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.
As a mother there are a number of dates that I will remember for the rest of my life , the dates and times my children were born and the day I met my partner, now I have another date to add to that list , this one is morbid and terrifying ,Saturday April 23rd 2022.
I attended what was supposed to be a routine eye appointment, I wanted to postpone it as my daughter wanted to go shopping and spend her birthday money , I mentioned this to my mother and she said “No Natalie you need a eye test , your eyesight is getting worse and you’re having headaches daily, you need new glasses which you will only get from a eye test, I will take you both shopping tomorrow” Knowing that my mother was right I agreed and went to my eye appointment. The ophthalmologist asked if my eye sight was significantly worse , if I was having headaches , dizziness or tinnitus to which I answered yes to all , she then proceeded to carry out the exam as usual at the end she informed me that my optic nerves appeared swollen and she has made me a urgent referral to see a ophthalmologist at a local hospital for more in depth testing , she assured me it was probably nothing she was just be cautious.
The day of my hospital appointment came a couple of weeks later and I had so many tests , including a ultrasound on both of my eyes a MRI scanand pictures taken , three hours later I went home and awaited a phone call as the ophthalmologist needed to discuss the results with a colleague, I wasn’t worried as my eyesight has always been
unique and either baffled or fascinated opticians that I saw. The following morning I had a phone call and I was told I need to return to hospital ASAP because my MRI scan showed I have a series of clots on my brain which is extremely rare and is called Cerebral Venious Sinus Thrombosis (CVST) My heart sank, my blood ran cold , I was terrified and I’m not ashamed to admit it but I cried , I didn’t cry infront of my mother, children or partner because I didn’t want to worry them or for them to see how scared I was.
After a two day stay at hospital I returned home with new medications and referrals to haematology, neurology and opthalmology. For three days I had to inject blood thinners into my stomach twice a day until my oral anticoagulants kicked in.
In the 5 months since then I have been back to the hospital 10 times and have had a handful of telephone consultations. In July I was also diagnosed with intercranial hypertension (high pressure in my brain). Earlier this month I had a lumbar puncture to test my cerebal spinal fluid and I am awaiting the results. The first few months were tricky as I noticed I would slur or stutter when I talk , struggle with hand eye coordination and my attention span was short.
The initial cause of my clots was thought to be a combination of being on the contraceptive pill, having covid , having the covid vaccine and my weight. I will be having blood tests done soon to see if I have a blood disorder.
In August my symptoms had gone , I still got headaches but not daily I received the amazing news that my clots were gone , unfortunately since the end of September my symptoms have started to return and I worry that another clot has arose.
My parents partner and friends have been an amazing support to me and continue to be , I couldn’t do this without them. I always have someone to talk to if I need reassurance or am feeling anxious. I am so lucky to have an amazing supportive network around me. I can not fault the NHS at all , the care I’ve recieved has been faultless and swift. I am so grateful that my mum convinced me to go to my eye appointment and the ophthalmologist was thorough. I have joined a CVST support group on Facebook where I can talk to others that are experiencing what I am which is a great help to me.
My advice to those that are reading this is if you’re on the contraceptive pill then make sure that you have routine appointments, if you have persistent headaches talk to your GP and if they prescribe you medication foe them and it doesn’t help keep going back until something does help, attend eye appointments and listen to your mothers.
Having CVST has changed me both physically and mentally, I have lost 11kg and counting, I try not to stress about things I can not change like I used to, I’ve always been thankful for my parents but now I’m even more thankful ,
they’ve been amazing. And I take the small wins when I get them. Its been a long road and it’s not over yet but with the help of those around me I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
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.
How on earth, I hear you ask, can somewhere like Cavtat be hidden when it’s in every tourist brochure? I mean, why wouldn’t it be so popular? It’s all of ten minutes from Dubrovnik’s airport, has a few super-large hotels of the sort typically favoured by package operators and plenty of options for drinking and dining along its extensive waterfront.
But, like any resort, there are hidden parts and I’ve teamed up with my friend and collaborator on my books, jet-setting tour director Darko Barisic, to sketch out a perfect day in the place he calls home.
It’s important where you wake up, for sure, and I really do prefer not to be in a big hotel or in the middle of things. I like a quiet enclave, preferably with a view, from where I can easily walk to restaurants and bars. So clearly an apartment actually called The View sounded pretty ideal and it was. Perched on the hill between the main road and the resort, from the balconies (one from the master bedroom and the other from the living area) you can see right across the bay to Dubrovnik and the sunsets are spectacular. The furnishings are supercool, it has every home comfort, and is available through Airbnb.
So after waking up, my next priority is coffee, which necessitates a stroll down the hill into town. In terms of shoreline, Cavtat is the gift that keeps on giving. First is the beach in front of huge Albatros hotel, but following the coast to the left takes you into the first of two bays, past a tucked-in angular harbour into the town centre with the supermarket and cash point machines. Walk through this and into the second bay, which is so much prettier, and where there is a run of cafés, starting with Bakery Peco with a stunning view right down the water. But the coffee’s good in all of them.
Next decision could be beach, a boat trip to Dubrovnik, kayaking, or simply strolling around one or both of the peninsulas. It was very hot when we visited so we simply pottered along the waterfront from the coffee shops to enjoy the incredible views and shade of the trees. Then for me it was back to work – it was a research trip after all.
Darko’s favourite way to spend the day is far more active, with a hike on Snijeznica Mountain, which dominates the whole area. A good starting off point is the village of Mihanici, because you can take a bus from Cavtat to there. If you’ve hired a car you can start higher up, at Kuna, a mere two hours from the top. The views are beyond stunning; over the sea, and inland to Bosnia & Herzegovina, but do take plenty of water. And in places you’ll need a pretty reasonable head for heights.
After that you deserve a decent meal and the locals’ recommendation is Konoba Galija. To find it, carry on from the coffee shops in the second bay, but turn right just in front of the old Franciscan monastery instead of following the coastal track to the left of it. The restaurant has a pretty garden with views of the harbour and fish and meat are cooked on the open grill. The fish platter is apparently second to none.
This week Joffe Books have released a brand-new crime thriller from bestselling author Michael Hambling — HIDDEN CRIMES is out now for the special launch price of just £0.99 | $0.99.
This police procedural is being offered at an unbeatable price for a limited time only, and might well be enjoyed by fans of Joy Ellis, Ann Cleeves, J.D. Kirk, J.M. Dalgleish, or Pauline Rowson.
MURDER ON THE FARM BY JANE ADAMS – AN ENTERTAINING COZY MURDER MYSTERY, PERFECT FOR FANS OF AGATHA RAISIN. £0.99 $0.99
Such excitement, and what a boon it is to have more entertaining crime published. Cozy crime is fast becomingthe firm favourite of so many, so really pleased to put this up.
On a bright September day, kindly mother-of-two Ellen Tailor is shot dead while making dinner. Retired actress-turned amateur sleuth Rina Martin and her policeman friend Mac investigate this inexplicable death.
Is there a killer on the loose among these gentle farming folk . . . ?
THE PERFECT HERO BY EMMA BENNET
GET SWEPT AWAY TO THE KENT COUNTRYSIDE IN THIS FEEL-GOOD COZY ROMANCE . Another cozy novel. Keep ’em coming. Romance writer Bronte Huntington lives in the beautiful village of Nettle Wood crafting happy endings for the heroines in her books. But really, she’s waiting for her own Prince Charming to sweep her off her feet. Bronte must choose her own destiny to find her perfect hero.
Now for BRAD FOLEY BOX SET BY BILL SHEEY. Yes, TWO EXCELLENT ACTION-PACKED THRILLERS FEATURING EX-SHERIFF BRAD FOLEY. £0.99 $0.99
Brad Foley lost his badge, his home and his reason for living. Now he must take on any work he can to help get justice for people the police can’t or won’t help.
Perfect for fans of Dean Koontz, Lee Child, L.T. Ryan, John Sandford, David Baldacci, and Mark Dawson.
COMING SOON. A BRAND NEW GRIPPING CRIME THRILLER WITH A HUGE TWIST.
LAST ONE ALIVE BY CHARLIE GALLAGHER 24th NOVEMBER £0.99 $0.99
Daisy-Mae wakes up cold, alone and in pain, her wrists bound tight. She has no idea where she is. Too weak to sit up, she turns her head to the wall.
Then she sees it. Three words, scrawled in large, black letters: DON’T WAKE UP.
Detective Maddie Ives is on the case.
Find out more from JOFFE BOOKS HERE
Halloween and a birthday to celebrate; our adorable little Dudley is 3 years old today.
MBC very kindly brought some ceramic pumpkins for anyone who would like to decorate one. In addition; attached to the Pumpkins was a little Halloween themed bag of compost and a packet of Cress or Mustard seeds. ‘How very thoughtful of them,’ the team agreed.
Marion sent Frost Magazine a message: ‘Would you believe that Colin Rutter responded to our request for a Christmas Tree. Hand delivered by Colin, who just happens to be yet another Brady Square lad and a close relation of good old Ernie Rutter. His hardware shop was next doorto Margaret’s Uncle Stan’s Long Pole.. In addition, he brought lights and decorations for the tree. Colin said I could take his photo when he comes back in his Santa outfit to see the tree all light up.’ I’m sure Margaret isn’t the only one who can’t wait to see Santa screech to a halt in his sleigh, and admire the tree.
‘Last Sunday at the beginning of week 15,’ Marion continued. ‘I dared to post on social media that we needed a sofa for our Centre and low and behold – by the powers that be, the fantastic Margaret Grundy got in touch on Monday morning to say she had just the thing. Margaret had it delivered to our Centre and Hey Ho we have ourselves a sofa. Our community are simply the best, better than all the rest, eee I think I feel a song coming on.’
‘This week Cultural Creatives have been aworking on 3 layered quilt techniques, initially making the top layer, they never cease to amaze me, we are in envy of them.
‘My mate Brian Mason has just dropped off our commemorate sign, he never lets us down. A proper trooper. Bob is tasked with fixing it to the wall for all to see.’
Poppies arrived during the week, according to Marion, who gave thanks to Claire who organised them and Dianne who collected them for CCA. It seems people in the area are actually struggling to locate Poppy sellers so let’s hope Marion’s post on social media brings them along to the CCA centre where they can get their Poppy and wear it with pride.
‘It’s a cause close to my heart,’ Margaret added. ‘Even more so after meeting a 25 year old veteran of Afghanistan a few years ago, who was in a wheelchair, with a portable oxygen bottle lying on his chest,and his young wife of 23 pushing. He had been shot in the neck and was paralysed from the neck down. Dick and I found ourselves wishing we could do something for these lads but it seemed such a huge project until we heard that his family and friends had raised enough money to buy the young couple an assistance dog, so he had company when his lovely young wife was busy elsewhere in their home.
‘It inspired us, and made us realise that ‘small’ was pretty good too. With two of my writing friends we set up a small charity raising funds through writing competitions, Literary Festival days, and many other things like putting ourselves through an army assault course. Just do not ever ever mention the ‘birthing tube’! to any of us. Nightmare!
.
We, including our families, helped those in need, but found they gave us more than we could ever give them; they were such courageous wonderful people. We have closed the charity now, as we live in a different area and things are somehow more difficult to arrange, but still raise funds in various ways: helping hands on with veterans’ writing therapy, walking Hadrian’s Wall to raise funds for a specific need. So yes, really pleased to see Poppies are available at the CCA, as it’s a grand way to give back to all veterans who gave so much . Such a wonderful community association, reaching out to others in every way possible ‘
Lee, a terrific joiner working with Equan arrived in the week. According to the team he can do anything, and is their Hero. Lee was finishing off the Archway in the Brady Square room, along with other bits and bobs. If only they could keep him here full time, they wail; but are very grateful to Equan for their ongoing help.
All the time work is going on, the centre is open for visitors, and during the week, they steadily arrived as usual. Coffee was made, Laptop booted up. Newspaper on the table. Tele on and one day Marion had a good old chinwag with a gentleman who grew up Brady Square, so there was much sharing of memories of days gone by.
‘Whoop Whoop,’ Marion was thrilled to tell us. ‘I have just come off the phone with Darren, Washington Carpet Super Store, who has very kindly pledged a rug for our Brady Square room. All we have to do is to pop in to the store and choose the rug we want. Oh, my giddy aunt, he has only donated four fabulous rugs. Thank you, Sir, you are a gentleman.’
‘Our Friday coffee morning was a great success, and a big thank you Margaret and Dick for accepting our invitation and bringing along an array of books, audio books. Not to mention knitted hats for the Seafarers.’
‘No, no, Marion.’ Margaret protested. ‘Thank you so much. So many memories, and to sit chatting to Jean about my Uncle Stan and Auntie Isobel and David, because her mum worked with Stan, was wonderful.’
Marion was also pleased to see Bob and Margaret were both wearing their red shoes and boy did they look a treat.
‘We certainly did, eh Bob.‘ said Margaret, not given to modesty.
Information: Columbia Community Association Columbia uk Community Forum
“ just on the right side of drama, never veering into silliness”
Blackeyed Theatre is back. I last reviewed them some years ago when I marvelled at their production of Jekyll & Hyde. And, like that time, this play unsettled me at the start but soon won me over.
I think it’s the style. Perhaps the simplicity of the staging, the multi-role playing of the cast, the constant Brechtian reminders that it’s only a play because there is a narrator walking us through the story – in this case Dr Watson. Yet, director Nick Lane keeps everything just on the right side of drama, never veering into silliness.
Luke Barton
As Luke Barton and Joseph Derrington (aka Holmes and Watson) carry the murder mystery along with a serious believability, they also play other characters in this to and fro play. There are many flashbacks to a previous story in America, switching the setting from a Victorian stately home to a Pennsylvanian town that is being run by a Peaky Blinders style mob. Back and forth we tumble as all the pieces of Sherlock’s jigsaw fall into place…
There is a lot going on in this production and, at times, it feels tiring to watch. The rhythm is slow and the pace seldom quickens. However, fans of Sherlock and whodunnits will love it, I am sure.
Alice Osmanski and Blake Kubena
The hard-working cast drag themselves through the wordy script, assisted by a wonderful soundscape from Tristan Parkes.
To catch the show, it is still touring. Or, like me, you could watch it via a digital stream. Like all theatre, it’s better to be watching it live, so it would certainly be worth trying to see it before the tour finishes…
Gavin Molloy
Cast: Luke Barton, Joseph Derrington, Blake Kubena, Gavin Molloy, Alice Osmanski
Photography Alex Harvey Brown
Running time 135 minutes (including interval)
Writer and Director Nick Lane
Composer Tristan Parkes
Set Designer Victoria Spearing
Costume Designer Naomi Gibbs
Producer Adrian McDougall
Age Guidance 11+
Twitter @Blackeyedtheatr
Digital Stream
Dates Available until midnight Sunday 22nd January 2023
Box Office £10 (multi-viewer tickets £15) via
https://blackeyedtheatre.ticketco.events/uk/en/e/sherlock_holmes_the_valley_of_fear
Remaining UK Tour Theatre Performance Dates:
8th – 9th Nov The Drill, Freeschool Lane, Lincoln, LN2 1EY
10th – 12th Nov Lyceum, Heath Street, Crewe, CW1 2DA
14th – 15th Nov Royal Spa Centre, Newbold Terrace, Leamington Spa, CV32 4HN
16th – 17th Nov The Castle Theatre, Castle Way, Wellingborough, NN8 1XA
21st – 23rd Nov Arena Theatre, Wulfruna Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1SE
24th – 26th Nov Viaduct Theatre, Dean Clough Mills, Dean Clough, Halifax HX3 5AX
A bit of flu, then I was strangely without appetite for the greedy granny I am known to be when these little beauties arrived courtesy of Postie. They had been sent by kind and generous friends who know my weak spot. I apologise for the gap in the top row right of the image. I cannot lie, I was too weak to exert self-control and ate one immediately. It was totally utterly truly deeply delicious.
I am horribly mean and usually make a chocolate last at least two days. nibbling it, putting it down, nibble nibble again. Well, this chocolate, dear reader, had the obligatory nibble, but then it went down the hatch in one. So delicious was it. It was then that Dick saved me from myself, holding me back, handing my the phone. ‘Take the picture.’ was the order. I did. Then I had another. Greedy granny was on the mend.
But who are Friars who made these handmade chocolates? I needed to find out more. But to aid convalescence I’ll just have another chocolate while I hunt the history.
Now we have it. Friars have 95 years of experience behind them, That’s right, they were founded 95 years ago by William Long who decided Keswick needed a luxury chocolate shop. Sensible soul. As with Rosebud Preserves which I reviewed a few days ago, the founding principles still hold good. .
Innovation was key even all those years ago, and it still is. To this end Friars have been leading pioneers in developing plant based chocolate with flavoured centres, which the team of chocolatiers make by hand. First they make the shell, then the centre and finally the chocolate is dipped, decorated, and then eaten. Well, eaten by those lucky enough to be sent such a treat. And merely to show appreciation I will now have another.
Friars were also one of the first chocolate makers to start moving towards 100% biodegrade packaging. They use vegan milk and white chocolate and so on… and on… William Long would be proud. Now let’s discuss quality, and though I feel that it is not in doubt. I will have another to reassure myself. Scrummy.
Quality – Readers, there is a tasting panel. Bagsy me! Unless the tasters give a score of 9/10 the chocolate they are tasting will not be offered to customers.
In addition Friars work with unusual continental chocolate brands to bring something different to the UK, but of course, it has to be exceptional. It is. Perhaps just one more.
Longevity – Tradition is important to Friars, and the very first chocolates that William Long produced for his customers were rose and violet creams – heavens, my mum like vilet creams. I can remember the taste, and there was a little frosted violet on the top, but I daresay that was not Friars. However, Friars still make them, and they are as popular today as they were then.
As you can see, Friars are no whippersnappers, they know the world of chocolate inside out, and it shows.
So to round off, I shall have yet another chocolate, because I know you know that I don’t spare myself in the pursuit of research for your edification.Yep, good as I have come to expect.
One more point, for though I personally feel that there are no calories in chocolates unless they touch a plate, this is something I will not pass in front of experts. It is certainly not a theory with which the scales agree, but heavens, these are such a treat one simply has to – have yet another. So do please give yourselves a treat, or your friends and family at Christmas. Then they will offer you one, if not two, I’m sure.
Go on – enjoy. You know you will.
To find out more information go to Friars