A WONDERFUL BOOK FROM DOUGLAS COUNTY DENVER

 

 

Have just finished reading this great social historical  book, which is dedicated to Don Wallace, husband of Elizabeth Victoria Wallace - founder of the Castle Rock Writers.  Don and Liz wrote many books linking Denver, Colorado - their US home with their original British origins.

Liz's first book EXTRAORDINARY PLACES... Close to London is still a best seller.  Within, she has chosen 30 exceptional destinations in Southeast England and for people who enjoy learning about our great exciting towns and villages scattered around London, they will enjoy exploring villages and towns in the English countryside, all within easy reach of London.

The presenter at Phoenix 98fm studios in Brentwood, Essex, Michelle Ward and John Farrar, social historian and film-maker, made a programme last week with Liz as the September guest for Book Club. 

EVERY YEAR THE FUN WALK INCREASES IN POPULARITY - 2017 HAS BEEN THE BEST EVER!

  

John Baron MP: 2017 Fun Walk breaks records in raising £120,000 for charities

 

MP awards bonus to charities and thanks sponsors, Barleylands Farm and ‘Family of volunteers’ at presentation evening

At their Presentation ceremony this evening, John Baron MP and other Trustees of the Fun Walk Trust [a registered charity] awarded bonus pot cheques to all those charities and good causes [projects] which took part in this year’s Fun Walk [at Barleylands Farm on Sunday, 21^st May]

 

Because of the generosity of corporate and individual sponsors, each project receives a bonus over and above what they raise themselves in sponsorship on the day. In this year’s walk, for every £100 raised by projects in sponsorship, the bonus pot is adding a further £55.  The total monies raised both by the projects and bonus pot sponsors came to £120,000 [which is a record - last year it was £110,000] with nearly 100 projects in total benefitting from this year’s Walk [Please see attached Factsheet – Photos will follow on Monday morning].

 

The presentation was held at Anisha Grange Care Home, Outwood Common Road, Billericay, Essex, CM11 2LE.

 

John said: “The 2017 Fun Walk has been a huge success and our bonus pot sponsors have been integral to that success. Our thanks go to Swan Housing Association, Billericay Football Club, c2c Rail, Abellio Greater Anglia, Hallmark Care Homes, Leonardo MW Ltd, Butyl Products Ltd, McDonald’s Basildon, IFE Global Logistics, Mr Barrie Stone, and others.” “Our thanks also go to Barleylands Farm for hosting the Walk and to Hallmark Care Homes for hosting the presentation evening, to our ‘Family of volunteers’ for organising and running the event, and to the many others who have helped including our marshals and accountants Hunt Smee and Co.”

 

“Many people and good causes less fortunate than ourselves will benefit from everyone’s generosity. It’s been a great team effort.”

 

 

BACK TO THE 40s - A REAL SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY (SEE FACEBOOK)

A DOORWAY INTO THE PAST - READ ALL ABOUT IT!!!

Frederick John Eales in his uniform of the Essex Yeomanry c 1895

Next year sees the 60th anniversary of the passing of that doughty character Fred Eales (1871-1958) who lived in the building that now houses the Cater Museum at 74 High Street, Billericay.  Fred was the town's last saddler and harness maker who followed his father, Thomas into the trade. Fred is pictured in the uniform of the Essex Yeomanry, in which regiment he practised his trade.  Although I had never met him, I have interviewed so many local folk who kindly gave me stories for one of my early books BILLERICAY VOICES and the strength of Fred's character is apparent.  We have so much information on our local forebears - do visit us at www.thecatermuseum.co.uk

Fred a year or two before his passing

AUTUMN JOY IN THE GARDEN

Autumn is now well and truly here and fellow amateur winemakers are checking out the fruit still growing in the garden and allotments.  Some of this can easily be turned into your own organic wine.  I notice that my American and Russian readers seem more inclined to follow this pastime which, for years during the '70s was a popular hobby in Britain.

For many years, I've been working on the best, fool-proof recipes and some of these little gems have been included in probably the very best glossy British self-sufficiency  magazine entitled HOME FARMER. The American winemakers of the world also use some of my winemaking recipes, too, it seems.  Of course, I enjoy seeing my own ramblings on the page, but must pay a tribute to Paul Melnyczuk and Ruth Tott and their editorial skills and beautiful photographs. Although I've worked with scores of magazine editors in the past, I love the way that my Home Farmer editors always send a draft layout before the mag is put to bed. Wish others were as professional.