CCA is privileged to be able to offer its services to the WASHINGTON YOUTH COUNCIL who are asking people if they are willing to donate pamper products to the WEARSIDE WOMEN IN NEED this Christmas. How very thoughtful, and CCA are  enormously proud of these wonderful young people, as is Frost Magazine.

During the week Red Shoes Bob went off to do training on Life Support, CPR and Defibrillation, ‘That’s another ‘Ology he will have. He does love an Ology.‘ says Marion. 

 Monday saw Equans’ meeting and people coming and going though, sadly, it was the last session for Cultural Creatives.  They will, however, be back very soon with their fantastic workmanship and creative skills. The CCA  loves having them here and will miss them.

Now for an update from Richard, the surveyor, who is still waiting for the Archaeologist’s report for the Air Raid shelter. This is needed  before tthe shelter can be demolished but in the meanwhile the internal refurb is coming along with Marion insisting ‘Evry day is an exciting journey.’

Marion mentioned to Frost Magazine that the CCA had pleasure of the company of Mr Reay who was having his bungalow rewired by Equans. ‘We thoroughly enjoyed his company, and he told us he had enjoyed his breakfast with us, hot buttered toast and coffee. He said he might just make this his daily routine and he would be very welcome. Our aim is to please.

The CCA volunteer list is growing – the lovely lady who donated the hall table  has signed on the dotted line, ‘Welcome to our team Lesley,’ say the committee

Pauline has returned from holiday  and is busying herself recording and tagging the CCA’s assets. She explained that she has a gadget in her bag for detecting the ‘hard to locate’ serial numbers. The Committee think she bought it in Fuerteventura while on a WINE tasting cruise. Margaret of Frsot Magazine is making no comment, because she has been on a WINE tasting day out, and prefers to draw a veil. 

More hats have been delivered from Plain and Purl, so special thanks for their ongoing support.  Sister Mary is overwhelmed at their generosity.  PAT Testing all completed, Service records updated and filed.

Marion couldn’t wait to tell Frost Magazine: ‘Bob did the Vet visit, Rosco’s six monthly check up and his kennel cough (which he hates). Our beautiful boy got a clean bill of health and he was back to work at the CCA in time for the afternoon shift.’ 

Margaret put her dogs’ photo on, as Rosie thought her sister, Polly, looked so silly in her breadface, made by Margaret’s ‘him indoors’ Dick, that she should be seen by lots of people. After the photo was taken, Rosie and Polly ate the breadface, so very there. 

The weather in Columbia has, apparently,  been so bad even the flag didn’t fly, lest it be washed away, and Marion wasn’t having that. However; the centre remained snug and warm, kettle always on, hot buttered toasted teacakes available or delicious soup from 11am.

Lyn Beth and Alan

A huge thank you has gone out from the CCA again for all that Equans  do for them. The lovely Kerry popped in with a donation of pamper products, enjoyed a chinwag over a coffee, made a note of CCA’s end of the month coffee morning and took a pamper donations poster away with her to circulate within the company. ‘You just never know what is coming next.‘ Marion says. ‘It’s like writing your Christmas list, and by magic, it appears. They even ensure that the community are cared for and often bring people along to our Warm Spaces days. Earth Angels, every one of them.’

Columbia Community Association received a thank from Macmillan for  hosting the legendary coffee morning which raised £200 in support of this amazing cause. The CCA would like to ‘Share a thousand thanks with our fantastic community who gave their time, shared delicious homemade cakes and dug deep to support MacMillan Cancer. One thing for sure is we at CCA will continue to be in their corner.‘

Frost Magazine can assure the CCA that many are following the series on the refurbishment  and therefore the community’s activities, and their readers increasingly talk of the power of ‘Community’. Hooray, says Frost Magazine.

Information: Columbia Community Association  Columbia uk Community Forum

Memories of Brady Square

‘Boys and their toys’ were the first words uttered by my wife, as I tried out the New Microplane^® Gourmet series Dual Grater in our kitchen.

As I am the cook in our household, I think that I am entitled to get the best tools for the job and with Christmas fast approaching, I know that I am going to need all the help that I can get. Just to be clear  – on this occasion I am talking of the fabulous New Microplane^®  Gourmet Series Dual Grater – and not my wife, who freely admits that we only have a kitchen because it came with the house.

However, the piles of ginger, garlic, nutmeg, orange and lemon currently cluttering the kitchen made her wonder what I was cooking, and I didn’t like to tell her that it was all for this review.

This dual grater combines two of the most frequently used grating sizes, the fine blade and the course blade.

I found the dual grater to be sturdy and well balanced, less important perhaps for a block of cheese but excellent for cloves of garlic.

The fine blade, ideal for zesting citrus fruits and grating ginger, nutmeg, Parmesan, and of course garlic, worked effortlessly and will be a time saving boon come Christmas Day. As will the coarse blade, that works well with chocolate, onions, and other hard vegetables.

Two blades with one handle is perfect for those times when the recipe demands some ingredient grated followed by another ingredient also to be grated. Prior to this I would be washing the grater and desperately trying to dry it so that I can reuse it for the next ingredient.

The handle fits nicely in the hand, not saying ergonomic, but somehow it feels right.

So, if my wife is reading this, think stocking filler for yours truly, although I would be quite happy to receive this as a main gift.

NEW Microplane^®  Gourmet Series Dual Grater, RRP £34.95 from hartsofstur.com 

Image courtesy of Microplane^®

I make no secret of the fact that I am somewhat partial to an occasional Espresso Martini (although friends may think that ‘occasional’ is a secret well kept.)

I have even been known on several occasions, to select the Espresso Martini as my third course rather than pudding, and no Christmas is complete, without the obligatory cocktail, and Espresso Martini seems a great way to top off the big day festivities.

However, as chief cook and bottlewasher, the making of cocktails seems just one job too many for Christmas Day, especially when there are several other requests for cocktails from the rest of the family. At the end of the day the last thing I want to do is to start making half a dozen cocktails.

But this year will be different, as I have just discovered a pre -mixed Espresso Martini, a combination of Chimney Fire Coffee and Wry English Vodka priced at £24.00

Espresso Martini Cold Brew Cocktail, made in collaboration between artisanal Surrey Hills producers Chimney Fire Coffee and WRY Vodka, by Silent Pool Distillers.

We are told to expect rich aromas of chocolate, biscuit, and blackberry from ethical and responsibly sourced coffee roasters Chimney Fire Coffee’s single-origin Peru Classic Espresso – which seamlessly intertwines with the malty flapjack notes from WRY Vodka – finished with notes of caramel and I certainly got the chocolate, biscuit and blackberry, but perhaps I am less familiar with malty flapjack.

Regardless this is the best pre-made Cocktail that I have tasted to date. It can’t compete with a cocktail honed to personal taste, but it is exactly like a cocktail that one might enjoy in a restaurant. It was beautifully smooth and the coffee and vodka perfectly balanced.

To serve, shake 100ml of Espresso Martini Cold Brew Cocktail with ice and strain into a martini glass. Shake well to achieve that creamy top but it makes no difference to the taste.

So, this Christmas imagine the chef sipping his Espresso Martini mere seconds after the thought occurs. Bliss.

CHIMNEY FIRE COFFEE X WRY VODKA ESPRESSO MARTINI – £24

https://silentpooldistillers.com/wry-vodka-x-chimney-fire-coffee-espresso-martini/

Married to a Stranger by Patricia MacDonald for the great price of £0.99/$0.99

Did she marry a murderer? Emma is living the dream: about to get married, loving her job and a baby on the way. But she has no idea that her dream is about to turn into her worst nightmare and soon she’ll be fighting for her life. . .

Are you ready to stay up all night wondering . . . is the man she loves trying to kill her?  Frost Magazine thinks you should… It will be worth it. And so say many others.

‘Patricia MacDonald is now on my list of favorite authors.’ Tess Gerritsen, New York Times bestseller

‘A jewel of a story — brilliant, polished, and exquisitely suspenseful.’ Robert B. Parker

‘Superb . . . A thriller that stirs the emotions as well as excites the senses.’ San Diego Union-Tribune

*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.

The Coffin Cove Mysteries by Jackie Elliott £0.99/$0.99

More great value. 3 unputdownable whodunnits in one box set. How can you let it slip through your fingers?

If Quirky Crime is your ‘bag’, you must read:

A False Step by Veronic Heley  £0.99/$0.00

Amateur sleuth Bea Abbot and her team are looking into the apparent suicide of a famous drag artist. Beside the body is a note saying, ‘Sorry’ and a pair of red shoes. But what does it mean when the shoes don’t fit the victim?  Leave it to Bea…

Orphans of War By Sylvia Broady   £0.99/$0.99

A heartbreaking and emotional saga set in the north east during the 2nd WW

A heartbreaking story fascinatingly told by a talented writer.’

— Bestselling author Freda Lightfoot

Joffe Books has acquired the gripping new psychological suspense by Max Manning, The Killer in Me, plus one more. The Killer in Me will publish in eBook and paperback in winter 2022.

Max Manning is a former national newspaper journalist. He started his career as a crime reporter on local newspapers in Essex, England, covering police investigations and murder trials. He later went on to work for several national newspapers in London. He is the bestselling author of psychological thrillers Now You See and Don’t Look Now.

In The Killer in Me, Liv Miller is still grieving the death of her sister, killed in a hit-and-run. The driver confessed and was convicted, but he’s going to be released from prison any day now. Soon he’ll walk free while her sister is dead. Liv is struggling with that knowledge when suddenly her world turns upside down. She volunteers to take part in a study of the brains of violent criminals, as a ‘control’ sample of a ‘normal’ brain. That’s when she learns she has all the classic abnormalities of a high-level psychopath. Suddenly Liv’s head is crowded with possibilities. Dark thoughts. Twisted opportunities. Maybe it’s time to embrace her secret self. Maybe finding out she’s a psychopath is the push she needs to exact revenge . . .

“I know readers won’t be able to put it down till the stunning conclusion”
— Emma Grundy Haigh

Max Manning says: “I am thrilled to be working with Emma and the rest of the talented team at Joffe Books. I am already a big fan of many of their highly successful authors and delighted to have found the perfect home for The Killer in Me.”

Emma Grundy Haigh says: “I’m thrilled to be publishing Max Manning’s chilling new thriller. The Killer in Me is an unputdownable foray into a world of loss, grief and simmering fury that explores the simple question: what would you do if it turned out you had the mind of a psychopath? I needed to find out and I know readers won’t be able to put it down till the stunning conclusion either.”

Hannah Todd says: “I am so delighted to unite Max and Emma for the publishing of these amazing new thrillers. Emma’s enthusiasm for these books, her publishing acumen and marketing insight, paired with Max’s fantastic pacey writing and plots means it’s truly a dream team!”

A DARK AND TWISTY NEW PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER.  out on 6th December 2022 £0.99/$0.99

Liv’s grieving the loss of her sister, and knowing her killer is about to be released from prison isn’t helping. Then she finds out her brain has all the classic abnormalities of a high-level psychopath.

Maybe finding out she’s a psychopath is the push she needs to exact revenge.

These great books are only a sample of the new books on offer at Joffe Books. Off you go to:

Joffe Books to find  out more.

“A compact and solid debut”

This is a classic whodunnit book set in and around a murder mystery play. At the climax of Act One, a character is shot on stage and falls behind a settee, but the actress has actually been hit. The audience sees everything – so did the other performer know they were genuinely killing the leading lady? If not, how was the shooting achieved?

Playwright Bertie Carroll, watching his own play being performed, finds himself in the role of detective in this 1930s drama.

New writer Jamie West works in modern theatre, backstage on numerous West End shows. He has a fascination for ‘lost’ theatres, too, so sets his drama in a genuine venue which no longer exists: The Palace Pier Theatre in Brighton. Using archival plans and images, he sets the story in the space as it was when it was at its peak – on stage, backstage, dressing rooms and foyer, including the pier itself – along which the audiences (and cast and crew, of course) had to walk to get to the venue.

Like a classic locked room, the stage is literally set for murder at the beginning of the story.

Death on the Pier is an easy introduction to the crime genre, perfect for readers new to the murder mystery style, full of twists and turns and red herrings. A simplistic Agatha Christie, the plot ambles along at a steady pace with some neat touches. There is plenty to learn here for those new to theatre, too, with many expressions and terms explained on the way to the inevitable conclusion: so, who murdered the star actress? I worked it out – but will you?

[ author Jamie West ]

A compact and solid debut and now this one is published, the second book is on its way… Murder at the Matinee will be released in 2023!

Author Photography YellowBelly Photo

Publisher Brabinger Books

Website www.jamiewest.co.uk/my-books

Twitter @thisisjamiewest

Instagram @thisisjamiewest

Facebook /thisisjamiewest

To kick off the 16th week of the refurbishment, Bargain Clearance Centre in Washington donated two King size Duvets to the Centre, and Marion thanked Lee and Dean, assuring them that they will be passed on to a worthy cause. As she told Frost Magazine, ‘It was such a pleasure to meet them both.’

Add to this the beautiful fire surround and a brand new ‘never been used’ electric fire from Chelsea Savage, which has caused delight to the team, who were enormously grateful. Hats, did someone say hats?? Well, they are still arriving for Sister Mary. Well, not for Sister Mary, but for her Seafarers.

At this point Frost Magazine has to warn all residents that Marion has found a bell. It is one that she is sure she can use to attract everyone’s attention. Oh crikey, down behind the parapet folks. I think she has delusions of grandeur as I heard her whisper something about Upstairs Downstairs. 

All this while the CCA’s room are buzzing with visitors and meetings, including Joy and her wonderful team who have created more amazing artistry. The Diary is still open for more bookings; it’s non-stop, the phone is a hot line, and during the weeek  Marion had just put the receiver down yet again only to receive a fantastic donation from Washington “MIND”: roll of drums … forty-five top quality chairs; ‘It doesn’t get any better than this,’ Marion told Frost Magazine. She added, ‘Once again, the wonderful EQUAN stepped in and put their Box Van at our disposal. We really don’t know what we would do without them. Every one a star.

‘Our neighbourhood scrapman has been and removed some unwanted items; out with the old and in with the new.

The fabulous  “Shake that Boogey” ladies were delighted to welcome Marie to the group one morning during the week. Marie had only popped in for a coffee while Equan were fitting her new kitchen, but left shaking that boogey! A new recruit perhaps.

The lovely Lesley Murray responded to CCA’s request for a Hall table, Red Shoes Bob tipy toed  to collect it and it looks great, a perfect fit.

Now to the bits and bobs: installing a yale lock on the computer room, endlessly sweeping up beautiful Autumn leaves to prevent anyone slipping, especially after rain which is not unheard of in Geordieland! Red Shoes Bob PAT tested the microwave ready for collection. ‘We are donating this to a family who our friends in the Church are supporting,’ said Marion. ‘It is great honour to be able to help where we can.’

David Munneke, Washington Community Furnishing are stars, Marion told Frost Magazine. ‘They gave us a lovely nest of tables.’

Talking about tables; Woodridge Gardens are having a table top sale this week-end and the CCA are loaning them some tables, because it is clear that all muck in together in Brady Square. Add to that the great news that the CCA has back-to-back bookings over the week-end, bouncy castles, discos, ceramic classes, dancing and there is even room to facilitate the local counsellor’s Ward Surgery.

As the week came to a close Marion asked Frost Magazine to include her fervent thanks to all those brave souls “Who gave their tomorrow’s, so we can have our todays”. Lest we forget.

Information: Columbia Community Association  Columbia uk Community Forum

Memories of Brady Square

Bit of a conumdrum of a question, but is it so very weird? For both are mysteries in their own sweet way, one a bit of a coming together of Sherlock Holmes, Watson, Dracula, Jeckyll and Hyde, ( amongst others ), certainly not forgetting Dorian Grey. The other Planting Clues is an absorbing study of the relevance of diatoms and orchids to pollen and plant poisons at a crime scene.

Sherlock Holmes & Mr Hyde is a novel set in Victorian times, with the above mentioned disparate characters skillfully woven into an accomplished whole by ‘Sherlockian’ author Christian Klaver. Klaver waltzes  us into the second instalment of The Classified Dossier series where we encounter villains with varying but invariably horrible abilities,  which our protagonists have to defeat by all means possible. It is sharp, pacey, readable, and with Christmas on the way, an ideal gift.

So where does Planting Clues come into this scenario?

Ah, just imagine if Holmes and Watson  had the know how to assess clues left by plants?

At the very least they would have to access  Planting Clues which opens a new vista in murder investigations, and actually, why not many  other types of investigations? Perhaps missing persons, perhaps robberies with seeds left in footprints at a crime scene… Lord, the opportunities for an eagle eyed detective and forensic botanist are endless. So I suggest Holmes and Watson read without further ado:  Planting Clues: How plants solve crimes by David J. Gibson who has produced a well structured totally readable examination of just how plants have provided evidence in numerous court cases including Ian Huntley ( the Shoham Murders) and the Lindbergh kidnapping.

Holmes and Watson would, of course, have to employ an expert, but how interesting it would be.

Sherlock Holmes & Mr Hyde The Classified Dossier by Christian Klaver HB and eBook £14.99

Planting Clues. How plants solve crimes by David J Gibson. Hardback and eBook £18.9

First let’s consider the new Elderflower Gin Liqueur which Frost Magazine feels would be just the thing to sip whilst enjoying the equally scrummy Rosebud Preserves mince pies,

At just £24.95 /35cl/20% ABV, Elderflower Gin Liqueur  is a heart warming  delicious drink to enjoy over the festive season or to gift to family and friends.

Elspeth Biltoft, owner of Rosebud Preserves, says: “Following the popularity of our Seville Orange Marmalade Gin Liqueur we created a light and bright Elderflower Gin Liqueur in collaboration once again with our neighbours Spirit of Masham Distillery. We devised a wild Elderflower syrup made from the blossoms we gather in June from the hedgerows and coverts of Wensleydale in North Yorkshire, with just a hint of gooseberry to cut through the sweetness. Very generous quantities of young, freshly picked flowers, thick with their unique pollen, are locked into this syrup and blended with gin to produce a flavour like no other. 

“The Spirit of Masham Distillery create a beautifully smooth, flavoursome and well-balanced spirit, to the London Dry Gin method, handcrafting it in small batches, using botanicals from their distinctive Masala Chai Tea and hops to give a lemon finish. To this they add the rich syrup and double distil.

 “The result is a splendid Gin Liqueur capturing the very essence of an English Summer hedgerow, with buzzing insects, small birds, speckled butterflies and wildflowers, conjured in the scent and taste of every delicious sip.”

This new liqueur was influenced in part by Rosebud Preserves’ best-selling and award-winning Gooseberry & Elderflower Jam, so let’s just pop this on the list of delicious buys: Gooseberry & Elderflower Jam (£4.95/227g) Gooseberries 66%, unrefined sugar, water, fresh elderflowers 2%. Prepared with 66g of fruit per 100g. Total sugar content 60g per 100g.The perfect seasonal pairing of sharp summer gooseberries with the muscat scent of wild elderflower. Naturally set with unrefined sugar.

And now, oh Lordy, another irrisistible Yorkshire Callaboration – Mince Pies from Rosebud Preserves and Two Dales Bakery resulting in delicious mince pies comprising sweet all butter short crust pastry from Shipton Mill in Gloucestershire and free-range eggs from Wensleydale, generously filled with Rosebud Preserves Almond and Orange mincemeat.

Frost Magazine applauds the attention to detail that Rosebud Preserves insist upon, and the elegant grey gift box with its clear presentation lid reflects the quality of the mince pies  @  £9.95 per box of 8.

 All the above can be ordered from www.rosebudpreserves.co.uk. but don’t forget the rest of Rosebud Preserves products, which will make splendid gifts, or indeed, just buy them for yourself. But let’s leave the last words to Elspeth Biltoft, founder and owner of Rosebud Preserves and Hannah Parnell, baker and owner of Two Dales Bakery:

 “We have sold our preserves to Hannah and David at the Two Dales Bakery for some time now and have great respect for their values and delicious artisan products. Their light as a feather all butter pastry perfectly complements our Almond & Orange Mincemeat, to create extra special mince pies with a combination of fresh Bramley apples, Californian almonds, plump vine fruits, orange and lemon zest and the added warmth of a little brandy. We really hope that customers enjoy these truly home baked mince pies and that they add a little pleasure and nostalgia to Christmas festivities.”

Hannah Parnell, baker and owner of Two Dales Bakery, says: “When we opened the bakery back in early 2019 we knew we wanted delicious, locally produced jam to serve alongside our own artisan breads and scones. We’ve stocked Rosebud Preserves jams and chutneys from day one and they are a hit with our customers. The products are carefully made with the best ingredients, something that we pride ourselves on doing here at the bakery.

“We were thrilled to be approached by the team at Rosebud Preserves to discuss a collaboration to make mince pies for Christmas. It was great fun developing the final pastry recipe to complement the delicious flavours of the mincemeat. We bake the pies fresh for each delivery and once they are out of the oven, sprinkle them with just a little sugar, ready for our customers to enjoy.”

The Dales Bakery products are hand-crafted using organic flours and long-fermentation methods that bring out a fantastic flavour and texture. They are available from an on-site shop and café as well as through a number of retailers in the area.

If you fancy making your own mince pies, then the Almond & Orange Mincemeat from the Rosebud Preserves can be obtained from:  www.rosebudpreserves.co.uk:

Almond & Orange Mincemeat (£6.95/340g) also available as a Kilner Jar (£11.95/450g)

A great twist on a British classic. Simply prepared with fresh Bramley apples, plump vine fruits, lively citrus and a measure of brandy. This mincemeat does not contain any suet so it is suitable for vegetarians.

www.rosebudpreserves.co.uk