There’s a story that the Duchess of Windsor once had a cushion with words that read: If you are bored with shopping, you are in the wrong shop. With this thought in mind, please step inside my own favourite shop – Entertaining Elephants 0f Church Stretton in the Shropshire Hills.
For the past two years this lovely little emporium of quality foodstuffs, grocery essentials and ethically made gifts and clothing has been run by Jo Bickerton. And before I go much further, I should declare an interest: Jo is my sister. Here she is in her domain. You can be sure of a warm welcome if ever you visit. I also doubt you will leave the shop without buying something wonderful.
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Just now there is an array of Christmas speciality foods, but you can also buy your basic groceries too: free range eggs, Wenlock Edge bacon, Pimhill organic porridge oats. As far as possible, all produce is organic, ethically sourced and fairly traded. Customers with food sensitivities are also catered for. Artisan foods, such as bread, soups and cheeses, are produced locally. The same goes for many of the craft items and artwork. Jo’s guiding principles are that whatever she sells must be well made and life-enhancing.
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Upstairs there are more Christmas treats, and also Jo’s latest addition – a range of organic cotton and bamboo clothing.
The classically simple tunics, tops, and leggings can be dressed up with stunning recycled sari wraps and scarves, Turtle Doves lovely wrist warmers made from repurposed cashmere knitwear, and necklaces strung from Kazuri beads made in Kenya.
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And in case you are wondering where the name Entertaining Elephants comes from, it was chosen by the shop’s previous owners, from Maurice Sendak’s lovely picture book Alligators All Around An Alphabet.
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E is for Entertaining Elephants – every day, not just for Christmas. It’s worth coming to Shropshire just to visit.
Contact: The Old Barn . 43 High Street . Church Stretton . SY6 6BX
http://www.entertaining-elephants.co.uk
#shoplocally
copyright 2014 Tish Farrell
That’s a good one from the Duchess! “If you are bored with shopping, you are in the wrong shop” And Entertaining Elephant looks warm.
Hi, Folakemi, yes, I love that shopping quote. And yes too, Entertaining Elephants has a lovely warm atmosphere.
I know the building Tish – and it looks a wonderful interior. I shall be sure to visit next time I’m in Stretton. x
Excellent, Rebecca. I’m sure you will not be disappointed.
indeed, your sister has a wonderful shop!
Thank you, Frizz.
“T” for TISH! (P.S.: “Tisch” means in German “table” – you are a table covered with wonderful stories!)
I love places like this. They rank in my top ten shops along with bookstores, record shops and hardware stores.
Remind me of Days of Yore when we shopped in the High Street.
Are those veggies from your allotment?
Oh, and the family resemblance is obvious. 🙂
Yes, a real shop, Ark. And no not my veggies. Nice idea though. I could despatch Graham to work across Wenlock Edge, deliveries in hand. Hm. Food (as they say) for thought.
I’m def not a shopper but I reckon even I could find something in there to buy. Food if nothing else. And I am a bit short on clothes too …
Oh yes, Kate. I’m sure you’d find something nice to eat in there.
Aladdin’s Cave! Looks wonderful
Fabulous. I’m booking a flight from Crete now!
I think if Jo had the chance she’d be coming the other way too 🙂
Striking photos.
Thank you.
I am not a natural shopper….but this is a shop I would definitely enjoy visiting….might even mean a special journey one of these days. I saw the resemblance immediately….Thank you:)
Great shop and a lovely quote!
Hello Dina. I think the Book Fayries would have some fun in Entertaining Elephants…
Looks fantastic – especially now we don’t need to count calories anymore, just eat as much as you like of the good stuff (at least I think that was the gist of the message 🙂 ).
Well last year we did rather tuck into Jo’s lavender flavoured 75% dark chocolate, halva and medjool dates, and I can report that this had a very bad effect on the waistline. Back to the oats only…
Wow! That’s EXACTLY my kind of a shop! I’d love to visit one day, but I’d need to bring an extra suitcase 🙂
You definitely would, Tiny 🙂
Wonderful, yes I’d be very happy there, of course I’d be persuading her to sell my craft work though!
Well, Gilly, Jo always like to see interesting work 🙂
Beautiful…sister, shop, contents, photos and yes, you, too. 🙂 Wish I could go there in person, but thanks for the virtual trip.
janet
You’re welcome, Janet.
Oh my, what an exciting shop your sister has. 😀
Yes, it’s a one-stop shop – all requirements covered 🙂
How delightful. 🙂
So lovely Tish!
Thanks, Bill
I’d have to take a sleeping bag and camp out overnight in your sister’s shop. So many wonderful things. Great post and lovely photos 🙂
And she might provide you with one of her lovely parachute silk hammocks, slung from the ancient beams. They come in gorgeous tropical colours. 🙂
Ooh! Sounds better all the time. 🙂