He was a better batsman than his figures suggest," wrote Peter West.Williams's outstanding performance was a 7-55, off 32 overs, in MCC's second innings at Lord's, against an MCC batting order containing Reg Simpson, Jack Robertson, Bill Edrich and Norman Yardley "There was much promise about the varied spin of Williams. At the time he was ranked before two tyro spinners, Alfie Valentine and Sonny Ramadhin The rest, as they say, is history. Ramadhin and Valentine became "those two little pals of mine" in cricket's most famous calypso as they bowled West Indies to their first Test victory and first series win in England. In a team that also contained Frank Worrell, Everton Weekes and Clyde Walcott, it is not surprising that Williams became one of the forgotten men of that touring party, which also included Ken Trestrail, hailed as the "Boy Wonder" before the tour, and Roy Marshall, who was later to win fame with Hampshire.Williams was thus confined to a supporting role. As a young all-rounder, from a family of 10 children, he was bright enough to gain a college education before being chosen, aged 24, for the 1950 tour of England.

THE CRICKETER Monty Williams was nicknamed "Boogles" in his native Barbados, in tribute to the dexterity of his quickish leg breaks and googlies. He was also a good enough right-hand batsman to be classed as an all-rounder but it was as a teacher, diplomat and ambassador that he was able to make a major contribution to his home island and to the West Indies. Some secrets are better left, I suppose.DIRECTORYShopBasement, 4 Brewer Street, London W10171-437 1259Shopgirl thermal vest by Damart - from pounds 29.95.Silas Thinsulate jacket - pounds 95,Shopgirl jewellery by Erickson Beamon - from pounds 10.Vexed Generation3 Berwick Street, London W10171-287 6224Re-opens Saturday 21 November with launch of winter collection.Ninja fleece - pounds 90, Vexed parka - pounds 210, Vexed bag - pounds 70.The Fashion Gallery8 Clarendon Terrace, London W90171-289 8220Elspeth Gibson dress - pounds 250 - pounds 900, Julien MacDonald handbag - pounds 149.50, Betty Jackson sheepskin jacket, pounds 585.Wall1 Denbigh Road, London W110171-243 4623Alpaca slippers - pounds 89, Alpaca socks - pounds 8, Kimono house coat, pounds 269, long tube skirt, pounds 139.The Jacksons5 All Saints Road, London W110171-792 8336Beaded flower kirby grips - from pounds 8, fake fur holdall - pounds 160, cow hide carpet (3m x 3.5m approx) - pounds 2,300, sheepskin hand-bag pounds 117.The Pineal Eye49 Broadwick Street, London W10171-434 2567Mini-Polaroid camera with film - pounds 45, rings by Sarah Harmarnee, Scott Wilson, Sean Leane - pounds 35 - pounds 250, Shelley Fox felted wool jacket - pounds 170.Angela Hale5 The Royal Arcade, Old Bond Street, London W10171-495 1920Small Art Deco frames - from pounds 45, crystal hair slides - pounds 35, rose necklace - from pounds 98.Angela Hale mail order catalogue, 0171-493 6203.The Cross141 Portland Road, London, W110171-727 6760Scented candles - pounds 38, Nicola Tassie handmade pottery - from pounds 18.50, Pashmina shawls - from pounds 187.50.The Cross mail order catalogue (pounds 2.50) from 0171-221 8616.Voyage115 Fulham Road, London, SW30171-823 9581Hand painted silk dress - pounds 1,250, ribbon-edged cardigan - pounds 495.Koh Samui65 Monmouth Street, London WC20171-240 4280Lara Boeing necklace - from pounds 70, Conscious Earthwear boarding coat - pounds 198, Martin Kidman jumper, pounds 120, shoes by Rudolph Menudier, pounds 184.. They also sell mean-looking jewellery, cutting-edge magazines and the newest offering from Polaroid which takes instant pictures.A look at the wall of photos in their polished metal store reveals designer Walter Van Beirendonck of W&LT is a recent customer, as are fashion stylists and models.At the end of my exhausting day I return to the Soho alley-way outside Vexed Generation, the label many believe to be the inspiration for Prada's new sportswear line, and whose designers are as secretive as priests It's closed "They're doing it up luv," a stall-holder told me I call them up, "What are you up to?" I ask "You'll have to wait and see," comes the reply. Their stock in trade is catwalk show-pieces, and the work of young designers including Jessica Ogden, (recycled quilts become jackets), Bruce (edgy, modern tailoring) and Noki, whose customised T-shirts are all the rage.

A spin through the rails reveals Shop is in the process of launching its own label (Shop Girl), designed by Stevie Stewart, formerly of Bodymap. There's also a Shop Girl range of trinkets co-designed with jewellers Erikson Beamon which includes name necklaces (silver pounds 49.95, gold pounds 89.95), and hair-clips. "People come here on a discovery mission," says Brooks, "especially Japanese and Australian tourists, but the core of our customers is London girls."Around the corner from Shop is The Pineal Eye, a new and experimental boutique of mostly unwearable clothes, run by a Japanese duo who simply adore fashion. She's surveying the small boudoir currently packed full of New York party-girl clothes.

Nowhere else (bar NYC) has their unique and fun mixture of labels which include Tocca, Milk Fed by Sophia Coppola (daughter of Francis Ford), and new cult label Silas. Down in Shop (which is sometimes mistaken for a lap-dancing bar), Pippa Brooks, part-owner (with best friend Max Carie), party girl and singer hangs out. I came away thinking "so Julien MacDonald's knitwear can be wearable", while marvelling at the mental mixture of things from Stella Cadente's bright brocade jackets, Clements Ribeiro's colourful pieces, and party dresses by Elspeth Gibson. "We get lots of local celebrities in here, and many women looking for Bar Mitzvah outfits."Back in Soho things are a little more buzzy.

It's owned by ex-City girl Susan Muncey, who is every bit as colourful as her stock. In Maida Vale I discovered the Fashion Gallery, a tiny shop around the corner from a row of local amenities, which sells clothes and art. After ringing the doorbell I was buzzed in, (no fussy door-policy here) to be met by a cacophony of colour. Trinkets, head-pieces, hand-bags, hats and dresses in varying shades from pink to purple to moss green fight for space with neon-bright paintings. There is a waiting list for their best-selling alpaca kimono house coat, and their trousers, tube skirts, shirts and cardigans are undoubtedly the secret ingredient to many a professional woman's (or man's) wardrobe. "We are not cheap," I am assured by Judith, "Last week we had Dustin Hoffman and his wife in." The Wall label is now available at Liberty where early reports suggest it is a hit, meaning that, for now at least, their secret is out.But, there are other secrets that should remain so, simply for their oddness. Their watchwords are proportion, quality and longevity, and the clothes for both sexes have all this, but lack the essential spark that make them ultra-desirable Everything is made from Pima cotton, alpaca or pashmina.