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

The Berry Company have launched their latest product, the delicious Green Tea and Blueberry juice blend with Aronia and Juniper extract.

The new light and refreshing juice blend is gluten-free and vegan-friendly, made from all natural ingredients without any added sugars or sweeteners.

The juice will be available on The Berry Company website for just £2.25 for a one litre carton.

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