Thursday, 4th September 2014 – “Asparagus” by Julia Colegrave
For our first WI meeting after the summer break, a fascinating insight into the growth and culture of the English asparagus crop, with our guest speaker, Julia Colegrave, describing her successful, local area farming, of this wonderful vegetable, from her beginning first two and a half acres to the farm’s present successful, 50 acreage crop. Julia’s in-depth tale of the constant attention to detail, so necessary for the initial grounding of the plants, leading to the happy expectation of a ten to fifteen year’s good productivity from this first planting, was highly detailed. Of the picking, sorting, grading, packing and marketing stages, we learned all about the hard work Julia and her assistant, have endured over the years. Her burgeoning crop needed much more hands-on assistance than could be garnered from their nearby catchment area, so the farm found recourse to the employment of European workers its best and most worthwhile manner of providing the essential labour demanded by her successful asparagus production. With just one exception, all of her European workers have proved themselves to be more than worthy of being employed. A successful alternative farm crop, conjured out of a childhood memory of her mother’s dinner party asparagus rolls, Julia’s research interest created a life-long viability for a favourite gourmet veg and a highly successful business model for their family farm. Caroline’s vote of thanks for a most interesting talk included her reminiscences of a week spent at Julia’s asparagus fields, assisting with the harvesting, grading and packing and the resultant aches and pains associated with the highly intensive necessity of asparagus farming. The business content of the meeting concluded with a raffle prize draw with a first-prize, for just £1.00, of the £200.00 Denman Dip prize won earlier in the year by member, who sadly decided she could not take up the opportunity of a Denman course. After coffee and biscuits, the Denman Dip prize-winning ticket was excitedly won by Sally Babij with three other raffle prizes going to Jane Curness, our Treasurer Pauline and Caroline our President. A very interesting meeting and highly fascinating talk by Julia Colegrave provided a flying start to our autumn season of WI meetings, evenings and...
Read MoreAfter our August break – September 4th WI Meeting at The Institute at 7.30 pm
After a hot August break, we must al be looking forward to getting together for our September WI meeting. Our guest speaker is Julia Colegrave who will be telling us all about asparagus, and we have a full business programme of matters, events and happenings to discuss, to include Denman Dip, WI Calendar, a swishing evening, the Christmas market, the need for new committee members for 2015 and arrangements for meeting and passing on the WI Centenary baton on Sunday, 19th April 2015. A walk about Hook Norton is to be looked forward to and many other ideas have been discussed by the committee at its recent meeting, and more news about these activity ideas soon. We look forward to seeing as many members as possible on Thursday, 4th September, at 7.30pm at The Institute; we hope everyone has enjoyed August’s hot, summery weather – before the very wet August Bank Holiday weekend, of...
Read MorePimms in the Garden – Friday 1st August – Fosma Event for Adderbury
Unfortunately, I was not able to be present at The Old Vicarage on Friday, 1st August, for Fosma’s Pimms in the Garden event held by kind permission of Sir Peter and Lady Job and should be really delighted if some fortunate attendee would send me their photos to upload onto our WI website? In anticipation of some lovely photos, my thanks and best wishes…..Margaret
Read MoreMedicinal Herbalist Open Garden Walk – Thursday, 24th July 2014
Off to Hadsham House, Horley, to be guided around Fiona Taylor’s wonderfully lush and sweet smelling herb garden and to listen to Fiona’s excellent introduction to the medicinal plants many of us have growing in our own gardens. Achillea, Salvia, Valerian, Angelica, Elecampane, Hyssop, Berberis, Lobelia, Calendula, Thyme, Sage. Garlic, Sorrel, Borage, Mallow, Wood Betony, St. John’s Wort, Rhubarb, Echinacea, Ginkgo Biloboa, Horsetail, Hops, Raspberry, Ginger, Mint, Feverfew, Trillium, Rosemary, Comfrey……her knowledgeable and easy manner of delivering the vast store of accumulated herbal information carried us through her verdant garden; we listened attentively and left feeling much enriched. We even had an “on-the-spot” demonstration of the medicinal herbalists’ skills when your reporter was attacked by a bee settling onto her neck, and angrily leaving its sting in situ, and upon its removal by another member, Fiona applied Lavender Oil to the red and angry wound, to soothe and calm the skin. By next morning, the pain had gone, only a slight redness remained, and your reporter was recovered. Here are a few photos of the evening to whet your appetite for future events….. Fiona is proposing to open an own-product sales opportunity in the autumn …. Too many wonderful views to include! Go see the garden for yourself and enjoy the glorious green and gorgeous herb garden and delight in the sumptuous scents and amazing powers of Fiona’s medicinal herbal...
Read MoreBall Colegrave Open Day 23rd July 2014
A beautiful summer day for Ball Colegrave’s “mini Chelsea” Open Day event. The grounds, flower displays and exhibits were absolutely magnificent and the weather simply perfect. Here are a few photographs to remind you of this brilliant event. Can’t wait for next summer’s event… ...
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