘I was in Australia and a friend took me to one. I knew immediately that I wanted to learn how to do it so on my return to the UK found somewhere to train.’ Sally also runs a counselling practice.
‘A gong bath should be had once a month at the most,’ says Sally. ‘It is quite a treat but you do feel quite knocked out afterwards.’
There were eight of us in the class. Everybody arrived carrying mats, pillows, blankets and eye masks. I’d arrived early so had been able to inspect the gongs which were impressive. They were set up in the middle of the room with other instruments placed around the room. We all settled down, wrapped in blankets, the lights were turned off and Sally started playing. First of all there were bell-like sounds, then a smaller gong and then, as the class progressed Sally started on the large gongs.
I have to be honest, it was a strange sensation. For the first half of the class I do feel that I completely relaxed and was halfway between sleep and consciousness. The sound from the gongs was very atmospheric and initially I found them soothing. About half way through, when a couple of the class were snoring away, (which I found quite distracting) I became very aware of the vibrations from the gong passing through my body. It wasn’t unpleasant but it was quite unsettling and very intense. How those ladies were snoring was beyond me as I was not finding it relaxing! (this is quite normal apparently on the first time). We then had a period of complete silence (apart from the snoring) and then Sally started playing the bell-like instruments to start bringing us all round.
I did feel quite odd afterwards, initially; light headed and spaced out; what exactly had happened? There were two of us who had never experienced a gong bath before and we both wondered if we were fit to drive. The others were all booking themselves in for a month later whilst I was quite shell shocked.
On the drive back along deserted country lanes the moon was out shining on the wet road. I did feel something had shifted. I was taking more notice of my surroundings. I do feel that the vibrations from the gongs had certainly re-set something and I felt quite calm and relaxed. And I had a really good night’s sleep as Sally said I would; and that’s something I rarely get.
As one attendee said: ‘It’s a unique experience and very intense.’ I would agree.
www.gongbathmeditation.co.uk gongbathmeditation@gmail.com
For counselling services www.
