28 July 2023 - STOP PRESS! Tomorrow's Veg Show timing
A helpful subscriber to these Newsbites has mentioned that the published timing for the Veg Show is a bit vague.
It's true, mea culpa. The poster just says: Saturday 29th July 2023, 9.30-12.00 at the Mission Hall.
So, to clarify the running order:
- The poor souls who work their backsides off behind the scenes (more unsung heroes) will be preparing things from the early hours while you sleep
- We would like those of you who are submitting veg, fruit, cakes, jams and other exotica to bring them by 9.30
- For the rest of you, excited by the prospect of viewing the culinary delights and voting for your favourites, queues will be forming early for entry at 10.00
- Counting the votes will start at 11.00, so that's time to sit back and enjoy a cuppa - and watch the Spud-in-a-Tub weigh-in
- Presentations of the magnificent certificates (and a couple of priceless trophies) to the winners will be at 11.45
- And finally, while you trot off home for lunch, we'll be mopping up the tears spilled by the non-winners* - and getting the Mission Hall clean and shiny again
See you there!
J & S
* nobody really loses on a fun day like this!
25 July 2023 - Bake-off coming soon!
Some eager chefs and wannabee Mary Berrys have queried the rules for the cake entries in the Veg Show this Saturday.
Victoria sponges: should only have a jam filling, (any flavour). You may wish to dust the top with sugar but no cream anywhere!
Shame I know but those are the rules!!
Cup cakes: 2-3 decorated cakes, judged on appearance, whereas the Victoria sponges will be judged by taste.
Pickles, jams and marmalade entries will also be tasted.
Each competition entry is 50p up to a maximum of £2, so start baking - and picking those veg...
(J &) S
25 July 2023 - Can you help the helper?
Another unsung hero is rising to the occasion - if he can borrow a metal detector!
As many of you know, Plaisters Lane becomes a river when it rains heavily. The council have been asked several times to look into it, but they are taking their time! So our hero is trying to find the drainage grilles on the east side of the lane, believing there is a gully that is overgrown which should take the rain water from the road.
If anyone has a metal detector they could lend to Keith Johnson of 'Whitestones', Plaisters Lane, the affected residents would be very grateful. And the rest of us who regularly aquaplane down the hill.
Give him a call or text on 07469 622963.
Thanks
J & S
22 July 2023 - Gardening Club?
Following on from the success of the Open Gardens, it has been suggested that a gardening club is started. A newbsite went out a few weeks ago and if anyone else is interested please could they contact Jane Young either by email or text.
email -
text - 07500863194
Thank you
Jane
19 July 2023 - Unsung heroes
We take a lot of things in our village for granted, but behind the scenes are many helpful people. They notice something needs fixing and then just go ahead and fix it. Or do a little bit of gardening maintenance - perhaps they even do every week - without being asked. Or just pick up a bit of litter. And other stuff like mowing the lawn of the Village Green, tending to plants in the various planters, cutting back vegetation, replacing faded signage, mending broken bins or lids, putting a coat of varnish on a bench - and a hundred-and-one other thankless tasks. So this is a public thank you to all those involved to make sure those tasks are no longer thankless. Keep up the good work!
<Round of applause>
J & S
18 July 2023 - Walking on the wild side
Well - a great response to the idea of organising some walks in the woods!
The date of the first one has been pushed out a week to Friday 15th September.
Depending on numbers it will start at 10am (if one large group) or if there are two smaller groups, 10am AND 11am
And then if there's still a demand, further walks can be arranged in the following weeks/months.
If you've already given your name to Jon Waterman then just pencil in Sept 15th.
Jon will be in contact with you nearer the date (which is still two months away!) to confirm times.
If you might fancy joining a tour of the woods but haven't contacted him yet, then please do so: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
By the way, it won't be possible to bring dogs so don't plan on combining it with your pooch's exercise routine.
J & S
16 July 2023 - A walk on the wild side?
It's been requested that some little local explorations be organised. These would be into the wild woods up The Millennium Walk, beyond Veterans' Wood, where there is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The woods are almost wild (but there are boardwalks) and they are really enchanting! There'll not be anything strenuous! Members of the Biodiversity Group would lead the walks, so they can explain their work up there, and it would suit them best if it could be on a Friday morning.
The first could be on Friday 8th September at 10.00.
If you would like to join this or any such walk, please drop a quick email to Jon Waterman This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to register your interest (no commitment). Also state if Friday morning is ok for you, or if another day / time would be better. He will come back to us with some proposals - watch this space for the next announcement!
J & S
16 July 2023 - Looking for an empty space to work-from-home (garage perhaps?)
WOW - two Newsbites in one day - you lucky lot.
I bet you didn't know that one of our village residents is an acclaimed food and drink photographer? It's great to encourage home-grown talent so please read on to see if you can help.
She has been working from home but now finds that she needs a larger space for setting out her shots. The business is not yet at the stage where she can afford to rent commercial premises, so she wonders if any resident in the village has an unused garage that she could rent. It's only needed for a couple of hours during the day, a few days per week and there is no noise or disturbance.
Just Reply to this Newsbite and we'll pass on any proposals,
Many thanks
J & S