Alcohol is a true preservative in so many ways, isn’t it? I’m not just talking about that jar of cherries in brandy which magically appears at Christmas. The history of a nation, its culture, a whole way of life is so often captured within a fine glass bottle. And no, these aren’t the ramblings of someone who’s already had a few drops too many, at least not on this occasion.

Wine of course is the best-known example – the taste and character reflecting the country, the very soil, the workers, their methods and the love with which it has been made and stored.

The different rums of the West Indies tell a whole tale within each bottle, as do the home-made Rakias of Bulgaria and Czechian Slivovitz.

But closer to home we have our own custodians of tradition. What stories of hardship and survival in the Scottish Highlands or the Lowland moors are stored within a bottle of malt whisky? So many differing choices – their individual tastes reflecting the region, the local peat, the casks in which they’re matured, the pure Scottish air and the struggles of the people themselves.

So I was super excited to discover a particularly special blend of malt scotch whisky – The Guard Bridge, created by Eden Mill. Even the names conjure memories of a distant time.

The Eden Mill story started in1655, when Robert Haig of Throsk was summoned before the kirk session for the crime of distilling whisky on the Sabbath, on the banks of the Eden Estuary. By the mid-1800s this same site was home to the Seggie Whisky Distillery until it closed and was replaced by a paper mill. But now Eden Mill are continuing the tradition in this unique location, which is responsible for the gentle, light character of their single malt, Eden Mill St Andrews, described as having accentuating notes of citrus, honey and delicate spices.

Eden Mill have gone one step further however. By blending their own malt with at least ten other single malts from across Scotland, including an 8 year old, they’ve created The Guard Bridge. It combines the sweet, grassy, floral profile of the Lowlands with the robust, barley-sweet and dried fruit notes of Highland whiskies. It’s described as creamy vanilla with barley sugar leading to mellow oaky spice and finishing with sherried fruit and light warm gingerbread. I can only agree with all of this, I found it simply delicious – many layers of flavour and very smooth.

Even the name reflects local tradition, inspired by the 15th century Guard Bridge, said to have been used by both pilgrims and St Andrew’s University students. 

At £45.00 for a 70cl bottle in a beautiful presentation box The Guard Bridge would be a welcome gift for any devotee of malt whisky.

Unusually, Eden Mill also produces some rather good gins, using finest botanicals combined with traditional distillation techniques and modern innovation. I’m particularly impressed by their Passion Gin – a fusion of passion fruit, coconut and orange, which comes as a very attractive gift set with a beautiful hand-made candle for £45.

So I’m planning to have a very merry Christmas. How about you?

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.

Richard Charkin has always been forward thinking. I was lucky enough to witness this first hand at Heinemann which published many of my early novels. Lord they were so forebearing with a new author who was inundated with 4 children, and probably whiffed of fish fingers. Nonetheless, led by Charkin, they all, and my fabulous editor Sue Freestone, taught me all I know. He is also superb company but that goes without saying. Now, as CEO and Founder of Mensch Publishing he breaks exciting ground yet again, as he tells Frost Magazine that all titles will be produced and distributed using PoD technology and decentralised distribution, in partnership with Ingram Content Group.

in partnership with Ingram Content Group from 1st December. Charkin, who is also co-chair of the IPA’s climate committed programme ‘Publishing 2030 Accelerator’, described the decision as driven, most importantly, by the much lower environmental impact, as well as high quality production values and global, constant availability. After working closely with Bloomsbury over the last four years, the move marks an important next step as the business expands.

Richard Charkin, said: “In four years Mensch has grown with a roster of authors and books to be proud of and has developed a number of innovations in the speed and processes of the book industry. I couldn’t be happier with the unstinting and brilliant support from Bloomsbury worldwide without which we could never have achieved our and our authors’ goals. Now we are starting a new chapter in keepingwith the necessity to build a more environmentally sustainable business whilst growing sales. We have been working with IngramSpark in parallel with Bloomsbury and now is the time to take the plunge and
use Ingram’s global comprehensive distribution and production infrastructure for all our titles, past, and future. In addition we shall be using state-of-the-art automated advertising in conjunction with Shimmr enhancing discoverability and sales.”

David Taylor, Senior Vice President at Ingram, said: “We’ve enjoyed a great relationship with Mensch and it’s exciting to be able to help them even further as they grow their publishing programme. Ingram’s growing global network of wholesale distribution points linked to state-of-the-art print-on-demand allows publishers to get books to their readers in ever more effective and innovative ways. Simultaneous global publishing in multiple markets and formats is a powerful tool for publishers to use – and they are increasingly doing so. Mensch are in the vanguard of this trend.”

Mensch has been responsible for numerous successes in recent years, including I Fear for this Boy, a memoir by renowned jewellery designer Theo Fennell, which was named 2022 Book of the Year by Spectator World and reviewed by William Boyd and Stephen Fry; Delia Smith’s You Matter, a call to action for self-awareness and confidence in the 21st century from Britain’s most-trusted food expert; and We Danced on Our Desks by former Sunday Times Magazine writer, Philip Norman, about his experiences at the publication during the height of its popularity in the 60s and 70s.The first book to be published under the partnership will be Good Scammer by Guy Kennaway ( today – 7thDecember), whose backlist with Mensch will be simultaneously released in paperback.

Described as one of the UK’s best new writers, Kennaway’s previous books include Bollinger Wodehouse Everyman Prize for Comic Fiction winner The Accidental Collector, his acclaimed memoir about assisted suicide, Time To Go, and his most recent memoir Foot Notes, co-authored with his relative Hussein Sharif. So on soars Mensch, going from strength to strength – why are we not surprised. Bravo Richard Charkin.

There are some marvellous plot twists and unexpected effects, but you will find no spoilers here”

“

Pantomime in Watford? Bring it on!!! … But hold on a cotton-picking minute… ‘Traditional’ this isn’t. It’s set in 1999 – and a new millennium happens at the stroke of midnight. Eek – additional peril!

Most of the expected jokes, characters and routines are present, but Teresa Burns’ script is allowed free imaginative rein and the vast majority of the songs are 1990s classics. Cinderella’s best friend isn’t Buttons – no, it’s her toy Furbey, brought to life by the Fairy Godmother Fanny G. Of course!!

[Fanny G and Cinderella with dancers]

Terence Frisch plays Fanny G and controls most of the action with a very steady pair of hands. Cinderella (neatly played by Soleil Quarless) is joined by an unusual BFF, the afore-mentioned Furbey brought to life by the excellent Mark Pearce – who doubles up as the King, too.

[Cinderella with her BFF Furbey]

The Prince is beautifully nerdy, brought to life by the brilliant Samuel Wolstenholme.

[The Prince]

Drizelda makes her presence known, as you would expect. Along with her daughters: Britney and Christina (Lucyelle Cliffe, Lucia Vinyard and Luke Farrugia respectively). There are some marvellous plot twists and unexpected effects, but you will find no spoilers here!! … oh, no you won’t!

[Britney, Drizelda and Christina]

Although it runs at 2 and a half hours – a tad too long! – the sets and costumes are glorious and extremely colourful. Cinderella hits the spot and the audience loved it. Many of the 1990s references may only make sense for the adults, but there is more than enough for the children to enjoy…

4 stars

Paul Vates.

Photography Greta Zabulyte

Writer Teresa Burns

Director James Williams

Choreographer Erina Lewis

Designer Cleo Pettitt

Musical Director Ellie Verkerk

Running Time 2½ hours (with an interval)

Dates until Sunday 31st December 2023

Check with the theatre for show times

Venue Palace Theatre, 20 Clarendon Road, Watford WD1 7UZ

Tickets https://watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk/events/cinderella/

£13 – £38.50 (£11 – £36.50 concessions)

Social Media @WatfordPalace

As Christmas swiftly approaches, you may find yourself scrambling to find fun and unique gifts for the cocktail fan in your life. I am never one to shy away from a cocktail and I have spent many years working behind a bar and I have to say that these items are purely genius.

First up are these quirky glasses that are a bottle opener , they are sturdy and slender , perfect for camping and travelling.

Le Corbusier’s Glasses Bottle Opener, £15 from Royal Academy – www.shop.royalacademy.co.uk

Next up is a game called corks, this is not a quiet game – it will lead to lots of laughter and fun. This can be enjoyed by all the family or amongst friends during a festive get together. The fun is infectious.

Corks Game, £21.99 from Ginger Fox www.gingerfox.co.uk

As soon as I heard of this one I thought to myself ‘why hasn’t this been done before ? It’s so simple , especially now that most straws are paper and fall apart quickly in your drink, which is not ideal when you’re drinking a long drink or cocktail and it needs the occasional stir. This is a reusable metal straw with a heart on the bottom which acts as stirrer, so you have a straw and stirrer in one, these would be a great addition to any home bar.

Heart Spoon Straw, £7 from Kikkerland – www.kikkerlandeu.com

If you are like me and prefer to measure your spirits when you’re drinking at home then this measure and stir spoon is for you, the top allows you to accurately measure your drinks in either ml or oz, which ever you prefer, then once you have added the mixer you can use the spoon to stir and enjoy.

Measure & Stir, £13 from Kikkerland www.kikkerlandeu.com

Into Thirsk we went, by bus of course. Yes, we could have walked but we had a day off and meant to enjoy ourselves. First we tumbled into The Golden Fleece, https://goldenfleecehotel.com/ famous for its coffee and three Maltesers. But hey, this is December, so the Maltesers are out, and in with mince pies. Yep, we’re in the Christmas month.

After sinking into our armchairs, to eat our first mince pies of December, it was time for a saunter. There in the Market Square, opposite The Golden Fleece, we saw that the Yarnbombers had decorated for Christmas.

After a bit more of a toddle, surely it must be lunchtime. So back to Carlton Miniott and The Old Red House for a pub lunch. Oh yes please, after all it was a very small mince pie with our coffee. But let’s keep with the pie theme, eh? Pie and Chips? Well you can’t get much more pubby than that. Was it good? I should say so, the wine too though Dick had beer. The Old Red House operates beneath the calm hand of Kirsty who is lovely, and it is really the station pub, as it’s just opposite the junction. It was there we had stood last week, to see a steam train come through. https://www.facebook.com/theoldredhousethirsk/

But heavens, our day was not done, indeed not. The dogs were to be walked, so off we trotted, and some time later returned, puff pant, and managed to pick up a packet of Grandma Wild’s Brandy Mince pies from Carlton Stores and Post Office. Well, it is the month of Christmas and the short pastry is sublime, and the filling pretty darned good.

How lucky we are to live in Carlton Miniott, Thirsk. We really really are.