As always Marion Taylor has been relaying news from CCA to Margaret at Frost Magazine, and started by mentioning a fantastic donation of 150 DVD’s  from Mick,  quite a lot of them still in their wrapping. The problem is, of course, will Marion ever come out of the office from which will issue sounds of car chases, and all else. Be alert, everyone. Press the stop button.

Julie Milne did the Monday Equans meeting and a second large box of toiletries was packed up and ready to go to Washington Youth Council for the Wearside Women in Need Christmas Appeal. Yet again evidence of the kindness of the  community who clearly never fail to rally round. The cut off point for donations is the 16^th December, still a while to go. The CCA have requested more boxes from Equans as they hope to fill several more for this worthwhile cause.

More hats have arrived courtesy of Plain n Purl. Hazel McCaine,you are a star. Sister Mary collected the hats on her visit to CCA. She came bearing gifts for all, she truly is an earth Angel  Marion tells me.

The CCA team were really pleased to host a special coffee morning for the staff to promote employment at Azure Care. Lovely people who do an amazing job. Anyone who would like the opportunity to work alongside these wonderful people can contact Ruth or Joanne at ruth.pope@azure-charitable.co.uk as there are jobs available and they would love to hear from you.

Though there has not been a lot of ‘hands on’ progress with the refurb this week  there  were loads  of discussions taking place. For instance, electrical work is scheduled to commence 12^th December. Richard, CCA’s surveyor, has a meeting with the Contractors on Monday so fingers crossed they will soon have a start date for the external work. In addition; the CCA have had conversations in relation to Solar Panels being installed.

‘Whoop whoop,’ said Marion. ‘We now have the Archaeology report on our Air Raid shelter which is interesting reading. This will be  passed on to Ged Parker at Washington History Society.’

The roofers arrived to fix the problem the CCA have had with poor fitting flashing on the roof; (fingers crossed they have at last solved the problem).

SCC phoned to say the CCA Emergency light check was due and they would call Wednesday morning. ‘Oops,’  Marion told us, ‘it was done in August, someone had their dates mixed. Up to date records are a real asset. The chap had a cup of coffee to warm him up, and went on his way smiling.’

Dianne, chair of the committee, has emailed SCC to see if there is a possibility that the CCA can have an EV charging point at the community centre as they have off street parking and feel there is a need for a payable point in Columbia.

Shake that Boogey (with Red Shoes Bob,) certainly livened the centre up with their music, Claire brought a lovely rug for the Warm Spaces room, it has pride of place in front of the  new dresser.

Massive thanks from everyone to Yvonne Walsh for her amazing cash donation to CCA, along with gift boxed books for our Diddi dancers Christmas parties Santa sack.

The forever young Bingo ladies came and  all enjoyed the chocolate cake courtesy of Linda. ‘Margaret you would have loved it.’ Marion said. Well yes, a favourite of mine, rub it in, Marion, why don’t you!

Finally, the Committee at CCA, and all at Frost Magazine, are are all thinking of Stu and hoping you are soon back,  bright eyed and bushy tailed, all geared up, paint brush in hand, ‘There is work to be done Sir.’  So said, (You guessed it,) our  Marion.

Information: Columbia Community Association  Columbia uk Community Forum

Memories of Brady Square

As Joffe Books announce their book of the week, they tell us they are  over the moon to bring you the Joffe Books Prize-winning novel THE RAVEN’S MARK by Christie J. Newport. Don’t miss this award winning debut crime thriller with an incredible twist — out now for the special launch price of just £0.99 | $0.99.

Meet Beth Fellows, a Preston detective haunted by her mum’s murder when she was only four. Now Beth faces the biggest case of her career: Rose Danes’s throat was cut, her body discarded in a council estate. Seared into the teenage girl’s skin is the image of a raven.

Six years ago, another girl was attacked. The victim survived but now languishes in a coma. She also had a raven burned onto her body. Beth must break all the rules to stop any more girls from suffering. But will her everything be enough to stop a sick murderer

Gripping and unexpected.’ Diane Chamberlain, New York Times bestselling author of The Last House on the Street

‘Taut, pacy and gritty story that kept me guessing the whole way through.’ Philippa East, author of Little White Lies and I’ll Never Tell

*Please note that launch prices are available for a limited time only. Please check all price offers are live and available in your location before purchasing.
CLICK HERE TO BUY THE RAVEN’S MARK BY CHRISTIE J. NEWPORT FOR £0.99 | $0.99.

ANGEL AND THE NUN  by Roger Silverwood £0.99/$0.99

DETECTIVE MICHAEL ANGEL IS BACK IN A BRAND-NEW MYSTERY  It’s a cold foggy night on the Yorkshire moors when a priest is discovered dead. With just five nuns living in the convent and no sign of a break-in, Detective Inspector Angel assumes this will be a straightforward case.  Can Angel catch the killer nun before any more innocent lives are lost? Or has he finally met his match

GIRL WITH SECRETS by Carol Rivers  £0.99/$0.99

A wartime saga by a SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR.

1938. After her father makes an ill-advised investment, nine-year-old Daisy is swept from the country into crowded London. While her family try to settle, whispers about war grow louder. With schools closed, Daisy listens to conversations around her and learns that adults, as well as children, have secrets.

THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY by Emma Bennet £0.99/$0.99

Come along, let’s get swept away to  to Barcelona in this heartwarming feel-good cozy romance.  Iris is falling in love with the father of her child. The only problem is she never told him they had a daughter. He broke her heart once. Iris must learn to trust all over again if she has any chance of happiness.  Well worth a reach. Cozy anything warms my heart

NEWS

CHRISTIE J. NEWPORT, WINNER OF THE 2021 JOFFE BOOKS PRIZE FOR THE RAVEN’S MARK, ON HER WRITING JOURNEY

With  The Raven’s Mark, I wanted to write an instantly captivating story from a detective’s perspective. Not least because I had always wanted to be a detective, but never had the good health to follow that path. Being a detective and being an author are the two careers that have always called to me. I have written since I was a child, making up stories as a form of escapism, creativity, and exploration.

The Raven’s Mark allowed me to indulge in all of that by escaping into the world of Detective Beth Fellows and her team.

As I wrote The Raven’s Mark, the characters jumped free of the page and began dictating how the story should develop. Of course, at times I needed to steer them and realign the story, but they followed their own paths. Sometimes, I feel that my books hit a point when the characters begin to take over. There is no better feeling for me, because when that happens, I know I am onto something.

I wanted to write Beth as a strong mixed-race detective who is also a gay woman. It was important to me that she be very diverse and to have her navigate her professional world with poise and confidence. I also intended to give her an equally diverse team that reflects society.

I submitted The Raven’s Mark to the Joffe Books Prize for Crime Writers of Colour and thought no more about it.

Then one day I received a call while out in the car with my wife. At first I thought it was a cold caller, but then Emma Grundy Haigh introduced herself as the Editorial Director at Joffe Books, and something clicked . . .

I asked if I could phone from the next service station. It was the longest fifteen miles we had ever driven. I called back and Emma told me that I had won the competition! What a feeling that was! Not only had I won, but Dorothy Koomson had chosen my book. The judges — Emma, CEO Jasper Joffe, agent Susan Yearwood and of course Dorothy Koomson — had unanimously chosen me.

When we finished driving was I able to tell my parents and sister that I had just won the Joffe Books Prize and a two-book deal. There were hugs, congratulations, whooping and some tears. After many years of being in and out of hospital and intensive care, it was incredibly special to deliver such great news for a change.

Then Emma called out of the blue to tell me that Audible would be supporting the Joffe Books Prize with a £25,000 audiobook offer and that I would be the first beneficiary. I was in utter shock, and my wife Amy almost passed out.

Now my book is going out into the world. When I first flicked through a physical copy an overwhelming feeling rose in my chest — inside were my words, my story. I had written a book and it was in my hands and soon it will be in the hands of readers.

I can’t begin to explain what that means to me, and I am so very grateful to be where I am today.

I hope the raven flies and I hope you all enjoy the ride just as much as I have.

CLICK  TO BUY THE RAVEN’S MARK BY CHRISTIE J. NEWPORT FOR £0.99|$0.99 .

More information on the books available here

Severodonetsk early March 22 taken by Artem

Regular readers know that I’m a keen ballroom and latin dancer. With the Blackpool Grand Finals careering towards me far too fast and, it seemed, the whole world getting a new dance frock, I decided far too late that I needed one too. After much research I approached Grace Company Crafts – a well-established dance dress company, based in Ukraine.

Grace Company Crafts were like a dream. A brother and sister team – Artem and Marina, nothing was too much trouble. Under Marina’s instruction, I sent detailed measurements, and within just a few weeks they had made and shipped to me a fabulous plain black dance dress – perfect fit – all ready for me to add oodles of crystals ready for the competition. It all seemed so effortless, and it was … for me. All I had to do now was to imagine myself gliding across the dance floor beneath the lights in the Empress Ballroom, Blackpool.

But hang on, what about Artem and Marina? How is it for them, living and working as they are in a war-torn country ravaged by missile strikes, though Artem had made no mention of difficulties? Concerned, I asked the question and for a moment the imagined lights of the ballroom dimmed as I heard a little of the extreme difficulties they had to overcome in order to continue their business. Though not just them, this must apply to so many other Ukrainians in various walks of life.

It is indeed a credit to the professionalism and resilience of Artem and Marina and their amazing employees, that I had to ask the question, because I really had no indication of the reality of the extreme difficulties and the resourcefulness required just to get that dress to me. This is a little of their story, told to me by Artem.

Artem and Marina lived and worked in Severodonetsk prior to the war. They ran a successful business making dance costumes – ballroom, latin, Argentine tango and more, with operations throughout Ukraine.

Severodonetsk is just 100km from the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, occupied by Russia since 2014, and was itself invaded and occupied by Russian troops earlier this year – you may remember seeing the city name in the news at the time, as Ukranian forces battled so hard to save it. These photos, taken by Artem just before he left, say more than any words could. He tells me that now the city is almost completely destroyed – there’s no electricity, gas and water and many civilians have been killed:

                            A                                                                  B

A. ‘The basement of a residential builiding where 100 were hiding. This is my ‘room’, however I couldn’t stand it because of the rats and smell.    B. Many died in their own gardens trying to heat their food.  (words and images by Artem)

In March they fled their home. I leave it to Artem to describe then, and now. :

‘When I was in the city in March, dead people were buried in the courtyards of houses, because it was impossible to leave and bury people outside the city due to constant shelling. In a few months, a new cemetery appeared in the city centre, there were about 800 graves.

‘We left the city on March 13 under regular mortar shelling. Nearly all of our old team is gone. Only the accountant remains, my sister Marina, who helps me with clients, and the purchasing manager. We are all in different regions of Ukraine now. The accountant is in Zaporozhye, Marina is with Mom, Dad and her son in the Sumy region – about 600 km from me. I’m in Dnipro, where I control the production facility, and there are some employees in Kyiv who help deliver the goods.

‘There are constant interruptions of the internet and electricity in Dnipro. Therefore, we’ve created jobs for several people in different parts of the city. This helps when the lights are turned off. When there is no light on the outskirts, it may be on in the centre so people can work there. Some work in apartments when they have electricity. The guys in Kyiv receive all the parcels with orders from Dnipro. Postal services in Ukraine don’t work now, so they have to take them by car to Poland* and from there send them to the US or Europe. Vika is our purchasing manager in Cherkasy. She was also from Severodonetsk, but can work remotely. My former seamstresses, designers and cutters now work in different companies all over Ukraine. Some make military uniforms, others make winter clothes.

‘Two apartments and a house remain in Severodonetsk. The house has been completely looted. Now we live in rented apartments. But in general, we are better off than others. Not everyone had the money to leave the city and some remained. My cousin Kostya remained in Severodonetsk, because he decided to stay to look after his house and his mother (my Godmother). Kostya worked as a courier for my company. Also, our storekeeper, who has an old sick mother, remained in Severodonetsk. She used to check the quality of sewn products and packing orders.

‘The last time I spoke with the people who remained in Severodonetsk was in the summer, when communication was still possible through Ukrainian mobile operators. Now we receive news once a month from friends who sometimes visit the city. I’ll keep in touch with my old team. They, like me, lost their homes and left for different regions of the world. However, almost everyone plans to return to their hometown. I’m going to restore production and my old team after the end of the war.’

*[editor’s note: They make a 1200 km (16 hours) round trip from Kyiv to Polish border to post the orders]

And there you have it, the story behind the unbroken service from Artem – and just how is all this summarised on their website might you ask? Simply ‘We moved our production to another region of Ukraine.’

These brave and uncomplaining people need and deserve our continuing support. To quote the slogan on Ukranian dancers’ tops at the recent International Dance Championships at the Royal Albert Hall, ‘The War In Ukraine Is Not Over’.

So what can you do to help? Can I suggest three things?

1. You can donate via this Etsy link: Pray For Ukraine Artem will make sure funds go to where they are needed. If you wish to give another amount please message him via Etsy:

2. If you are a dancer or just want a lovely tailor-made dress, trousers, skirt or top – check out their Etsy page or website. They will make to any measurements (I am certainly not a size zero and I’ve been delighted with their tailoring), they will also amend colours, sleeve lengths, skirt lengths or anything else. (Note: At President Zelenskyy’s request Boris Johnson suspended tax on imports from Ukraine – meaning purchases from Ukranian companies are particularly good value).

3. Please share this story on your social media accounts so we can reach as many people as possible

To finish on a happier note, I won Blackpool in this lovely dress from Grace Company Crafts, and the accompanying picture is the fabulous ballroom skirt they’ve just made for me.

So please – Pray For Ukraine.

By Dr K Thompson, award-winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q
http://faitobooks.co.uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice

But before we get to the Christmas tree, just stand back and cheer, because:

The unstoppable CCA team had a positive meeting with the surveyor, and after many lengthy debates and negotiations with Sunderland City Council in relation to public concerns about the demolition of the Air Raid shelter, it has finally been agreed that the Air Raid shelter remains in place and the plans to demolish it will now be withdrawn. Hurrah Hurrah.

Margaret gathers that Red Shoes Bob had a bit of a do getting into position to take the photo – the shrubs bit back. He is scratched, so Frost Magazine is grateful for his efforts and will leave it to Marion to slap salve upon the afflicted parts.

As Marion says, ‘This shelter is part of our heritage, although some work needs to be carried out to the structure to make it watertight, preventing damp seeping into the main building. We knew though we had to fight to save it from demolition. (Girl Power and Brady Blood got us through) Our surveyor is returning on Friday to take some structural measurements.’

‘What a week, ‘ Marion continued, ‘Out and about meeting people, introducing ourselves, inviting people to pop in to our CCA and promoting Frost Magazine, a bit of name dropping works every time (I bet your ears were burning Margaret).’ ‘Well, actually… ‘ said Margaret.

It seems the CCA have a new friend, Michael, whose kindness leaves the team enormously grateful as they took delivery of a dresser (delivered with loving care by Emmaus North East), £10 plus £7 delivery which should have been £10 but they received a rebate)

On Monday Equans had their weekly meeting as usual and Denise from VSA came for a catch up, Richard the surveyor also called to discuss the Refurb, so Frost Magazine bets the kettle was on the boil for most of the day.

CCA has had some info regarding the electrical work to be carried out, so fingers crossed there will be some progress very soon.

John from 999 Fire and Safety came to do the yearly Fire Extinguisher check.

Davey from Equans called in to tell CCA that they are going to decorate the office, and the relief and gratitude was obvious (see picture above). Marion really does feel that these people are totally amazing, when she considers what they do for the Community Centre. ‘It’s beyond belief, it is like having our very own Fairy Godmother. Date to be confirmed but it is all so exciting. The team promised to pop in to our coffee morning later on in the week.’

On Tuesday, the CCA had its drains cleaned, however the assistance of a plumber was needed as flora in the guttering causing some blockage. This was soon sorted out by Anthony and all was well.

There were more hats donated courtesy of Plain and Purl dropped off by Belle Cummings, and collected Thursday morning by Andy Hayes. They are now on their way to Sister Mary with sincere thanks from the CCA to all involved.

Now we come to the Christmas bit. Beth from Equans had arranged to come on Friday to help decorate the Christmas tree. Given that the tree is 7′ this could have been a bit of a do. However the man with the red shoes put the tree up ready for decoration which took 2 hours even though the branches are colour coded. (says Marion – leave me out of it) There she stands in her majestic splendour.

The ‘ last Friday of the month coffee morning’ took place, 10.30am till whenever. OK, it’s supposed to be 12 noon but when they get chatting, usually putting the world to rights, they fail to watch the clock. Well, who does, when you are having fun? Bob, the Barista as the ladies call him ensured cups were always replenished and he apparently never ceases to amaze everyone with his multitasking exploits. They had the most fantastic time, Allison Williams, ASDA Community Champion came along with a beautiful hamper, which we raffled, Linda our lovely cake maker was the lucky winner.

To finish off, another £100 was raised for the Ukrainian appeal. All in all a fabulous week was had by one and all at CCA.

Information: Columbia Community Association  Columbia uk Community Forum

Memories of Brady Square

Let’s start with the Book of the Week, always a good ‘un. This week Joffe offers a brand-new, page turning crime thriller from bestselling author Charlie Gallagher LAST ONE ALIVE which  is out now for the special launch price of just £0.99 | $0.99.

Daisy-Mae is now sure she’s awake. It’s not the cutting breeze or the musty smell that has her convinced, it’s the pain. You can’t dream pain. She is being held down, something tight over her arms, her chest too. Time is running out. Detective Maddie Ives is her only chance to get out alive. 

CLICK HERE TO BUY LAST ONE ALIVE BY CHARLIE GALLAGHER FOR £0.99 | $0.99.

DETECTIVES LENNOX & WILDE: BY HELEN DURRANT: GET TWO BESTSELLING MANCHESTER-SET CRIME MYSTERIES FOR £0.99 | $0.99 – a smashing deal. 

Meet detectives Harry Lennox and Jess Wilde in this great-value box set of two page-turning mysteries full of twists from #1 bestselling author Helen H. Durrant.  Perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, Kimberley Chambers, Damien Boyd, Rachel Abbott or Mark Billingham

A FALSE PRETENCE BY VERONIC HELEN £0.99 | $0.99

A DELICIOUSLY QUIRKY COZY MURDER MYSTERY.  Bea’s assistant’s ex, Zander, believes he’s to blame for the death of his boss. When he asks Bea for help, she can’t turn him away. When bodies begin to pile up, Zander is the police’s first suspect in more than one murder . . .  Will Bea and her gang of misfits be able to uncover the deadly pretences in time?  I rather feel they will. Goiod fun all the way. 

DEATH’S BRIGHT DART BY V.C. CLINTON-BADDELEY £0.99/$0.99

LET’S MEET Dr R.V. Davie, an opera-loving, puzzle-solving amateur sleuth, in a series of classic crime mysteries set in Cambridge by acclaimed author V.C. Clinton-Baddeley. This launches Joffe’s  brand-new list of crime classics, originally published by Ostara Publishing — read on to the end of this newsletter to find out more – get books 1-4 in the cambridge classic murder mysteries series for £0.99/$0.99 each, and while on the subject of Ostara Publishing:

Interesting news: 2022, Joffe Books acquired Ostara Publishing, hurrah, says Frost Magazine. Ostara Publishing is an independent publisher whose remit is to rediscover and republish quality crime writing for new readers.  Under consultant editor, Mike Ripley, an award-winning crime writer and former crime fiction critic for the Daily Telegraph, Ostara acquired a well-deserved reputation for the superlative quality of its crime list: from Golden Age mysteries of the 1920s, to classic spy thrillers from the 1960s, to delightful 21^st century cozies, Ostara has breathed new life into a range of fantastic books which must not – heavens no,  be forgotten. 

With Joffe Books’ digital expertise, they are looking forward to introducing a new generation of readers to tmany new and fabulous books, which is great good news. Hurrah again.

JOFFE’S INDIE AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT this week is on  internationally bestselling author Mel Sherratt

Mel writes police procedurals, psychological suspense and crime dramas — fiction with a punch. Shortlisted for the prestigious CWA (Crime Writer’s Association) Dagger in The Library Award, her inspiration comes from authors such as Ian Rankin, Martina Cole, Lisa Jewell, Mandasue Heller and Clare Mackintosh.

To date, she has sold two million books. All of her crime novels have been bestsellers, each one climbing into the Kindle UK top 20, and several reaching number one. Mel has also had numerous Kindle All-Star awards, for best read author and best titles. She lives in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, with her husband and terrier, Dexter (named after the TV serial killer) and makes liberal use of her hometown as a backdrop for some of her books.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN MEL SHERRATT’S MAILING LIST AND KEEP UP-TO-DATE WITH ALL HER LATEST NEWS AND PLOTTING

Mel tells us more about herself and her work.

Do you prefer writing police procedurals or psychological thrillers?

A: Hmm, that’s a difficult question to answer as I find all my books to a certain element are psychological thrillers. There is usually a ‘whydunnit’ instead of a whodunnit in my books. I like to get into the minds of my killers, so that as a reader, you may feel you understand why a killer did what he or she did, mostly because of their past.

Crime thrillers in general are an everyman/everywoman genre — they feature regular people in circumstances we all dread. They confront our deepest fears — murders, serial killers, errant or abusive spouses, lost children, etc. They are gripping and thrilling but also contain mysteries that readers love to figure out. We all analyse the people around us and readers can draw on their experience and gut instinct, not just to work out the mystery, but whether or not to trust the main character.

Q: What author, dead or alive, would you like to have dinner with?

A: I’m very lucky that over the years I’ve been writing, since 2012, I have been to many crime festivals in the UK and met most of my favourite authors. I actually can’t believe how many, and often get starstruck when I talk to them.

But there is someone I keep missing and that’s Lisa Jewell. Whenever I’m on a panel at an event, she will be on one the next day, and vice versa. It’s very frustrating.  So I would love to have dinner with her, and a good natter about her books as I’ve read every one since she started out writing women’s fiction, and now she writes amazing dark psychological thrillers.

Q: What’s the strangest thing you’ve had to research for a book?

A: Over the years, I’ve not researched so many strange things, as my stories are mostly about social issues, but I do have a fascination in twins. For my book Ten Days, I learned about twinless twins — either a twin dying at birth or later in life and how it affects the surviving twin. It was fascinating to read about how some  feel a part of them is gone; others felt as though the twin was still with them.

Also, the DNA around twins is fascinating, in how identical twins do have differences. Of course, I can’t go any further as that would spoil a plot in one of my books . . .

Q: Who would you want to play your main characters in a film/TV adaptation — any why?

A: I have a few series written but for my main one about Allie Shenton, who starts out as a detective sergeant and then a detective inspector, it would be actress Rachel Shenton, star of All Creatures Great and Small. I’ve met her several times now, as she is local to me, and I remember chatting to her about Allie, and Rachel said that she could see herself running around the streets of Stoke-on-Trent as a cop.

Incidentally, I can’t believe Allie Shenton and Rachel share the same surname — surely a twist of fate . . .

Q: What are you currently reading and watching?

A: I have just finished the second book of the Detective Joanna Piercy Murder Mysteries by Priscilla Masters. As an author who writes about, and lives in Stoke-on-Trent, although it makes me smile to see local readers recognising places in my city, it was only when reading Priscilla’s books that I actually got to experience it for myself. In Burnt on the Moors, I found myself thinking, ‘I’ve visited The Roaches’, ‘I know where the village of Flash is,’ ‘I’ve been to the Winking Man pub’, with a smile on my face as I read on.

I enjoy the books because they are set in the 1990s, so most of it is good old-fashioned policing, with all the bias and stereotypes of the police force during those years.

I’ve just finished watching Gangs of London. I watched series one as soon as it came out, so as it was a while ago, I rewatched it and then watched series two. It was phenomenal. I have to admit to looking away at the levels of violence, but I love that the story is really about families at the heart of it. I felt like each episode was like a separate movie and I just wanted more.

I’m now four episodes into The Devil’s Hour and am loving it for its creepy vibes!

Find out more from Joffe Books here

For Christmas this year, two of Yorkshire’s finest food producers have collaborated to create two excellent  new  festive food gift packs to treat friends and family.

Award-winning Rosebud Preserves, famed for its chutneys, pickles and preserves, has worked with the Wensleydale Creamery, makers of the world-famous Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese, on two new gift sets to add to the popular Yorkshire Wensleydale and Chutney Gift Set already available.  (Available for home delivery throughout mainland UK, you can shop the range at wensleydale.co.uk)

But before we look at the newbies on the block, let us remind you of the ever popular:

Yorkshire Wensleydale and Chutney Gift Set (£12.95) A perfect gift for lovers of the award-winning Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese. This gift pack contains a Yorkshire Wensleydale Waxed Cheese Truckle (200g) and a jar of Rosebud Preserves Yorkshire Wensleydale Chutney (198g), a classic combination of fresh Bramley apples, plump sultanas and traditional spices. A perfect combination, the chutney complements the creamy, crumbly cheese that has been handcrafted by master cheesemakers at the Wensleydale Creamery, in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, to a time-honoured recipe using milk from local farms.

Honestly, totally delicious.

And now, onto the newbie treats:

Yorkshire Wensleydale & Cranberries and Chutney Gift Box (£12.95)  includes The original sweet, fruity, Yorkshire Wensleydale & Cranberries waxed cheese truckle (200g) and a jar of chutney for Yorkshire Wensleydale & Cranberries (198g).  This rich, dark and sticky chutney with plump dried fruits, maple syrup and warming spices is the perfect match for this cheese. Very delicious they are too. 

 Fountains Gold Cheddar and Pickle Gift Box (£12.95)  is a particular favourite of the Frost Magazine team. It  includes a Fountains Gold Cheddar waxed cheese truckle (200g) and a jar of Yorkshire Black Sheep Riggwelter Ale Pickle (198g). This dark, rich, British classic pickle uses local Black Sheep Ale.  It is the perfect match for Fountains Gold Cheddar with its rich, mellow and buttery flavour, with a golden appearance and a smooth, creamy texture. Handcrafted in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales using milk from local farms. Really scrumptious.

Elspeth Biltoft, owner of Rosebud Preserves, says: “We are delighted to have worked with our Wensleydale Creamery neighbours, at opposite ends of the Dale, for many years. Our head chef John Barley worked closely with them to develop these products including the Yorkshire Wensleydale Chutney, a fruity and delicate combination of Bramley apples, sultanas and traditional spices, to complement their most famous Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese.

“Paired in an attractive pale grey box, these sets have proved to be one of the most popular gifts the creamery has to offer and so much so that they recently asked us to partner our chutneys with two more of their most popular cheeses.  Dark, rich Black Sheep Riggwelter Ale Chutney is a perfect match for Fountains Gold Cheddar, as is the naturally sweet stickiness of plump dried fruit, maple syrup and warming spices in our Chutney for Wensleydale & Cranberries cheese.

“They make lovely gifts at any time of year and most especially at Christmas.”

Frost Magazine has to agree.

Sandra Bell, Marketing Manager at Wensleydale Creamery, says: “As champions of local produce, we really value our partnership with Rosebud Preserves with whom we share many of the same values, from the sourcing of local ingredients to the use of time-honoured techniques.

“It’s fantastic that we have been able to work with them to create these delicious chutneys to perfectly partner with our handcrafted cheese in these two new gift sets.

“The original Yorkshire Wensleydale and Chutney Gift Set has been incredibly popular with our customers both online and in the Creamery Shop all year round, and we think these new pairings will prove just as popular.”

So here you have it. Three little beauties – just the sort of surprise that will be welcome in many households this Christmas.

The gift sets are available to buy online at wensleydale.co.uk

 Delivery costs £3.95 and is free for orders over £50.00. The creamery aims to deliver within 2 – 3 working days of receiving payment. To ensure your cheese arrives in perfect condition deliveries are dispatched Monday to Thursday.

In the Shadows by Michael Ashcroft reveals much, but necessarily not too much, of the deeds of the quite extraordinary men and women of the Intelligence Corps, which is one of the smallest and most secretive though vital elements of the British Army.

Wellington realized, (and  the Duke of Marlborough before him, and probably Caesar before him etc.),  that intelligence was essential once he arrived in the Pennisular: he must have information, information, information about the geography of the area and the enemy, and  so set about using those he trusted to source what he needed.

So, what happened during the twentieth century, and up to and including today, to source desperately needed intelligence?

Michael Ashcroft supplies answers with In the Shadows, by shining a light on the British Army’s Intelligence Corps which was only formally constituted in July 1940 but which operated well before that.

In the Shadows includes stories of and  from just some of the courageous, innovative characters who have operated in secret since the first World War to the present day, as they determined to uncover ever present threats. The tools they used were/are surveillance at home and overseas, developing contacts,  interrogating during conflicts – in fact using and seemingly inventing skills various. Add to this the sometimes necessity of going into the lion’s den to achieve their ends and you are getting the picture.

What struck me reading the stories was the loneliness – who to trust in the field, indeed can you trust anyone? It reminded me of a discussion I had with a former SOE agent during WW2, one who was captured, and whose fingernails had not regrown, though some do.’ Lonely’, she said. ‘I was very lonely.’

Add to loneliness  the determination to see a mission through, as is Ascroft reveals in In the Shadows, is apparent, and the sheer courage and endurance of spirit when one knew discovery and capture was the end of all things. All of it unsung, all secret, and – I come back to it – so often alone.

Ashcroft uses the recollections and experiences of those who have served, to create a gripping, revealing and relentlessly tense, though accessible, exploration of this most vital unsung secret Intelligence Corps, without which we would go blindly forward.

Read it, and thank  these extraordinary selfless people.

In the Shadows by Michael Ashcroft hb £25 Biteback Publishing

Recently I met Lisa from Rock & Rose Rituals and she shared her inspiring story. In 2018 she left the corporate world & London behind and retreated to Scotland in her camper van. Reconnecting with nature, she reawakened a deep connection, communication & co-creation with nature, plants & earth elements.

We talked about the studies that have been on water consciousness. Masaru Emoto’s water experiments: water imbued with love, joy, compassion created the most beautiful symmetrical crystals on freezing compared to water imbued with fear, hate, doubt whose crystals were misshapen & dark. Just search his name in YouTube to see it for yourself.

I told her how I wanted to do the rice experiment with my kids. Boiled rice is placed in 3 jars, one labeled love, one hate & the final one ignore. For 1 minute a day someone gives the jar labelled love loving thoughts & words. For another minute the jar of hate is told hateful words & thoughts. And the final jar is ignored. Weeks later the love jar’s rice is still blooming, the hate & ignore are blackened, decayed. Again check this out on YouTube!

I knew we were talking the same language so when Lisa told me how the plants talk to her, inspiring her to co—create her bathing rituals, I knew exactly what she meant. Although I have to be honest, a few years ago if someone had said that to me, I probably would have thought: yeah right. Now I understand & believe in the power of energy & how everyday people are co-creating with the Universe because they are awakening to that innate, intuition within themselves, their inner wisdom & this opens up the door to connecting with source, other realms, whatever you want to call it.

I wanted to try Lisa’s full moon bathing ritual but it had been a full moon the night before? She reassured me I still had time if I did it when I got home. The full moon guided me home reflecting in my wing mirror or side window.

At  gone 10pm I found the ritual instructions & began filling the bath reading the steps required: lighting a candle, turning on the accompanying playlist, cleansing the space with a cleansing stick, drawing an infinity sign in the water imbuing the bath with an intention. Of course being menopausal I kept forgetting the next step & would have to scrabble around for my glasses to read it.

But despite it being a very stop-start process, I finally relaxed into the bath. It was then I had a deeply profound experience: a deep sense of connection; a real sense & visceral appreciation to trust in myself, this was something I had known intellectually for a while but I really felt it. Then I had a series of inspirations & ideas. One of which was to collaborate with Lisa to create a guided experience to accompany her ritual because I absolutely loved it. Hopefully we’ll be doing that very soon!

Everyone’s experience is different because we are all unique but what I find interesting is that everyone is capable of equally profound experiences. I love meeting everyday people who are experiencing beautiful awakenings. It’s a reminder to us that this awakening is available to us all. You don’t have to be a scientist, a yogi, a Buddhist monk, everyday people are having beautiful awakenings. And you can too.

To join Lisa in her ritual bathing revolution you can find her here:https://www.rockandrose.one/#about_us 

Instagram: @rockandroserituals

If you would like more information on how to practice mindfulness, meditation & yoga check out Alex’ website: alexbannard.com

For free resources check out:

Facebook group: Mindfulness & Yoga for Self-Care: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MindfulnessYoga4Relationships

YouTube channel: https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCQlKZJ7MeyYc6lqkv6seISw

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexbannard/