Happy Easter - The Lydden Vale News - April 2020 - Buckland Newton Pulham Knapps Hill Duntish Cosmore Henley
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The Lydden Vale News
~ Buckland Newton ~ Pulham ~ Knapps Hill ~ Duntish ~ Cosmore ~ Henley ~
~ Holnest ~ Bookham ~ Brockhampton ~ Cerne Abbas (surgery) ~
Happy Easter
April 2020
April's 'Quick' Calendar (additional information and events on following pages)
Feel free to add your own reminders - dentist, birthdays, vet, etc!!!
Mon, Tue & Fri POST OFFICE 9am-12 noon Buckland Newton Village Hall
Tuesdays Sit Down Exercise Class 2pm Buckland Newton Village Hall Sarah Mitchell
Tuesdays Takeaway Tuesdays Gaggle of Geese Simon/Sarah
Wednesdays Fit Moves 6.30-7.30pm Pulham Village Hall Sarah Mitchell
Saturdays Gaggle Waggle Run/Walk 10am Gaggle of Geese Simon/Sarah
Contact Details for above: Sarah Mitchell 01258 817288 Simon/Sarah 01300 345249
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
1 2 3 4 5
April Fools’ Day Pulham Palm Sunday
DUE TO COVID-19, (or Gowk’s Day) Coffee Morning
PLEASE CHECK (page 5)
WITH ORGANISERS
FOR EVENTS THAT
ARE STILL LISTED
AT TIME OF GOING
TO PRESS
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
2nd Friday Maunday Good Friday Glanvilles Woot’n Easter Sunday
Lunch Thursday Bank Holiday Community ---------------------
Club at the --------------------- Breakfast & Walk
Rose & Crown 2nd Friday Lunch (page 4)
(page 5) Club - see
--------------------- Wednesday 8th
Supermoon ---------------------
(page 31) Cerne Surgery
Closed
Full Moon
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Easter Monday Pulham 5pm 9.30am
Bank Holiday T and Chat Copy Deadline for Family Service
-------------------- Group May LVN and Activities
Cerne Surgery (page 4) Holy Rood, BN
Closed ---------------------
BN Parish Council
Meeting
(page 29)
Last Qtr
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
Queen Lydden Vale St George’s Day 10.30am Buckland Newton
Elizabeth II’s Garden Club Village Café Spring Plant Sale
Birthday “Greenhouse BN Village Hall (page 5)
(21 April 1926) Gardening” (page 5)
(page 5) ---------------------
Glanvilles Woot’n
Quiz and Supper
(page 4)
New Moon
27 28 29 30
7pm May Eve
Pulham Parish (St. Walpurga’s
Meeting Night)
(page 5) (page 10)
---------------------
5pm
Fish & Chip Van
(page 4)
First Qtr
2
The Bit at the Beginning … Lydden Vale News Team
… unfortunately, the evolving situation regarding the coronavirus
COVID-19 has sadly resulted in the cancellation/postponement of Editor
numerous events, including the much anticipated VE Day Street Carole Barnett
Party. However, the health and welfare of the community comes lyddenvalley@gmail.com
first and those events “still on” at the time of going to press, might
change. It is best to contact the respective organisers directly. Treasurer
Jeremy has kindly forwarded some information regarding COVID- Pending
19, received through Neighbourhood Watch, and Public Health All enquiries via
Dorset has also sent information (pages 22 & 23). If you have to lyddenvaleadverts@gmail.com
self-isolate and need assistance, please contact any member of
Advertising Manager
the Buckland Newton Parish Council, (details on page 29) who
will put you in touch with the relevant voluntary groups in the village - contact Pending
details for The Old Chapel Stores (already taking orders and arranging deliveries/ lyddenvaleadverts@gmail.com
collections) are also included.
Reports/Articles/Interviews
But, we must also try to stay positive and cheerful, especially with Easter Eggs lyddenvalley@gmail.com
on the horizon!!! And not all things involve crowds … for those of you into
Astronomy, or who just love the sight of the full Moon rising, this month’s full Distribution
Moon (8 April) is the best super Moon this year (page 31). Fingers (and all other Brian Oldroyd
extruding appendages!) crossed for a cloudless evening in the garden on the 8th! 01300 345535
In addition to all the ‘Info-y’ and ‘Eggy’ bits in this month’s issue, we have news
(page 13) of a Teddy Bear Sleepover in Holy Rood Church (COVID-19 Distributors
Pauline Adams
permitting!). I told my ‘agèd chaps’ about it but they all said they are too old,
Nicki Barber
except Katie Koala (who claims she has too many bald patches in her fur to go
out!) and Tigger, who is actually a cheetah - because he only speaks Swahili and Tony Belt
Damian Brothers
will not be able to engage in ‘pillow talk’ with all the English speaking bears!
Jane Collins
With putting things in, taking things out, then changing things around, this issue Jeremy Collins
has been a challenge (to the 11th hour!) but, hopefully, there are enough Rose Dennison
interesting and/or fun things to immerse yourselves in - after all, ‘We are British’ Lesley Docksey
and, ergo, must try to keep things ‘upbeat’ amidst all the cancellations and Bridget Fairlie
information regarding ‘COVID-19’! Michelle Foot
Wishing you all a very Happy Eastertide, Eostre, et cetera! (and if anyone is Jenny Jesty
‘stock piling’, remember to also stock pile Easter Eggs - as many as you want Thomas King
because, if you are self-isolating, who is going to know how many you eat? !!!). Fizz Lewis
Stay Safe. Carole, LVN Editor Trevor Marpole
David Morris
John Marjoram
Dick Sealy
Helen Simpson
Publication Deadline: Jane West
The deadline for submissions is 5pm on the 18th of each month
Text, Photographs, Community Messages, Enquiries, etc. to Carole at: Spare copies available from
The Old Chapel Stores
Email: lyddenvalley@gmail.com
In person: ‘Desk Corner’ upstairs at the shop or The Old Chapel Stores
By ‘Stick’: ‘Desk Corner’ to download it straight onto my computer! (Wed-Sat)
Advertising to: Adverts to be sent in Word
Email: lyddenvaleadverts@gmail.com or jpeg formats please. The Buckland Newton
Advertising fees (wef 1 April 2018) (PDF is not compatible!) Community Website
12 Months www.bucklandnewton.com
SIZE 1 Month 3 Months 12 Months
Colour
Your local website for up-to-date
⅛ Page £15:50 £28:50 £63:50 £80:00 news, events, clubs, groups,
directories for businesses and
¼ Page* £28:50 £57:00 £97:00 £122:00
services - and information about the
½ Page £57:00 £110:00 £139:00 £173.50 village and its surroundings
(and the online version of the LVN!)
Full Page £69:00 £166:00 £278:50 £349.00 ------------------------------
The opinions implied or expressed in this
* ¼ Page Portrait - unless full width of page, in which case Landscape newsletter are not necessarily those of the
news team nor the publisher. Although every
effort is made to ensure accuracy neither the
The LVN is a great place to advertise covering a broad and diverse area, news team nor the publisher accept liability
whether you have a colour or mono advert! for errors or omissions. Neither the news
team nor the publisher accepts responsibility
Kindly mention the Lydden Vale News when responding to advertisements for any of the services or events advertised
within the newsletter herein. No responsibility can be accepted for
unsolicited manuscripts or imagery.
This Month’s Front Cover Credit: Richard Duijustee The editor reserves the right to modify
contributions. Printed by Sarum Graphics
3
News and events from the Gaggle of Geese
Given the impact the COVID-19 virus is having, and the recent
announcements made by the government, it is difficult to predict what the
next few weeks and months mean for the Gaggle.
So, certainly for now and at the time of writing (mid March), we are
choosing to keep the Gaggle open and operating. We will be reviewing this
strategy on a week by week basis. Facebook and our website are the best
place to be kept updated on any changes.
Our staff team already work very hard at keeping the pub clean. We will asking them to do even more whilst we
remain open and will be taking extra measures to ensure the welfare of our team and those that visit us.
We have had lots of messages of support and from those asking how they can best help us through this tricky time. It
is also important to us that as the only pub in the village, we continue to use the Gaggle as a resource to support the
community around us. So ways you can help us or that we can help you include....
Visit the pub – if you are feeling well then we would love to see you for a drink, bite to eat and a natter.
Order a takeaway – we have introduced a takeaway option from the pub or even delivered to your door! This
proved to be popular and is a way that we can support the isolated and hungry! Our takeaway menu is
available on our website www.gaggleofgeese.co.uk or from the village shop . 01300 345249
Buy a Gift Card / Voucher – even if we have to close the pub at the behest of the government or in the short
term, we will be open again in the future and are looking forward to BBQs, pizzas, juicing apples and a
splendid summer in the garden. Buy now ... have a drink or meal in the summer!
Leave a tip for the staff – it wouldn’t be the Gaggle without our team. All tips go exclusively to them. Please
help to show how much we collectively appreciate them.
Look forward to seeing you all soon
Much love, positive thoughts and best wishes
Simon & Sarah
It would be great if you could join us at the Village Café - Buckland Newton
24th Community Breakfast No Village Café
Easter Saturday 11 April
at the hall Glanvilles Wootton (DT9 5QF), 9-10.30am It is with regret we are suspending the
Breakfast £5 under 10’s free with the purchase of a Village Cafe, Buckland Newton, March,
full price breakfast
~with optional free~ April and maybe May. Fizz Lewis 345521
Countryside Walk!
8.30am from the hall car park
Approx: 1- 1½ hours – maybe some stiles
stout footwear advised
Raffle
Easter Trail
For more information on 01963 210562 at Minterne Gardens
* A Community Event organised by Holnest Church * Hunt for … Easter Bunnies, Easter Eggs
Follow the clues before heading back to the café for a
chocolate prize
Quiz and Supper Easter Trail £1 for Children; Garden Entry £6 for Adults
?? Evening ?? Feast on … Cream Teas & Hot Cross Buns in
the Café on the Terrace overlooking the lake;
7.30pm Friday 24 April Hot and Cold Lunches
Monday 6 April till Sunday 19 April - Daily 10am to 6pm
@ the hall Glanvilles Wootton, DT9 5QF
Minterne Magna, Dorset DT2 7AU
--ooOOoo--
Book a table for around 8 persons or book individually Pulham T & Chat Group
and we will find you some team mates.
Tickets bookable in advance @ £9 per person. Our group meet on the second Tuesday of each month,
Call 01963 210562 now to be sure of a place. alternating tea in someone's home, by invitation, and
~~~ lunch at The Halsey Arms.
Please bring your own drink and glasses If you are interested in joining us,
*** Proceeds to Holnest Church Funds *** or for more information,
Please contact: Rita on 01258 472494.
4
Buckland Newton Primary School is
closed until further notice
Please see their website
www.bucklandnewton.dorset.sch.uk
Sharon: 01258 817528/Sarah: 01258 817288
Due to the evolving situation with the Coronavirus COVID-19, all events still listed (at time
of going to press) are subject to possible cancellation and/or postponement.
The respective organisers of these events will be able to keep you up-to-date.
Buckland Newton NOTICE
VE Day Street Party, 8th May PULHAM PARISH MEETING
Cancellation PULHAM VILLAGE HALL
In the best interest of our community, we have decided to
TUESDAY 28TH April 2020
cancel the proposed VE Day Street Party of Friday 8th REFRESHMENTS FROM 7.00 PM
May 2020. We hope to reinstate it at some future point MEETING STARTS 7.30 PM
but for now, take care, keep well and continue to support Come for tea and coffee. We shall then be discussing
each other as we always have done. current relevant issues relating to the village. Please
Alan Simmons attend if possible as there are many things going on that
have an impact on our community.
Church Services You will be able to hear updates on local issues that are
of concern to our village and you will also have the
Unfortunately the Archbishop has suspended all opportunity to address any concerns you have to our
Church Services/Public Worship until further local councillor Pauline Batstone, who is also currently
notice. Chairman of Dorset Council.
Churches will remain open for Should you have any issues that you want considered for
the agenda as Any Other Business please contact the
private prayer and reflection. Clerk to the Meeting;
Jon and Wendy Mark Pritchard
by no later than Thursday 23rd April 2020
telephone 01258 817642 or
e.mail Pritchard.pulham@gmail.com
Lydden Vale Gardening Club
Wednesday 22nd April 2020 7.30 p.m.
Buckland Newton Village Hall
VE Day in Holy Rood Mike Burks of Castle Gardens –
‘Greenhouse Gardening’
Our Church remains open Mike Burks, MD of the Gardens Group, will be giving his
annual talk which is always entertaining and informative.
for all, at all times All welcome – visitors £3
Amanda (345367) amandat62@outlook.com
So, from Friday 8th May the Holy Rood Flower Team
will be presenting a collection of memorabilia, Second Friday Lunch Club
memories, photographs etc On a beautiful sunny, though chilly, day the Lunch Club
and of course, floral tributes to celebrate this day. held our regular meeting (Friday 13th March) at the
Village Hall. None of us was put off by the coronavirus,
If you have anything which you feel might add we just "kept calm and carried on". Thanks to our cooks,
to our displays, the meal was enjoyed wholeheartedly, and thanks also
please contact Carol Grant on 345 119 to our band of helpers.
However, in view of recent government
recommendations, we have now cancelled our visit to
THE FISH AND CHIP VAN will be at the the Rose & Crown on 8th April. Do hope we will be back
Old Bus Shelter opposite Buckland Newton School to normal soon
on the 28th from 5pm, with last orders at 7pm Susan 345760
5
TEDDY BEAR
SLEEP-OVER
in
Holy Rood Church
16 May 2020
Curious? ….. more on page 13 !!!
Wishing you all a
PESTWRIGHT Very Happy Easter
Traditional Mole Catcher (or Eostre et cetera!)
Rats, Mice, Squirrels etc
With best wishes from the
BPCA qualified and insured
Lydden Vale News
Call Jim on 01963 362292
or 07854 395112 MESSAGE FROM
www.pestwright.co.uk THE DEFIB COMMITTEE
We’d like to thank all of you who took the time to
respond to the post, ‘Is there a need for a Second
Friday Morning Defib in Buckland Newton?’ which appeared on the
Buckland Newton Community Facebook Page on
CLEANER REQUIRED March 1st. There was a 50:50 split for and against the
idea of having a second defibrillator in the village
for Holiday Cottages at from the 8 replies.
Buckland Newton The committee feels that this does not give us the
mandate to commit the village to raise funds to buy,
maintain and eventually replace a second defib. So,
Tel Nicola on 01300345511 or we’d like to give you all the opportunity to let us know
what you think by the end of August 2020, in time for
07900966748 our next meeting.
e.mail: nicolafoot@outlook.com If you have not already told us your views, please
send any comments to our secretary at
--------------------------------------------------- froglewis@hotmail.com or on 01300345521.
TO LET – 1 and 2 bed Annual Training Day
This was held in the village Hall on Saturday 29th
properties in Buckland Newton February and 18 people attended, including two
children. We had the chance to look at the defib and
We have bought the Offices at listen to the instructions as well as to practice CPR
on the dummy.
Stevens Walk and are converting
There is no need to know anything about how to use
them into two houses. We would the defib in an emergency because, on opening, it
prefer to let them to local people. speaks to you and guides you through each stage,
but it is always a good thing to hear it again in the
If you are interested please contact relaxed setting of a training session.
Andy or Nicola Foot for details. Just a reminder - the Defib is always ready to use
and is in the UNLOCKED blue cupboard on the
Tel: 01300 345511 or 0797 777 3994 right of the kitchen door at the village hall.
E.mail: andy.foot1@btinternet.com Jane Willis, Defib Committee
6
NEWS FROM CERNE ABBAS SURGERY
CORONAVIRUS With the weather getting (slightly) warmer and the
If you have to self-isolate and need evenings lighter, it must mean that the run of Spring
assistance, please telephone any member of Public Holidays are heading our way. Please note that
we will be closed on the following dates:
the Buckland Newton Parish Council, (details
on page 29) who will put you in touch with Friday 10th April (Good Friday)
the relevant voluntary groups in the village. Monday 13th April (Easter Monday)
The Old Chapel Stores in Buckland Newton and in May on
will take telephone orders for collection and/ Friday 8th May (May Day/VE Day)
or arrange delivery. Tel: 01300 345 336 Monday 25th May (Spring holiday)
For out of hours care or advice during closures,
We are all here to help you please call 111. In the case of an emergency call 999.
Gillian Brindle, Practice Manager
(additional news from the Surgery on page 30)
LYDDEN VALE NEWS VACANCIES
The roles of Hn. Treasurer and Advertising Wessex Morris Men
Manager have recently become available E
Energetic and enjoyable practice sessions
Anyone interested in committing to, say, a Every Monday, 8 - 10pm
couple of hours a month (often less!), please Pulham Village Hall
email: (opposite The Halsey Arms)
Diana via lyddenvaleadverts@gmail.com Then over the road to the Halsey Arms for
or Carole via lyddenvalley@gmail.com drinks, music and a fun night!
RARE BEETLE IN DORSET
Do you know your
There are reports that the Lesser Yellow Beetle
three word location code?
(Scarabaeus falsus) has recently been identified in
Dorset. It is recognised by, obviously, its yellow The world has been divided into grids of 3m x 3m
colouring - in a stripe running down its spine. They squares and each one has a unique three word
are about an inch long (as adults) and are very address made up of a random group of words.
elusive - and quick to run at the slightest disturbance.
They are exceedingly rare so if you see one, please
tread carefully! When you phone 999 in an emergency, as well as
Miss April Fool giving your address and postcode you can give your
three word location code as a backup. This could
make it easier and quicker for the emergency
DORCHESTER PRISON services to find exactly where you are – an
important fact for us living in our rural setting
In response to enquiries following the article by Iain
with few or no road names.
Ferguson regarding the removal of the remains of
prisoners at Dorchester Prison (March LVN), no
excavations have been made for two and a half years To find your code go to:
and plans to do so are still pending. The Editor, LVN www.what3words.com
click on Explore Map and put in Buckland Newton
or your postcode
EASTER OPENING HOURS then navigate the map until the square is on your
home.
THE OLD CHAPEL STORES
BUCKLAND NEWTON Help is at hand to find your code if you do not
10 April - 8am to 12 Noon Good Friday have internet access - just ring:
11 April - 7am to 6pm (normal) Fizz 345 521 Sandie 345135 Jane 345 477
12 April - 8am to 12 Noon Easter Sunday
13 April - 8am to 12 Noon Easter Monday If you live near a person whom you know doesn’t
Please note that there will be no prescriptions have access to the internet you might go and see if
delivered on Good Friday they’d like help finding their code.
We wish you all a Very Happy Easter!
The what3words app gives the exact position of a
smart phone. This could be really useful in an
ALLOTMENTS emergency away from home, perhaps on a walk in
the middle of a field.
Available in Buckland Newton from £20
Jane Willis
Contact: John Simpson 01300 345401
7
JASPERS PATRICK NEEDHAM
NCH & ND in Arboriculture
HAIR SALON Tree Surgery, Woodland Management
01300 348 569 Hedge Trimming
Chipping Service
Main Street, Piddletrenthide, DT2 7QL
N.P.T.C. Qualified (chainsaw & spraying use)
www.jasperssalon.moonfruit.com
Fully Insured
A modern Salon providing a friendly
and professional service
TEL: 07899 924545 or 01300 348745
OPENING TIMES
Monday:
Tuesday:
Closed
9.00am-4.00pm
Bartletts Carpets
Wednesday: 9.00am-6.00pm Carpet and vinyl fitting specialists
Thursday: 9.00am-5.00pm
supply and fit or fit only.
Friday: 9.00am-7.00pm
Home selection service available.
Saturday: 8.30am-1.30pm
We offer a whipping service, make your off cuts
into mats.
Don’t forget to ask about our
loyalty cards and special offers Office - 01963 365724
Mob - 07968845623
8
1940 – Major S.W.T. Bentall, MB, RAMC
Sydney W T Bentall was born in Wrington, Somerset on 28 February 1903 and
married Eleanor Jane of Congresbury on 17 June 1933. They had two children,
Jennifer (now Pearson of Buckland Newton) in 1935, and Phillip in 1937.
Sydney was a doctor and moved his family to Kent after joining a GP surgery in
the village of Rolvenden. With the outbreak of WWII, the practice was soon
asked for one of the resident doctors to join the Royal Army Medical Corps and
Sydney dutifully volunteered. In 1940 he was posted to a hospital at Bathurst
(now called Banjul) in The Gambia, home to a number of military hospitals in
WWII, and was on the staff of the 40th British General Hospital when he was
granted his first ‘leave’ in 1942. Highly respected and considered the epitome of
‘an officer and a gentlemen’ by those who knew and worked with him, Major
Bentall was given passage on the SS Président Doumer for his return home - a
former French passenger ship that had become a troop transport with cargoes
sailing under the British flag – where he joined other military passengers,
including many servicemen of the Free French Navy.
His ship was one of five departing The Gambia to join thirty
seven other vessels in Convoy SL-125, which had left
Freetown, Sierra Leone, on 16 October 1942. These 42
merchantmen, with their escorts, then continued sailing
north unaware that a wolfpack of ten U-boats, Operation
Streitaxt, had gathered to intercept them – until, that is, the
attacks began on 26 October (with the last being on the
31st). The worst night was that of the 30/31 October, in
stormy conditions, when several of the merchantmen were
lost; including Sydney’s vessel.
At 21:29 hours the Président Doumer was torpedoed and
sunk by U-604 (NE of Madeira at 35° 08'N, 16° 44'W) in very
bad weather. Of the survivors struggling in the heavy seas,
some were picked up by an escort corvette, HMS Cowslip,
and others by another merchantman, the Norwegian Alaska
who, during the extremely difficult rescue operation, was
herself torpedoed and damaged (by U-510). On 1
November, [Großadmiral] Dönitz called off the wolfpack,
diverting them to a north Atlantic convoy (by which time they
had sunk 12 of the merchant/troop ships, and damaged 7
others).
The survivors from the Président Doumer (78 crew members
and 7 gunners) were landed at Gibraltar by HMS Cowslip,
Major Bentall with his children Jennifer and Phillip. and at Lisbon by Alaska where, despite her damage, she
Rolvenden, Kent 1940 eventually berthed on 11 November. Of the Président
Doumer‘s compliment of 345, The Master, 173 crew
and the SS Président Doumer
members, 23 Gunners and all of the 63 servicemen were
lost on that stormy, fateful night - including, sadly, Major
Sydney William Temple Bentall, MB, of the RAMC. Soon
after receiving news of his loss, Eleanor and the children
returned to her family in the West Country.
He is remembered not only by his family but also on
memorials at Rolvenden in Kent, Wrington in Somerset, the
CWGC Memorial at Brookswood, Surrey (Panel 18, Col. 1)
and in The Winscombe & Sandford Memorial Book,
Somerset. In addition to these memorials, Major Bentall’s
details have recently been added to the records held by
‘uboats.net’.
Courtesy of Jennie Pearson
Photographs: Jennifer Pearson (family album);
Credit to Philippe Ramona (SS Président Doumer)
Editorial research includes thanks to Gudmundur Helgason and the international team at ‘uboats.net’
Buckland Newton Can’t get to the surgery, shop, hospital, friend?
Then ring our number.
No journey too short!
To join the scheme, or book a car journey with us, please ring 07733 849264.
9
30 April - St Walpurga’s Night (also known as St Walpurgis Night)
The origins of May Eve and May Day are from ancient celebrations of fertility rites and the coming of spring, mainly
known as ‘Beltane’ in the UK. With advancing Christianisation, these ancient festivities were incorporated into the
commemorations for the legend of St. Walpurga (or Walburga, Wealdburg, Walpurgis).
Walpurga was born in Devon c.710AD to a noble family and was the daughter of Saint Richard the Pilgrim, an
under-king of the West Saxons, and Saint Wuna of Wessex. She had two brothers, Saint Willibald and Saint
Winibald, who left with their father in 721 on a pilgrimage to Rome. Walpurga, then 11 years old, was brought to
Dorset and entrusted to the care of the Abbess of Wimborne Abbey, where she remained for the next twenty-six
years, being educated to a high standard and later becoming a nun. In 741 she joined her brothers in Francia (now
Württemberg and Franconia) to help her uncle, Saint Boniface, in missionary work, becoming a nun at the
monastery of Heidenheim am Hahnenkamm - established by Willibald. She succeeded him on his death in 751
(becoming Abbess) and then took the additional role of Superintendent following the death of her other brother,
Winibald, in 760.
Walpurga died on 25 February 777 (or 779 - records conflict for the exact year). She was buried at Heidenheim but
in c.870 her remains were removed to Eichstätt – and it is this relocation of her ‘relics’, occurring on 1 May (and of
her being canonized on 1 May c.870 by Pope Adrian II), that resulted in her ‘feast day’, and commemoration on
that day; celebrations for which would begin each year on the evening (often continuing through the night) of 30
April!
Editor
May Day and Maypoles!
I know! We are in April, so please consider this a piece about the “31st of April” !!!
Celebrations for May Day were well established by the era of the Roman Republic (BC) and often lasted days,
sometimes weeks! Beltane was a long-standing tradition for this time of year in Scotland and England, and this was
just one of numerous such festivals throughout Europe. Although May Day has no Christian significance (hence the
reason for these festivities being periodically banned!), celebrations commencing on the night of 30 April for St
Walpurgis Night (see page 23) and continuing into May Day (from the C8th and C9th) helped to suppress ‘pagan’
nuances in many religious circles.
Festivities now tend to occur on the Spring Bank Holiday (created in 1978),
being the first Monday in May, whatever the date is! (although this year,
the Bank Holiday has been moved to coincide with the 75th VE Day
commemorations!). And 1 May is also the day when the Act of Union is
remembered (albeit not by all!) - when Scotland and England were united
to become ‘Great Britain’ (1 May 1707). But the best regarded traditions of
all the activities on ‘May Day’ are the crowning of the May Queen and of
dancing around a Maypole.
By the C14th, this custom of dancing around Maypoles on the first day of
May was fully established, particularly in our southern counties and its
popularity increased annually – only being interrupted by politics and
religion! In numerous towns and villages, Maypoles were permanent
fixtures but, in the C16th, rising Protestantism considered Maypoles and all
May Day festivities as pagan and, during the reign of King Edward VI and
the Reformation, many Maypoles were cut down. Under his successor,
Queen Mary I, Maypoles were re-introduced but in the following years, in
some areas they stayed banned, in others they were allowed - depending
on what local governors/noblemen would allow. Of course, during the
years of Cromwell’s ‘Party-Pooping’ Commonwealth, like Christmas, May
Day and Maypoles were completely taboo because they were "a
Heathenish vanity, generally abused to superstition and wickedness."
Unfortunately for the Puritans, the Maypole consequently became a
symbol of resistance to their strict rulings and in many areas they were
quickly erected for May Day, despite the risks of imprisonment!
C16th Century Maypole Dancing
Upon the crowning of King Charles II (and the Restoration), May Day and
Maypoles (like Christmas!) were reinstated and the old traditions were fully, and very happily, revived – so much so
that, by the C19th, the Maypole and its dancing had evolved to the fixing of long ribbons to the poles and the
choreographing of very specific dances!
With some towns and villages in England having permanently re-erected Maypoles on their village greens perhaps,
given time, they might once again become permanent fixtures in villages closer to home – and thereby result in more
celebrations/’fayres’ on May Bank Holiday? A Maypole would be a great addition to the Playing Fields!!!
Pip Squeak
10April Fool’s Day (also known as ‘Gowk’s Day)
… and the Famous ‘Spaghetti Tree’!!!
In British folklore, April Fool’s Day is associated with Gotham in Nottinghamshire and an event from the 13th
century. According to legend, King John decided to ‘acquire’ some of the land of Gotham for a hunting lodge.
Naturally, this was not popular with the townsfolk and so they decided on a cunning plan to dissuade the king.
They decided to ‘play the fool’ and when the king’s men arrived in the town, they found the townspeople doing all
sorts of crazy things such as trying to drown fish. This was enough for the king’s men to counsel the king to choose
somewhere else for his lodge, as Gotham was obviously full of madmen. Ever since then, according to legend,
April Fool’s Day has commemorated their trickery.
If so, you would expect to find references to April Fool’s Day from then onwards, whereas the first reference wasn’t
until 1686 when the writer John Aubrey referred to “Fooles holy day”. It would appear however that by this time
April Fool traditions were well established in Britain.
The edition of ‘Dawks’s News-Letter’ on 2nd April
1698 reported that “Yesterday being the first of April,
several persons were sent to the Tower Ditch to see
the lions washed”. This unlikely event was a popular
prank in London during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Unsuspecting gullible folk were invited to view the
annual ceremony of the washing of the lions at the
Tower of London. They would make the trip to the
Tower only to find that, of course, there was no such
ceremony and they had been sent on a fool’s errand.
Whatever the original ‘reason’, the idea of April Fool’s
Day spread rapidly throughout Britain during the 18th
century. It was particularly popular in Scotland where
it became a two-day event, starting with ‘hunting the
gowk’, gowk meaning ‘cuckoo’ or ‘fool’. It entailed sending folk on phony errands, often carrying messages reading,
“Dinna laugh, dinna smile. Hunt the gowk another mile.” The recipient would send the messenger on to another
person with the same message, and so on. This was followed by Tailie Day, which rather bizarrely involved playing
pranks on people’s bottoms, such as attaching pretend tails or ‘kick me’ notes to them.
Nowadays when someone has an April Fool trick played on them, the prankster will generally shout “April Fool!”.
Pranks can be quite simple, such as a small ‘false’ notice or sending people on wild goose chases - or they can be
quite involved, as some of the following examples illustrate:
There are many of you who may remember the now famous April Fool prank from 1957, when the BBC apparently
showed Swiss farmers picking spaghetti from spaghetti trees. The BBC received so many enquiries from viewers
asking where they could buy a spaghetti plant that they had to own up to the hoax the following day!
This prank was a three-minute report broadcast on 1 April, purportedly showing a family in the canton of Ticino in
in southern Switzerland as they gathered a bumper spaghetti harvest after a mild winter and "virtual disappearance
of the spaghetti weevil". Footage of a traditional "Harvest Festival" was aired along with a discussion of the
breeding necessary to develop a strain to produce the perfect length. Some scenes were filmed at the (now
closed) Pasta Foods factory on London Road, St Albans, Hertfordshire, and at a hotel in Castagnola, Switzerland.
Cameraman Charles de Jaeger dreamed up the story after remembering how teachers at his school in Austria
teased his classmates for being so stupid that if they were told that spaghetti grew on trees, they would believe it.
Editor Michael Peacock gave de Jaeger a budget of £100 and sent him off. The report was made more believable
through its voice-over by respected broadcaster Richard Dimbleby. Peacock said Dimbleby knew they were using
his authority to make the joke work, and that Dimbleby loved the idea and went at it with relish.
At the time, 7 million of the 15.8 million homes (about 44%) in Britain had television receivers. Pasta was not an
everyday food in 1950s Britain (which still had rationing of particular foods), and it was known mainly from tinned
spaghetti in tomato sauce - and considered by many to be an exotic delicacy. An estimated eight million people
watched the programme on 1 April, and hundreds phoned in the following day to question the authenticity of the
story or ask for more information about spaghetti cultivation and how they could grow their own spaghetti trees; the
BBC told them to "place a sprig of spaghetti in a tin of tomato sauce and hope for the best".
Personally, I am not quite old enough to remember the original broadcast of the ‘Spaghetti tree’ but, growing up, it
was mentioned practically every year thereafter!!! Decades later, CNN called this broadcast "the biggest hoax that
any reputable news establishment ever pulled".
The Guardian newspaper got in on the act on 1st April 1977 with a seven-page supplement on the entirely fictitious
island nation of San Serriffe.
Then in 2008 the pranksters at the BBC reported that during filming for their natural history series ‘Miracles of
Evolution’ they had captured footage of flying penguins. Presenter Terry Jones of Monty Python fame was shown
walking with the penguins in Antarctica, and then following their flight to the Amazon rainforest where the penguins
would “spend the winter basking in the tropical sun.” The video went viral on the internet!
Credits to Historic Britain and, of course, the “BBC and Spaghetti Tree”!!!
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12… and what do Church of the Holy Rood
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14‘The Other’ Thomas Hardy of Dorset
‘Thomas Hardy of Dorset’ is an internationally recognised author and is as
big a draw for tourists to this county as the Jurassic Coast. But, what of the
other Thomas Hardy of Dorset? As in, the ‘sailor’ ….
Thomas Masterman Hardy was born 5 April 1769 at Kingston Russell
House, Long Bredy (although some sources state Winterborne St Martin).
He joined the navy on 30 November 1781 as a captain's servant on the
HMS Helena, but left after five months to attend Crewkerne Grammar
School – however, he retained his naval connection on the HMS Seaford
and HMS Carnatic. Joining the HMS Hebe on 5 February 1790 as a
midshipman, he began his illustrious naval career, meeting Commodore
Horatio Nelson in December 1796 (having by then risen to the rank of First
Lieutenant), which proved to be the beginning of a famous friendship
founded and maintained upon unwavering professional respect.
Hardy was promoted to Master and Commander of the captured
HMS Mutine and, as part of Nelson’s fleet, destroyed the French fleet at the
Battle of the Nile in August 1798. On 2 October that year, he was promoted
again, to captain of the HMS Vanguard - Nelson's flagship. Following
campaigns in the Baltic, Copenhagen, the Mediterranean and the West
Indies, Hardy joined Nelson on the HMS Victory 31 July 1803 - blockading
Toulon, chasing the French fleet to the West Indies and back and finally
arriving at Cadiz on 29 September 1805, becoming Nelson’s Captain of the Vice Admiral Sir Thomas Hardy
Fleet as well as being Flag Captain.
At the Battle of Trafalgar (21 October 1805), as the intensity of the battle peaked, Hardy was standing next to Nelson
when that fatal shot was fired. Although generally depicted as not leaving his Admiral’s side, this was not the case.
Hardy ordered for Nelson to be taken below to the surgeon, operating on other wounded men on the lowest deck of
the ship, the Orlop deck. The battle raged on with ships of both fleets firing cannons and muskets at close quarters
and, amidst the mêlée, Hardy had to not only continue giving commands on the Victory, still in the thick of the fighting,
but also take charge of the British elements in the engagement, with those Captains looking to the HMS Victory for
signals. With Nelson asking for him, Hardy had to send a message down, “Circumstances respecting the fleet require
Captain Hardy’s presence on deck, but he will avail himself of the first favourable moment to visit his Lordship”. Hardy
had been told the wound was fatal, but it was over an hour before he could visit Nelson and inform him that the battle
was all but won. Having to return to the upper deck, it was nigh on another hour before Hardy could get back down to
the Orlop deck. He informed Nelson that the victory was theirs - and the records state that their final words to each
other were: Nelson, “Take care of my dear Lady Hamilton; take care of my poor Lady Hamilton. Kiss me, Hardy”
(Hardy kissed him on his cheek and, after a few seconds, kissed him on the forehead)
Nelson, “Who is that?”
Hardy, “It is Hardy”
Nelson, “God bless you Hardy”
Hardy again had to return to the Quarterdeck and was not present when Nelson died twenty minutes later. He
continued to command the final engagements and when the battle was over, he then ordered the signals to inform the
fleet that the Admiral was dead. HMS Victory was towed to Gibraltar and underwent repairs before returning to
England, with Nelson’s body being preserved in a cask of brandy and with a Marine guard constantly present.
Nelson's coffin lay in state at Greenwich for three days (5 to 8 January) and thousands of people filed past. At the
funeral on 9 January 1806, Hardy carried one of the banners and Nelson was finally laid to rest in St Paul’s Cathedral.
Hardy remained friends with Emma Hamilton but saw little of her, being at sea for
the majority of his life (Emma died in 1815).
Hardy was created a baronet on 29 January 1806 and married Louisa Berkeley,
daughter of Admiral Sir George Cranfield Berkeley, on 17 November 1807 (they
had three daughters). He continued his life at sea with commands that took him
to Portugal, North America and South America before finally returning to land for
the last time on 21 October 1827, having been made a Commodore in the
Portuguese Navy (1811), appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the
Bath (2 January 1815), promoted to Rear Admiral (27 May 1825), made First
Naval Lord in the Grey Ministry (1830 – when he declined to be a Member of
Parliament and concentrated on promoting the development of steam warships)
and a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (13 September 1831). He
finally resigned in August 1834 and became Governor of Greenwich Hospital,
being then promoted to Vice Admiral 10 January 1837.
Sir Thomas Hardy died on 20 September 1839, at the of 70, and was buried in
the officers’ vault in Greenwich Hospital Cemetery. In 1844, The Hardy
Monument (a 72-foot high ‘pillar’ on Black Down Hill, Dorset – Hardy having lived
at his family’s Portesham Estate nearby) was erected in his memory. The family
wanted a monument that would be a prominent landmark for ships and, since
The Hardy Monument 1846, it has appeared on navigational charts, being visible from over 100
kilometres.
References: Nelson by John Knox Laughton, MacMillan & Co, 1895; Study Notes of JC Barnett, 1944 Pip Squeak
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1675th
Commemorations
of
VE Day
8 May 1945
April 1945 – Approaching ‘Victory in Europe’ Day
By 1 April: Allied forces had crossed the Rhine and the Red Army was in Austria, with both fronts heading towards
Berlin. In Italy, Allied forces were pushing through the last German lines. The Luftwaffe had been effectively crushed.
Generalfeldmaerschall von Rundstedt, (Oberbefehlshaber West), aged 70 and one of the most respected German
generals by both the German and Allied forces, had been ‘retired’ by Hitler on 9 March, but stayed with his men.
Generalfeldmaerschall Kesselring, commanding forces in western Germany, was retreating. SS groups were moving
everywhere, executing anyone, of any rank, who was considering surrender.
The last V1 (FZG-76, flying bomb, doodle-bug, buzz bomb) fell on London 29 March (9251 targeted Britain, with 4621
destroyed before impact – c.2400 hit London with the first one being on 13 June 1944). The last V2 (A-4, Rocket) fell
on London 27 March. Of the thousands of V2s launched against European cities and ports, 1359 hit Britain with the
first one being on 8 September 1944.
9 April – Italy: British 8th Army Assault followed by American 5th Army Offensive. Main German resistance collapsed
15 April – the pinnacle of the German evacuation from Kurland/Prussia - an estimated 1½ million civilians and
military, including four army divisions and over 157,000 wounded, had been evacuated to Germany by the remnants
of the Kriegsmarine and over 1000 small vessels (sometimes called the ‘The German Dunkirk’).
18 April – Ruhr Encirclement completed. Over 300,000 prisoners taken. Wehrmacht collapsing on all fronts
26 April – British 2nd Army reached west bank of River Elbe, ‘mopping up’. Berlin surrounded. Generalleutnant Adolf
Galland, Luftwaffe Ace (who famously angered Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring in 1940, during the Battle of Britain,
by asking him for Spitfires!) was shot down and captured
28 April – When fleeing from Italy, Benito Mussolini was captured by partisans and executed
29 April – Italy: Generaloberst Vietinghoff defied Hitler and agreed to the unconditional surrender of all his forces
30 April – Soviet troops entered Berlin. Hitler committed suicide. Großadmiral Karl Dönitz appointed successor,
becoming Reichspräsident, but delayed immediate surrender to continue ‘rescue’ of civilians, and the military Rear
Guards, in Kurland and Prussia (seeking to save as many Germans as possible from falling into Soviet hands).
... and all over Britain … people were preparing for ‘victory’ celebrations!!!
Food Rations in April 1945
In Britain, vegetables, fruits and herbs were mainly restricted only by what could be grown, and were predominantly
seasonal. Other vegetables and fruits were occasionally available when arriving via the shipping convoys. Some
people raised pigs in their gardens and more kept chickens (mainly for eggs). Although rations fluctuated throughout
the war, in April 1945 basic rations per adult were as follows (being the weekly allowance unless otherwise noted):
Bacon and Ham 4 oz Pigs also kept in gardens! Margarine 4 oz
Other meats 1s.2d. Equivalent of two chops Lard 2 oz
Sugar 8 oz Egg 1 plus Dried Egg allowance
Loose Tea 2 oz Marmalade or 2 lb Per month
Cheese 2 oz Vegetarians had extra 3oz preserve or sugar 1 lb Per month
Butter 2 oz Sweets 12 oz Per month
In the UK, street parties are mainly known as private residents' events and have a special cultural meaning. The
tradition seems to have begun in England and Wales after World War I as residents' own "peace teas" to celebrate
the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919.
Approaching VE Day, numerous types of celebrations across the country were being planned, including ‘Street
Parties’ (mainly in towns and cities), and parties in village halls. Wherever such festivities could occur, households
combined rations and ‘larders’ to provide the celebratory ‘feasts’!
Editor
1718
Egg-chanting, Egg-clesiastical, Egg-cumenical … !!!
For millennia, eggs have continued to be symbolically powerful as
representations of birth, rebirth, fertility and life around the world. They are
prevalent in ancient beliefs and folklore and have become a much-loved aspect
of Eastertide (especially when produced in their yummy chocolate forms!!!).
The idea of Eggs becoming symbols of life has often been attributed to the
apparently miraculous phenomenon for prehistoric humans who witnessed this
form of ‘birth’ with birds and most reptiles – and, as birds and reptiles thrive
around the world, it is hardly surprising that eggs were associated to ‘magical
creation’ all around the world. Hence, many ancient cultures acquired the belief
that the world itself was born of the Cosmic Egg, or World Egg.
The earliest evidence for this comes from the Sanskrit scriptures of Verdic
mythology. In that language, the Cosmic Egg is Brahmanda, from Brahma (the
Luis García Hindu god of creation) and anda (egg). In the later Greek mythology, Chronos
Punic artwork decorated ostrich produced the egg from which Phanes (equated to Zeus) hatched, who then
egg from Andalusia, 600-300 BC made the cosmos. Amidst the numerous creation myths of the ancient Egyptians
we find the Cosmic Egg from which all life comes. For the Phoenicians and
Chinese, the creation mythology centres on an egg that breaks, with the two halves becoming the earth and the sky -
and in many versions has the additional theme of the yolk becoming the sun and the white becoming the moon,
similar to the Finnish epic (the Kalevala). Polynesian, African, Dogon, Maori, Celtic and many other mythologies are
all of this style. Eggs were also used in ancient rituals, all pertaining to life and resurrection. In Africa, over 2,500
years ago, eggs were decorated for the Spring rituals and, internationally, eggs became important in rites and
festivities for this season. These established traditions influenced the early Christian adoption of the egg to symbolise
the Easter Resurrection of Christ.
The mystical aspects of eggs continue to influence the lives of many around the world these days, including
Oomancy, the divination by eggs! Of the numerous superstitions surrounding eggs, a personal favourite regards soft-
boiled eggs. Once the egg and all the ‘soldiers’ are consumed, I puncture the base of the shell – to stop a witch using
it to sail out to sea and claim the life of a sailor! Granted, that was probably one of those tricks to get children to eat
breakfast - but I still do it!!! Carole
Crafters in the Rafters…Egg-Spensive Easters!
There is no doubt that very little surpasses the epitome of crafts and
arts at Eastertide than the Imperial Fabergé Eggs! With the egg
representing Spring, fertility and resurrection, the collection of eggs
created by The House of Fabergé (by Peter Carl Fabergé) in St
Petersburg, which also produced jewellery, exquisite tableware, et
cetera, became the ‘ultimate gifts’ at Eastertide for the Imperial family!
The first such egg was from an idea Tzar Alexander III had in 1885 as
a unique Easter gift for his wife, the Empress Maria Feodorovna. The
‘Hen Egg’ was made of gold and had an opaque white enamelled
shell. This opened to reveal a yellow-gold yolk, concealing a
multicoloured gold hen. Even the hen opened – containing a tiny
diamond replica of the imperial crown with a small ruby pendant
attached (the hen and crown were later lost). Alexander’s wife was so
thrilled with the gift that he appointed Fabergé a "Goldsmith by Special
Appointment to the Imperial Crown" and commissioned an ’egg’ each The most famous of the Imperial Fabergé Eggs:
year thereafter. Peter Fabergé had a free-rein in the designs, which The Imperial Coronation Egg
became more intricate – and always featured jewels and precious metals with exquisite ‘surprises’ inside.
Alexander III died 1 November 1894 and was succeeded by his son, Tzar Nicholas II, who continued this family
tradition, ordering Fabergé Easter eggs for his wife, Alexandra, and his mother, then the Dowager Empress Maria
Feodorovna. The only years Imperial Eggs were not made were 1904 and 1905 - the Russo-Japanese War. The
fame of the Imperial Fabergé Eggs resulted in a handful of orders for other eggs. About sixty-nine jewelled eggs were
eventually made - fifty-seven surviving today. Almost all were crafted 1885-1917, under the supervision of Peter Carl
Fabergé, the fifty-two Imperial Fabergé Eggs being the most famous - of which forty-six survive. Russian
businessman Viktor Vekselberg has purchased fifteen eggs over the years and established the Fabergé Museum in
St Petersburg where his collection is on display, nine of which are Imperial Fabergé Eggs.
Following the Revolution, Peter Carl Fabergé fled from Russia in 1917 and finally settled in Switzerland. The
Bolsheviks seized and ‘nationalized’ the Fabergé workshop the same year, confiscating all the stock – thus ending
the renowned Fabergé business. Peter never recovered from the revolution (or the execution (17 July 1918) of
Nicholas, Alexandra and their children) and died “of a broken heart” 24 September 1920. However, his Imperial
Fabergé Eggs are a perpetual testament to his incredible imagination and intricately detailed perfection – and
arguably the greatest Easter eggs ever created!
Of course, if you cannot stretch to an original Fabergé egg for your loved one this Easter, take a hard boiled or blown
egg, paint it with nail vanish (‘metallic’ mixes are ideal!) and stick on beads and metallic threads to make your own
Faberg-égg!!! (I did this donkey’s years ago for an Easter competition, and came second - the winner being an
Ostrich egg brilliantly decorated as Humpty Dumpty!!!). Pip Squeak
19Bonnie and Daisy at Crufts!!!
Further to the report in the LVN (November 2019) about
Bonnie and Daisy, here is an update from Beverley ….
Just thought I would let you know that the dogs did me
proud, at our very first Crufts. Daisy (Ardenrun Foolish
Whisper) won her Puppy Breed Class and was made Best
Bitch Puppy in her breed. Bonnie (Pennydach Mystique)
also didn’t let the side down, getting through to the final
cut of six, in a very large class. She also came 3rd in the
Good Citizenship Class. I still have not come back down
to earth!
What a weekend we had, I still think I am going to wake
up and it will all have been a dream. We are now working
our way to hopefully getting Daisy’s Junior Warrant
award.
Beverley Rose
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May 2020 not only sees the 75th Anniversary and
Commemorations of VE Day on 8 May 1945 but
They offer Full Valet cleans to:- windows, also the 80th Anniversary of the commencement
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of Operation Dynamo, the Evacuation from
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safety of the ground.
the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) following the
Steve has an extensive knowledge on repairs and German invasion of France.
installations on windows, doors & conservatories.
DanGina can carry out work on Commercial, Domestic Next month’s LVN will include articles regarding
and Residential properties. For more information call these Operations plus a special report about some
the number below or visit our website. of the dogs that were evacuated:
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The
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20Easy One Pot Rizzella
I followed the classic French beef bourguignon recipe precisely but it was inedibly tough and chewy so………
I knocked up a quick impromptu lunch for some friends, out of unmeasured ingredients I just happened to have and,
happily, they all enjoyed it and actually asked for the recipe! Well there wasn’t one. So I thought I better write it down
before I forget, as others might like to give it a try too – so here goes……
.…to save on washing up I called it ‘Easy One Pot Rizzella’.
This is a cross between paella with no seafood or capsicum and
risotto with no parmesan cheese and the wrong sort of rice – but it’s yummy!
You will need a wide and deep pan about 10” x 4 ½” as the rice swells up during cooking
Feeds 4+ and takes about 45mins to prep and cook. Chris Hildred
Ingredients Method
3 tablespoons of olive oil Find or borrow your pan and put on low heat
1 lump of butter Give your guests a large glass of wine or two
1 large onion diced Add the oil and butter
3 cloves of garlic finely chopped Add the onions, garlic, celery and bacon and cook down until golden.
150g of lardons or streaky bacon Add the chicken and stir in
chopped Add the rice and turmeric and stir in
2sticks of celery chopped Add half the stock
3 chicken breasts cubed Simmer for about 20 mins on low heat, adding stock and stirring as
200g of paella rice required to stop it catching
1 teaspoon of turmeric When the rice is nearly cooked have another glass of wine and add the
500ml of vegetable stock (Marigold is peas and sweet corn and garnish with asparagus cover and give it
good) – boiling hot another 5 mins
½ a mug of frozen peas defrosted Sprinkle with chives and serve
1 small tin of sweet corn
Asparagus and chives for garnish
Country Ways - Snapshots
Nearly everybody has owned some sort of camera. Sometimes taking snapshots of family events and happy times
with friends. These pictures can come to light years later and we say things like, “Oh, don't I look young” or “How slim
I was then!” Looking at old photos can be great fun and can even be part of a social activity in care homes called
Reminiscing. The human mind seems to be able to make up and store snapshots of its own. Snapshots which also
contain moods and feelings. It is often these snapshots which inspire and motivate us. Pictures in the mind of a
wonderful holiday where everything seemed right. The right weather, the right place and the right company.
Perhaps a television show has set up an image in the mind and you say to yourself I would really like to go to that
place or do that thing one day. I have childhood snapshots in my mind: helping my paternal grandfather with his
vegetable garden; visiting farming cousins in Somerset; hands-on rural science lessons at school with the feel of
potting soil, the smell of the greenhouse, the excitement of nurturing-on little cactus plants. These are the sort of
things which motivate a lot of my activity.
When the 13 part series ‘The Victorian Kitchen Garden’ came on television in 1987 it turbocharged those snapshots
in my mind. The program has acquired cult status amongst some people of my generation. Many of my YouTube
friends make pilgrimages to Chilton Foliat where it was filmed to try and find what remains of the garden or the
greenhouses and boffy. None of us are going to be able to compare with gardeners Harry Dodson, Peter Thody and
assistant Alison McKensie.
Although the show was a re-creation, it seemed real. It re-created a time before the 1st World War, when estates
could have all the manpower to create a perfect, weed-free, walled, kitchen garden which was protected from the
wind and trapped the sun. I suppose a lot of these remembered images are an illusion of the mind, ideals which were
never there in the first place!
All this reminds me of T S Eliot's words in ‘The Four Quartets’, talking about the journey of life:
“We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.
Through the unknown, remembered gate
When the last of earth left to discover
Is that which was the beginning.” John Simpson
21You can also read
