The Diamond Jubilee is fast approaching and we will soon be marking 60 years of The Queen’s reign. Communities around the country will be celebrating with street parties throughout an extended weekend from the 2^nd until the 5^th of June. We have created a colourful collection of tableware and accessories to help you celebrate in style.

Cupcake Thrones

‘My favourite piece from our partyware range, these quirky throne cupcake holders are so much fun and will create a wonderful display on your Jubilee party table.  Adorned with delicious cupcakes, you’ll have tea fit for the Queen!’

Jubilee Coronation Crowns

‘We’re dressing up our tables, so why not spruce your guests up too? Each one of these packs contains 2 novelty crown designs, so you can create your very own Royal family!’

The latest colour trend to hit the catwalks is ‘brilliant blue’ and these 2 crystal pieces from our Art Deco range are the perfect hue. Not only does it look fabulous, blue is said to make us feel calm and serene too, so what better excuse do you need to indulge?

Deco Glamour Blue Crystal Drop Earrings

‘I love these earrings. Inspired by a period of elegance and sophistication, they’re really easy to wear and add a hint of classic, Art Deco glamour to any outfit.’

Deco Glamour Blue Crystal Cluster Bracelet

‘Complete the look with this beautiful matching bracelet. Expect lots of admiring glances when the glass crystals catch the light to create stunning, vivid colours.’

The 50’s and 60’s are hugely influential this season and these clocks are an easy way to update your home with the latest trend. A great finishing touch to any room or a thoughtful and practical gift idea.

Retro Alarm Clock

‘Wake up in style to these retro inspired alarm clocks. Available in 3 gorgeous colours, their classic design is easy to read and, more importantly, to switch off!’

Retro Kitchen Wall Clock

‘A beautifully sleek and simple design, this 50’s inspired clock will add a hint of retro glamour to any kitchen wall. Based on a popular Bakelite original, its classic cream colour will fit effortlessly into any home.’

Bring the outdoors in with these fabulous ‘Grow Your Own’ gift sets. No garden required, these sets provide everything you need to produce an attractive display of your own flowers and herbs indoors.

Grow Your Own Flowers Gift Set

‘I love this colourful and wonderfully fragrant arrangement of pansies, chrysanthemums and sweet peas.
Presented in traditional terracotta pots and wooden caddy, flower lovers will be delighted to watch their beautiful display grow into something spectacular.’

Grow Your Own Basil Kit & Mug

‘Add a wonderful flavour and aroma to your cooking with some fresh, home-grown basil. The perfect gift for food lovers, this retro style enamel mug will look great adorning the kitchen windowsill.’

Spring has sprung! It’s time for out with the old and in with the new and what easier way is there of updating your Spring outfits than adding a splash of colour. Soft sunny hues are the flavour of the moment from peppermint green to candy pink, this seasons hot new colours will be a delicious addition to any wardrobe.

Pink & White Bow Scarf

‘I love this soft pink bows scarf from our SS12 collection.  It’s a perfect cover up for cool Spring evenings or as a light finishing touch to any outfit.’

RHS Sweet Pea Cotton Scarf

‘Our best selling RHS range offers the perfect gift for the keen gardener or botanist in your family. This beautiful Sweet Pea scarf incorporates artwork by Graham Stuart Thomas, a 20th Century horticulturalist and artist, who won an RHS Gold Medal for his drawings and paintings.’

We have hidden 10 Easter eggs around the PT website and we want you to find them. Everyone that submits an entry will recieve a discount code and there are three fantastic main prizes to be won!

Look out for this egg:

The prizes

+ every entry will receive a special discount code on the 5th April 2012

Click here for all your Easter essentials

How to enter:

1) Look around the web site www.pasttimes.com and find as many Easter eggs as you can that have been hidden around the site.

2)Email us at newsletter@pasttimes.com with the locations of the eggs. You will be emailed back with your discount code on the 5th April 2012.

3) We will pick a the winners at random on the 5th of April

Full Ts & Cs will are located on the website
Terms & Conditions

Good Luck!

Afternoon tea and taking tea are big trends for this year, forging the way for nationwide street party celebrations over the Jubilee weekend. Tea making will be an integral part of the celebrations, it is ubiquitously British but also serves as the perfect brew for what will undoubtedly be a great event for all the family.

3-Tier Regency Cake Stand

‘I love this vintage mismatched cake stand. Perfect for every home’s tea time guest of honour from your best friend to your Mother-in-Law! Pile it up with afternoon tea goodies or use to create a sumptuous display of fruit for a healthier option.’

Everything Stops For Tea Framed Print

‘Never has a truer sentiment been uttered! Celebrating our Nations love affair with a good old cup of tea.’

When Great Britain won the bid to stage the 2012 Olympics it was a much-needed boost to the morale of a country in a recession – and a great excuse to celebrate the very best of Britain.

So when British teddy bear manufacturer Merrythought was asked to make a commemorative bear for the Olympics and Paralympics it was absolutely delighted that a British-made bear would become a symbol for such an important event. The traditional jointed mohair bears with a choice of pink, blue or green detailing will be produced in a limited edition of only 2012 and are expected to be released in May of this year.

History of Merrythought Bears

The very first Merrythought bear – the Magnet bear – was made in 1930. The founders of Merrythought – Mr Holmes and Mr Laxton – initially had a spinning mill in Yorkshire, specialising in mohair, but in 1930 they moved to Coalbrookdale in Yorkshire and with the help of leading personnel from two other British bear manufacturers, J.K. Farnell and Chad Valley, started to make their own traditional bears. The Merrythought name, taken from the 17th century word for wishbone, a symbol of luck, was registered the same year, and the wishbone is a feature on every new bear’s tag.

Today, over 80 years after the first Merrythought teddy bear came out of the Coalbrookdale factory, teddies are still being made there using the same high quality materials and techniques. Each jointed mohair bear is lovingly handmade and individually hand finished, giving every one its very own special character.

Value of Merrythought Bears

It is no surprise that because of the love that goes into making Merrythought bears they are so highly sought-after today. Early examples command a premium amongst collectors, but new Merrythought bears are just as desirable, their appealing faces and excellent quality making them a first choice gift for newborns, as well as a favourite bear for children and adults alike. Any Merrythought bear given as a gift will become a treasured friend that will stay with its owner throughout their life and hopefully be passed down from generation to generation.

Nearly everyone we talk to has a story about a Merrythought bear to tell. Rosie, our web buyer, still has the bear she was given at the age of two when her baby sister was born. It may be a little worn around the edges now, but still sports the hand-knitted scarf she made for it all those years ago!

Here at Past Times, we just adore Merrythought bears, which is why we have asked Merrythought to make us our own commemorative bear to celebrate our 25th birthday this year! It’s early days yet, and the bear is still being developed, but we can’t wait to see it and share it with you, our customers, so please do watch this space for an update.

We know that there are hundreds of teddy bear stories to be told, not just ones about Merrythought, and it would be great if some of you would like to share these stories with us. We would love to hear them!