Category: The Wolds

A Village Affair

On September 2, 2008

In Cooking, Food, Gardens and Gardening, Lincolnshire, The Wolds, Uncategorized, Village

The 34th Annual Flower and Vegetable show was held this Saturday in our village. A great bustle filled the air as the villagers took their wonderful produce to the village hall to await judgement. The eighty categories make it a fabulous affair. The hall was filled to bursting with all manner of superb vegetables with the Onion Competition displaying some of the biggest and best onions I have ever seen. Every vegetable from the common potato and carrots to the not some common kohlrabi, very popular in Germany and known as the German turnip, it dates back to the 16th century. Also on display were the marvelous victoria sponges, fruit cakes, plum breads, apple pies, jams and preserves, such wonderful jars of pickle onions and mint jellies. Mostly all the items are auctioned at the end of the day, selling at the most reasonable prices and the villagers snap up the scrumptious cakes and first class vegetables. On arriving home I made a very good leek au gratin for supper and some butternut squash and chili soup for freezing.

It has not been a very good summer this year and yet these amazing village gardeners always managed to produce the most wonderful vegetables and should be so proud of themselves when collecting their various plaques and trophies.

It is such a nice social afternoon with tea and cakes or a glass of wine for those who choose. Long may this wonderful show continue, I look forward to the 35th Flower and Vegetable show, in our really lovely little village.

A Village Fete

By Susie

On June 29, 2008

In Food, Lincolnshire, The Wolds, Village

Towards the end of June, seems to be the most popular time for the Village Fete, it really is such a wonderful English Tradition. Our small village had theirs yesterday, as usual on the last Saturday in June. The large Marquees were erected in the centre of the village, and with all the bustle and preparation an excitement seems to take over.

The ladies of the village start their wonderful baking in the days before, and the cakes are duly assembled, some are selected for selling and the rest are displayed in the refreshment tent ready to serve our visitors a wonderful tea. Wines and gifts are packed onto tables for tombola and raffles, and all manner of stands, and games, filled the meadow. The ‘Honey’ man was there with his wonderful little pots of goodness and his special sheets of bees-wax, which can be rolled and made into candles. Delicious homemade Jams and Marmalades filled the tables. Local ‘very tasty ‘ Eggs were gathered up very quickly. With the Ice Cream Man and Bouncy Castle doing a roaring trade, a festive air took place. Great plants for sale, and an impressive display of vintage cars filled more spaces.

The local school Band played wonderfully and with such great accomplishment and aplomb, and later with the catchy tunes of our village group, I found my toes tapping as some great music filled the meadow.

The weather was kind to us and seeing all the cheery faces and the happy smiles and laughter of the children, it was a most pleasant afternoon. Long may this splendid tradition continue.

And The Winds Do Blow

By Susie

On June 22, 2008

In Gardens and Gardening, Lincolnshire, The Wolds, Uncategorized

Unusually strange weather in our little Wolds Village today. The Sun is shining brightly but the wind is charging through, blowing sun umbrellasÂ and summer – swings about. With potentialÂ gusts ofÂ 55-65 mph and isolated gusts ofÂ 70 mphÂ it seems a strange June Day. Not one for gardening I feel.

Our Village – Lincolnshire Fayre Supper.

By Susie

On June 9, 2008

In Food, Lincolnshire, The Wolds

Saturday was our ‘Lincolnshire Fayre’ supper held in the village hall. A really nice evening, enabling us all, to get together for a good chat and sample some wonderful local produce. Each table of twelve was so prettily set with flower centre pieces and laden with some really tasty fayre. We all started with Egg mayonnaise, the delicious taste of free range eggs and local salad made this, a most agreeably piquant start to the main meal.

The main course was succulent local cold cuts of Ham, Pork, Beef, local butchers Sausages and tasty Pork-Pies, of course the famous and very unique Pork Chine was also present. Pork Chine is salted neck-hind of pork, taken from between the shoulder blades of the pig, salted for up to ten months and then stuffed with parsley, the other ingredients are normally kept secret, it is served cold. Some may say an acquired taste but I like it very much. Huge bowls of fresh salad and new potatoes completed the main course.

We then had a seriously amazing choice of simply wonderful desserts. All home-made, by some of the best cooks in the Village. Ranging from strawberry and chocolate Pavlovas, the wonderful Italian dessert of Tiramisu, creamy Rice Pudding, Bannoffi Tart and Assorted Trifle’s etc. Absolutely a wonderful display and a heaven for the sweet tooth brigade, which rather looked like all of us, seeing the weighty bowls carried back from the dessert table!

Finally to finish, the large trays of Plum Bread, which is another Lincolnshire speciality of dried fruit bread, consisting of raisins sultanas and currents, sometimes soaked in tea and always served with slices of good strong cheese. This particular bread made at one of our local bakers, has now been chosen by British Airways to serve in first class on selected flights.

Then Teas and Coffee for those who wish. What a great meal all served so beautifully, on prettily dressed tables with care and many smiling faces. Sharing all this with good friends, it was a most pleasant evening and enjoyed by all. One little point this evening was all produced for the grand sum of Â£6.50 !

Lincolnshire’s Poacher Country.

By Susie

On May 19, 2008

In Lincolnshire, The Wolds

“For me it’s the breathtaking skies” my answer is always the same when asked,Â “and what brought a Southern girl to the Lincolnshire Wolds”Â These giant skies, the backdrop of this gentle, graceful green vista, is for me, the stunning beauty of this enchanting part ofÂ England.

I had for some timeÂ previouslyÂ lived in an Oasis town in theÂ Middle East and had become accustomed to the large skies of the desert and had embraced the wonder of such open spaces. So it was with delight, on one warm July day that I came across the charms ofÂ the Lincolnshire Wolds, and this place with it’s immediate sense of tranquillity stayed in my memory and heart andÂ drew me years later to my home, in a lovely village which nestles in a valley, alongsideÂ the River Bain.

My home overlooks pasturesÂ amongst these peaceful farmlands and although now through trouble times – my husband is terminally ill with Multiple Myeloma see http://www.susiehemingway.blogspot.com Â – I have at last found the tranquillity I craved.

I shall write of my life in this charming English Village and of the joy and sometimes pain each day brings.Â I am a Country Lady now and I shall remain so.

The View From My Window.