Rural-life Archives - Savour the Moment

13 August 2019

The Cottage Vegan

Rachael Care – the face behind The Cottage Vegan

A cup of tea and a chat with Rachael Care – The Cottage Vegan

Although we live in the same, small North Notts village, I had never met Rachael – until the village plant sale at the Clayworth Memorial Hall. A few of us had taken homemade cakes to sell to help boost the proceeds. Rachael had made a selection of vegan muffins which looked eye-poppingly gorgeous.

Blueberry and lemon Chelsea buns drizzled with glace icing — Sticky blueberry and lemon Chelsea buns drizzled with glace icing

A gap in the market for vegan food locally

She and I chatted and it seemed that she was on the verge of starting up her own business ‘The Cottage Vegan’. Having done some research locally she discovered that there is a gap in the market for home-prepared, vegan food. After the plant sale we linked up on Facebook.

Such glorious cakes

The pictures she was posting of her glorious cakes gave me the idea that someone I know might appreciate one of her creations. I messaged Rachael and within minutes she responded saying that she was baking at that moment and would have a carrot cake ready for me that very afternoon. Now that is service! The cake went down a treat, it tasted divine and it didn’t break the bank!

A very col,our full Hummingbird cake decorated with edible fresh flowers — Hummingbird cake, decorated with edible fresh flowers

Cup of tea and a chat

I asked Rachael if she fancied a chat over a cup of tea and she kindly invited me to her cottage. And it is is exactly as you would imagine – a typical English cottage in a typical English village! She has over a hundred cookery books and her kitchen is all neatly laid out ready for the next baking session. It seems that ‘The Cottage Vegan’ (very aptly named) went ‘live’ on 1st July. One month in and business is already brisk. Simple word-of-mouth alongside social media and the orders are rolling in.

All set for afternoon tea with fresh flowers a cup of tea and an apple cram horn — Afternoon tea with apple cream corn

We made a connection

She and I seemed to connect, having much in common: a love of cookery, making things, creativity and ‘flavour’! I was bowled over by her determination and passion and asked her how she had arrived at this point in her life – on the cusp of a new business. It seems that she has taken a long and winding route to where she is now.

Buckwheat pastry with cheese, onion, tomatoes and homemade mango chutney — Buckwheat pastry patties with cheese, onion, tomatoes and homemade mango chutney

Back to school

Rachael has worked with various companies in administration and also at one point as a carer. But she had always harboured the desire to learn to cook, although she could already cook she wanted to learn to do it professionally. She was encouraged to follow her dream by her husband so gave up her job and started a vocational college course https://www.don.ac.uk/.

If you don’t ask you don’t get

With a need to keep some money coming in and also to get a foot into the catering industry, she took a job as a chamber maid at a local hotel with a fine dining restaurant attached http://www.mountpleasant.co.uk/ . One thing led to another and she dared to ask the Head Chef if he would give her a job. To her surprise he said ‘yes’! and he continued to be her mentor and oversee her progress… and her rise to pastry chef.

Satay skewers and rainbow salad — Satay skewers with rainbow salad

Home is where the heart is

Something that has always been on her mind is, like me, she loves to be at home. All those endless days spent staring out of someone else’s window with a longing just to be at home. Also like me, she enjoys her own company. All this points to where she is, developing her own business from where she loves more than anywhere else to be… her own kitchen.

Business is booming

Market research was to supply her husband’s colleagues with her first bakes, actively encouraging their feedback – and ultimately their orders, which began to gather momentum. She now finds herself very busy. Because she is flexible and open to suggestions she is constantly adding new lines and experimenting with flavours. She will even prepare a week’s worth of readymade vegan meals to people who don’t have the time to shop and cook. It’s a service that is clearly much appreciated.

Get in touch with Rachael at the Cottage Vegan

Have a look at The Cottage Vegan’s Facebook page and if there’s anything thing there that tempts you (believe me there will be whether you are vegan or not!) send her a message. https://m.facebook.com/thecottagevegan/

Variety is the spice of life

So, it’s not just cakes… it’s Jamaican patties, vegan lasagne, bean and vegetable casseroles, flatbreads, vegan burgers, the most amazing gâteux, muffins and cakes – and probably anything else you might ask of her. All her bakes and makes are made to order with top-quality, local produce… and lots of love.

21 January 2019

The Tradition of the Clayworth Plough Plays

An image of three of the main protagonists, the Clown, the Sergeant and Eezum-Squeezum

Plough Monday

Plough Monday can be traced right back to medieval times. It traditionally saw the return to work after the break for Christmas, especially in northern and eastern England. The traditions for Plough Monday varied from village to village. Plough Monday was originally the first Monday after the twelfth day of Christmas, 6 January. Epiphany.

A unique tradition

The tradition very nearly disappeared during World War 1 and then again in the Second World War. Credit is due to the players and the landlords of both village pubs for upholding this unique tradition.

The Sergeant in his bright red coat — Enter the Sergeant

Plough Sunday

Naturally, the day before Plough Monday is not surprisingly known as Plough Sunday. This tradition more often than not, now takes place in Clayworth, North Nottinghamshire, on the third Sunday of January.

The death of the earth

In medieval times and in the dead of winter it was thought that the earth ‘died’ and there was a possibility that nothing would ever grow again. It was difficult to believe that the earth would ever wake up and again provide food..

A battle between Light and Dark, Good and Evil, Life and Death

I am lucky enough to live in the village of Clayworth in north Nottinghamshire, England where the most well-known of these plays still takes place. The ‘script’ is usually a bit of nonsense but has a hidden, topical message somewhere within. A pretend battle is fought between Light and Darkness. Darkness is killed and then brought back to life by some miracle. The death of the Old Year and the arrival of the New Year is symbolised in this tableau.

The village pubs

This year the play was performed as usual in the surrounding villages on the Friday before Plough Sunday.

The Blacksmith’s Arms in Clayworth https://www.blacksmithsclayworth.com/ and the Brewers Arms, also in Clayworth, http://www.brewersarmsclayworth.co.uk/ both play host to the Plough Play on Plough Sunday.

An image of The Blacksmith’s Arms, one of Clayworth’s pubs to host the Plough Play — The Blacksmith’s Arms, one of Clayworth’s pubs which hosts the Plough Play

An image of the Brewer’s Arms, one of Clayworth’s pubs to host the Plough Play — The Brewer’s Arms at Clayworth who also play Bost to the Plough Play

It gets very busy

The bar at the Brewers’ begins to fill from 12.15pm and by 12.45pm when the players arrive, it is absolutely heaving. Get there early, get a drink and a seat… and if you think ahead book for Sunday lunch, you won’t be disappointed.

Old Eezum-Squeezum

A fiddler and an accordionist enter the pub, followed at different times by the players: the Clown, the Plough ‘boy’, the ‘Horse’, the Soldier, Old Eezum-Squeezum (sometimes known as Beelzebub), and the Doctor. Sounds bizarre and yes it is, but highly entertaining and amusing with rhymes and short songs which have been passed down through the years. There is even a sword dance!

It was once common for those who took part in these plays to blacken their faces as a disguise. They might also include something to associate with nature in their costumes such as a flower or feathers.

A Morris-cum-Sword dance takes place in a very confined space — A Morris/Sword dance in a confined space

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Eezum-Squeezum lies dead on the floor surrounded by all the other Plough Players — Eezum-Squeezum – dead on the floor!

It’s a miracle!

The climax of the play is the fight between Light and Dark, Good and Evil, Life and Death. It culminates in the slaying of Darkness (Old Eezum-Squeezum) – who is usually brought back to life by ‘the Doctor’ – and everyone lives happily ever after – with a pint in hand!

An image of Bessie singing her lament — Bessie… or Bill Oddie!

Good luck, fertility and wealth

The play brings together farmers and villagers. The purpose of the play is to bring luck, fertility and wealth. You need to be there in order to get your share, so put the date in your diary for 2020!

9 August 201826 August 2018

All is safely gathered in. (Winter is coming!)

Update: Harvesting in the dark

On the way home from a night out – the farmers are still harvesting.

The hubster and I went out for out for a wander yesterday afternoon. We could hear the distant hum of the combine harvester.

You may have seen a couple of images on Twitter @SavourtheMomen1 and Instagram @Sharon28.sr. Here they are again:

Townies!

We are relatively new to this area. It is still an absolute delight and a wonder to see the continual change in the fields around us. This incredible summer has provided the most amazing fields of gold. Our neighbours might well take this for granted as they have always lived in this environment – but they are far more in tune with the change in the seasons than we are.

Harvest dust gets everywhere

Our bird’s eye view was from the nearby canal towpath. Several vehicles: combines, grain collectors and even bigger grain collectors, followed by bailers, all work together like partners in a dance. The huge expanse of barley (yes I can recognise it now) was ‘done’ in little under an hour. Great clouds of light-brown dust billowed up and made its way across the canal. It left its tell-tale film on the water, to be absorbed overnight to sink to the bottom. We took shelter behind a hawthorn hedge. Even so everything, yes everything, inside and outside the house… and the car, has a light covering of beige dust. I suppose it goes with the territory!

A different way of life

The machine operators certainly know what they’re doing and understand the crops, the land and the weather. At this time of year and in this area, there is no such thing as an eight-hour working day. The headlights of the vehicles in the fields can be seen as they work into the night. At a guess I would say it is probably three solid weeks of working 18/20 hour days. I could be wrong, it might be more.

Then comes the tractor. They pull huge trailers of hay stacked so high they barely make it under the bridges. They shower the roads and paths with yellow confetti.

The harvest is almost finished now and the moon will soon shine on the freshly harvested fields to turn the gold into silver.

It will always continue to fascinate. It really is a spectacle to see. I recommend that you take the time to go and look for yourself, before it is too late.

Hats off to the farmers.

2 August 20182 August 2018

A Snapshot in Time

This image keeps popping back into my head even though I took it well over a year ago.

We were on a camping trip with my son, Luke and his family to Clapton-on-the-Hill, Gloucestershire. The campsite, owned and run by an elderly lady, was dominated along one side by a big, old, dark brown barn. Some of the slats were slipping, leaving just enough space for an iPhone to take aim. It was late evening, the sun was sinking and a blackbird sang. It was as though each object in the barn had been specifically placed in order to create this composition.

A look through a peephole into an old barn

I can tell you know more, it is just a snapshot in time. Another moment to savour, it reminded me of:

Adlestrop by Edward Thomas (about a Gloucestershire village station):

Yes. I remember Adlestrop

The name, because one afternoon

Of heat, the express-train drew up there

Unwontedly. It was late June.

The steam hissed. Someone cleared his throat.

No one left and no one came

On the bare platform. What I saw

Was Adlestrop—only the name

And willows, willow-herb, and grass,

And meadowsweet, and haycocks dry,

No whit less still and lonely fair

Than the high cloudlets in the sky.

And for that minute a blackbird sang

Close by, and round him, mistier,

Farther and farther, all the birds

Of Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire.

1 August 20183 August 2018

GONE FISHING!

I think I may have mentioned this before but I live very near to the Chesterfield Canal http://www.chesterfield-canal-trust.org.uk/ and that I have started a new regime of jogging along the tow path. Well, this lovely waterway is attractive in other ways too…

During the long school summer break, my four grandchildren (aged between five and nine) come to stay either in twos or altogether – like yesterday, when we spent some time making our own fishing nets. All each of them needed was:

Make your own fishing net — All you need to make a simple fishing net

A 5 ft garden cane
A wire coat hanger
A piece of netting
A needle and thread

There was much amusement as they put their sewing skills to the test plus a bit of help from Grommar and Poppar of course. In the end all four of them finished with a very respectable fishing net. Naturally, they were all desperate to put them to the test so plans were made that Evie and Jack could go fishing the next day, as they were staying here with us and Josh and Harry could go the following week, when they would be staying with us.

Evie and Jack fishing — Homemade fishing nets in action

It was a golden couple of hours as Evie and Jack searched along the canal bank for the perfect spot, looking for tiddlers along the way. Neither had ever ‘fished’ before so they soon learned that splashing around in the water and making grand swooping gestures with the net was not going to catch them any fish. After a demonstration by Poppar they soon got the hang of it and it wasn’t long before each of them had a jar with a couple of tiddlers, some other creatures and some bits of weed.

Evie and Jack try out their fishing nets — Learning to fish

We had taken a picnic lunch with us and as we ate lunch, we saw a kestrel, heard a yellow-hammer, a buzzard, swans with signets, pondskaters, water boatmen and blackberries almost ready for picking – probably a task for next week. It was a couple of hours very well spent and could be replicated anywhere there is a body of water – just make sure you take every safety precaution and notice of any safety warnings – or else you will have to answer to your kids!

Fishing takes patience — Fishing on the Chesterfield Canal

This is also one of the things to do on the https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/documents/50-things-activity-list.pdf

Trust me, it was a day to treasure.

28 July 201813 January 2020

Hello, this is me…

This is me Sharon Richardson

Hello this is me,

My name is Sharon, welcome to my blog. Please make yourself at home and have a browse through my meanderings. Here is a little insight into me! My views are wry and often dry but always my own. Thank you for dropping in!

Retirement? You must be joking!

I am ‘retired’ and now live an active rural life (with the odd quick fixes of city-life). I live in a cottage in a village, that is Nottinghamshire’s best kept secret. Together with my husband I am involved in all kinds of things that keep us out of mischief.

I have a lot of interests and ‘Savour the Moment’ is my personal blog. This is where I share my thoughts on a variety of topics with anyone who might be remotely interested. I’ve been involved with marketing communications for most of my adult-life – and by default, the written word. ‘Savour the Moment’ fulfils my need to write.

I can also post product reviews and will share my feedback.

It’s all about this and that really

I really don’t know what I’ll be sharing from post-to-post. So, if you’re looking for a consistent topic blog you are out of luck. The only consistency you will find is that I’m consistently inconsistent. It depends on my current obsession, at present it’s ‘Couch to 5K’ or me trying to run (for run read ‘gentle jog’)!

I enjoy hearing from readers of my blog and will happily respond to comments.

My favourite things

The kind of things that I like are: Christmas, winter, home, log-fires, the hubster, the kids, the grandkids (with a passion), writing, reading, listening (to Radio 4, to audio books, to people), Paul Simon, James Taylor, Harry Nilsson, Christopher Cross, Andy Williams, Neil Sedaka, Barbra Streisand, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Gerry Rafferty, oh and Harry Potter, Dustin Hoffmann, Alan Rickman, (sigh)… walking, cooking, my friends, making things – anything, red wine, gin and tonic… are you getting the picture?

26 June 20181 August 2018

Open Gardens!

Eight brave neighbours of mine got together to stage an ‘Open Gardens’ day this weekend. The day could not have been more glorious – a typical English summer day, bright and warm from the off.

The route through the village provided a peep behind the gates into some of the most amazing spaces. Some filled with quintessential blooms of delphiniums, foxgloves, hollyhocks, clematis, roses and the rest. And others were tranquil areas of trees providing an uplifting dappled light.

The event brought the community together, my husband was on ticket and car park duty whilst I made teas and coffees and sold cakes in the village hall with many others who had rolled up their sleeves. It was hard work but well-worth it, as £1600 was raised towards the Memorial Hall refurbishment fund. And for many, it was a grand day out – especially as The Brewer’s Arms http://www.brewersarmsclayworth.co.uk/ and the The Blacksmiths https://www.blacksmithsclayworth.com/ were both open for business and offering a discount. What more could you want?

My own garden is very small but I endeavour to fill it with colour- and perhaps, when it’s time for the next ‘Open Gardens’ day in a couple of years’ time, I will be brave enough to open the gate to it too.

22 June 20183 August 2018

The Traquair Murals (the what Murals?)

Fancy that!

There is ‘brown road sign’ local to us pointing towards ‘The Traquair Murals’ – and as I have only lived in the area a relatively short time, my thoughts were ‘the what murals?’ How on earth is it that pronounced? Well, through sneaky research I have it on good authority that it is pronounced ‘Trakwair’ and… what are they? Here is everything you ever wanted to know about the hidden gem of the Nottinghamshire countryside that is the ‘Traquair Murals’:

Phoebe Traquair was born Phoebe Anna Moss on 24 May 1852 in Kiltern, County Dublin, Ireland. Her parents were Dr William Moss and Teresa Moss (née Richardson). Phoebe was the sixth of their seven children. She studied art at the School of Design at the Royal Dublin Society between 1869 and 1872 and married the Scottish palaeontologist Ramsay Heatley Traquair on 5 June 1873. They had three children: Ramsay, Harry and Hilda.

Phoebe’s elder brother was William Richardson Moss, a keen art collector who owned a number of works by Dante Gabriel Rossetti who founded the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, she shared her brother’s love of art, including a particular fascination with the work of Rossetti and that of William Blake. Her style and choice of subject matter remained deeply influenced by Blake and Rossetti’s art and poetry throughout her life.

So what has Phoebe got to do with a sleepy little village in North Nottinghamshire?

St Peter’s Church in Clayworth (link: http://www.stpetersclayworth.org) is home to one of only two similar artworks outside of Scotland. These particular murals are the largest works of art in the East of England and were created by Phoebe Traquair in 1905. And they have to be seen to be believed… vibrant, rich colours that bring the centuries-old, grey, stone walls of the village church to life. Phoebe’s earlier Pre-Raphaelite and Arts and Crafts influences can clearly be seen in this unique, peaceful environment.

On a silver tablet are the words: ‘To the glory of God as a thank offering for the safe return from the Boer War 1899 -1902 of her beloved son Captain Joseph Frederick Laycock DSO, who being at that time a Major in the Sherwood Rangers Imperial Yeomanry, served on the staff of General Sir John French KCB, this chancel has been decorated in deep gratitude, by his mother Lady D’Arcy Godolphin Osborne,’

I strongly recommend a visit to the church to see this work of art but put on your walking boots and take the opportunity to walk down the lane opposite the church to Otter’s Bridge, walk over the bridge, taking in the views of open-countryside then turn left and follow the canal tow-path to the next bridge. Leave the canal at this point (unless you want a good 6 mile ramble into Retford) turn left again and follow the road back to the church. Take this opportunity to call in at either the Brewer’s Arms (link: http://www.brewersarmsclayworth.co.uk) or The Blacksmiths (link: http://www.blacksmithsclayworth.com) for a refresher. After which, continue back up the road to St Peter’s Church to complete the circuit. It won’t take long – an afternoon should do it. If you haven’t seen the Traquair Murals then put it on your to do list. You won’t regret it, an afternoon well spent.

21 June 201810 June 2019

Make your own refreshing, Elderflower Cordial

This is elderflower blossom in full bloom and also ready to bloom

How to make homemade Elderflower Cordial

I make Elderflower Cordial every year and the time to make this wonderful, refreshing ‘summer in a bottle’ is now! Get out and pick some of those lovely, fragrant blossoms fast – before they fade. Top tip – try to find an elderflower tree that is not on a busy road. They grow just about everywhere and should be easy to find,

Refreshing Elderflower Cordial is so summery

Every year at this time I collect elderflower heads and remember my Mum. It was the last thing that we did together a couple of weeks before she died twelve years ago. She had a large elderflower tree at the bottom of her garden. She reached up with her walking stick to bring down the biggest blooms for me. This refreshing, summery drink is literally bittersweet for me, she loved it – and everyone who has tried it since loves it too.

Refreshing Elderflower Cordial is such a good mixer

Mix it with prosecco, gin, vodka – or sparkling water of course – and it can be used to flavour cakes and desserts. It is so easy to make, I ans sure that you will be impressed at just how good it is – and everyone else will be too. Here’s how to make elderflower cordial:

Ingredients:

25 – 30 heads very fresh elderflowers
1.5kg (3lb 5oz) granulated sugar https://www.tateandlylesugars.com/our-brands/tate-lyle-sugar
3 large unwaxed lemons,
75g (2-¾oz) citric acid (available at Wilko’s, https://www.wilko.com/en-uk/wilko-citric-acid-50g/p/0022652 chemists or winemaking shops) Note that it might not be on the shelf it is often kept in the stockroom so always ask an assistant.
One and a half litres (two and a half pints) cold water

Three lovely, yellow, fresh lemons ready for peeling and slicing — Three fresh, unwashed lemons ready to peel and slice

Equipment needed:

A large saucepan
A large mixing bowl
A wooden spoon
A peeler
A colander
A clean muslin cloth
Some clean, reusable plastic or glass bottles

Method:

Gently shake the elderflower heads to remove any ‘wildlife’
Put the sugar and 1.5 litres (2 ½ pints) of water into a saucepan, bring to the boil. Stir from time to time to dissolve the sugar. Remove the zest from the lemons in broad strips with a peeler and put in a bowl with the elderflowers. Slice the lemons thinly and add to the bowl. When the sugar syrup has come to the boil, pour over the flowers and lemons. Stir in the citric acid. Cover with a clean dry cloth and leave in a cool, dark place for 24 hours.
Strain the cordial through a muslin-lined nylon sieve into a large bowl or container. Pour into warm, sterilised bottles and seal. (Or plastic water bottles for the freezer, just remember to leave enough space for expansion. This way you can have the taste of summer at Christmas!)
Leave to cool and keep in the refrigerator. It will last for four to six weeks.