Retail Therapy

IN AN attempt to discover the 'hidden heritage' that may be languishing in your bedroom, the Quilters' Guild would like to see any old examples you have hanging around your house.

Today the Guild is holding a 'Documentation Day' where textile experts will photograph and document old quilts. All types of pre-Sixties quilts are sought - patchwork, applique or wholecloth. You will have to go a long way back to beat the oldest documented piece so far, a quilted coverlet dated 1695. The Guild hopes to learn more about quilts and eventually to compile a book on the subject.

Quilt Documentation Day, from 10am-4pm today at Robinsfield Infants School, Ordnance Hill, St John's Wood, London NW8. For details of Documentation Days in other parts of the country send an sae to: Pamela Cross, 104 Wymering Mansions, London W9 2NE.

READERS who do not own any textiles but are interested in them are invited to a talk on kilims by Jose Luczyc-Wyhowska on Thursday. Mr Luczyc-Whyowska, co- author with Alistair Hull of The Complete Guide to Kilims, published this month, will explain the history and symbolism of these affordable, flatwoven, textiles.

The talk will be on 18 March from 6-7pm (wine at 5.45pm). There will be a new range of kilims to buy to coincide with the talk at Neal Street East, 5 Neal Street, London WC2 (071-240 0135).

FABRIC fans can also get a fix from the Ain't We Got Fun exhibition of Twenties fashion and furnishing materials. The exhibition also shows memorabilia, postcards and sheet music. One of the highlights is an original Twenties knitted swimsuit.

'Ain't We Got Fun' exhibition at the Royal Festival Hall, Foyer Galleries till 18 April. 10am-10pm. Admission free.

PAST TIMES, one of the new generation of mail order firms, is introducing a brochure which concentrates on selling large items for the garden. As the name suggests, it sells reproductions of artefacts from different historical periods. Interesting buys include: 17th-century inspired wrought- iron gazebo, pounds 995. A stylish Hatfield bench made from unvarnished weatherproof teak, pounds 395. Garden tubs based on an 18th- century French design come at a slightly more modest pounds 95. Items from Past Times by Post are not available from their shops. For brochure: 0993 779444.

WITH so many valuable items in the bedroom and garden, it may be worthwhile to invest in some home security. An easy-to-install DIY house alarm comes from Celtel. It claims installation of its wireless security system is genuinely simple and takes under an hour. It includes a base control console, two remote controllers, three door/ window sensors, a passive infra- red movement detector, plus a siren and lamp module. The system can also switch house lights on and off by remote control. The system is called SK800 and costs pounds 225. For further information, telephone 0256 474900.

FOLLOWING the recent apalling attacks on horses, Beta-Thief has told us of another DIY modular alarm for protecting stables. The basic system costs around pounds 50 plus VAT with optional accessories which include strobe lights, extra sirens and sensors. For more details and stockists of the Farm and Country Alarm, contact Beta- Thief on 0525 853888.