Countryside Newsletter for January ’22

Campsite News & Events January 2022

I had a good ‘trickle’ of campers through the whole of January with someone on site every week.

One of the first caravans in January to visit was this micro caravan Go Pod.  (1)  To give its occupants a little more room a tent was attached to it, (2) and  was so compact inside.  (3, 4)  The caravanners said that they had never taken their Go Pod out before May but decided to snatch a few dry days in Dorset at Crabbs Bluntshay in January.  During their stay they spent one day fossil hunting at Charmouth and  also visited Whitchurch church because it was such a special place.

Farm Updates January 2022

The 6 monthly TB testing came around yet again with much moving of big gates to get the animals into the crush more easily, enabling the vet to give them their injections. We also poured (5) something on their backs to stop any “bugs” affecting them during their time inside during the winter. All the cows and calves passed thank goodness. I had the cows pregnancy tested at the same time but one of them was barren so she had to go on to market with the 6 calves. They made good prices and it is hoped that all of them went to pastures new.

There are quite a few buildings around the farm that needed sorting out.. Alisha needed somewhere to keep her two sows for the winter so we cleared out one of the old stables (6) which was full of poultry equipment (which I still use sometimes) Right at the back of the stable was a homemade sledge from my childhood (7) – and couldn’t be thrown away!

We did manage to put something on the bonfire at the end of the day but a lot of it was stacked away in other buildings. (8) Then the floor was swept and “tamped” ready for cementing. (9) Five scoops of “all in sand”/gravel was mixed with one scoop of cement and then mixed with water to the right consistency, (10)

It was then tipped and spread over the floor. (11) The cement took at least a week to dry, as it is winter. The next step was to put up galvanise sheets so that the pigs could not demolish the walls. (12) Thin metal was put on the base of the door and door posts for the same reason. A great effort was made by all to get it ready. (13)

Wassailing At New House Farm, Broadoak Jan 22

Simon and Ines moved to New House Farm in 2007 and planted a new orchard in the same year.  This January was the first year they had ever invited wassailers to their orchard.  Wassailing is a very ancient custom.  The word “wassail” comes from the Anglo-Saxon phrase “waes hael” which means ‘good health’. 

Originally the wassail was a drink made of mulled ale, curdled cream, roasted apples, eggs, cloves, ginger, nutmeg and sugar.  It is usually celebrated around about the 12^th day of Christmas in January.  Wassailing has its roots in a pagan custom of visiting orchards to sing to the trees and spirits in the hopes of ensuring a good harvest the following autumn.

Lots of people gathered in the orchard (14) and were entertained by the Bridport Apple Mummers. Martin Maudsley, (15) a famous local storyteller, wrote this adaptation of the mummers story to fit around the apple harvest. One character was Pomona (a symbol of abundance) (16) and was considered the Goddess of the Orchard.  Another one was Dr Roberts (17) (the person in the colourful coat and top hat).

The original Dr Roberts was a well-known figure from Bridport. The villain in the piece was Golden Delicious. He was the man all in black. (18) Another character was Tom Putt, who represented a very old apple variety. There is always a man dressed as a woman to add colour to the proceedings. (19) (person in black and white at the back of the photo). It was a very entertaining story with a good over evil theme, but the villain was revived by the doctor to lead a better life!

The finale of the wassailing was for the ‘queen’ of the day to put a piece of toast dipped in cider onto a branch of the oldest tree in the orchard,  (20) and then the ‘king’ to pour cider over its roots.  Everyone at the event then made as much noise as possible (with shouting, banging on metal objects etc) to scare off all the evil spirits!  NB The term to ‘toast’ someone comes from this tradition.

The Bridport Mummers were formed in 2017 to celebrate the 10^th anniversary of the Bridport Community Orchard. Mummers follow a tradition of dramatic entertainment that dates back possibly to pagan times although contemporary reference to it only appeared in the late 18^th century.

Martin also introduced a Dorset Ooser into the proceedings. (21) (Pronounced ‘Osser’) Its origins are rather obscure but it was used in village revels, and at similar times of rustic entertainment. Sometimes it was brought to people’s front doors to scare children, and even adults. It may date from the late 14^th century and was later incorporated into Mummers’ plays. Another theory is that it was connected to the ‘Old Religion’ – witchcraft and also linked to the Wiccan Horned God.

During the Mummers’ entertainment, plenty of cider was drunk, and for the teetotallers, tea was served by Ines. (22) When all the excitement had died down we were treated to a delicious meal of  paella (23) served by Blake.

The most surprising piece of information to come from this amazing event was that the apple tree originally came from Kazakhstan in Central Asia a long time ago.  Perhaps Kazakhstan was on a trade route whereby travellers bought apples in this country and took them home to propagate from the pips.  Who knows!

Ganga – Tales of the River in Wootton Fitzpaine

We are so lucky in Dorset to have Artsreach which organises all sorts of entertaining events in village halls. At Wootton Fitzpaine we were treated to Ganga – Tales of the River – Indian Myth and Music. (38) To put the theatre goers in the mood we were offered a choice of tasty curries from a specially set up kitchen outside the hall. (39) This was called “Spice & Rice” a catering company from East Devon. (40) It was delicious. I had Chana Masala, Saag aloo, Dhal, Chicken Korma and Pilau rice. (41)

Then the show began.  Ganga is the personification of the river Ganges who is worshipped by Hindus as the goddess of purification and forgiveness.  Ganga is seen as the mother to humanity.  Emily and Sheema conjured up the fast-flowing worlds of cosmic creatures, celestial curses, wise women and gods behaving badly in this brand new show, featuring Indian stories of liberation, love, life, truth and illusion. (42, 43)

Emma and Sheema have been working together for 10 years.  They met through another story teller and just “clicked”.  Sheema is a composer and sitar player  and is known for her solo work and collaborations.  Emily is a bold and dynamic performance storyteller who tells myths, epics, folktales and wondertales from across the world.  She is an avid story collector which has taken her to India, Nepal, Iceland, Japan and Tibet.  She has also explored stories from Scandinavia  from where she hails.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Martin Maudsley, Ines Cavill, Sue Beckers, Rice and Spice, Sheema Mukherjee, Emily Hennessey, Glen Peach and his staff including Shirley and Debbie.

Bridport Wassail Picture: Finnbarr Webster

Closing Down Of Peach Electrical In Bridport

This business was opened over 35 years ago by Glen Peach after he left the Royal Navy which spanned 22 years. He began by mending washing machines in his garage before moving to several sites in Bridport until he came to South Street in 1987. The store carried a range of electronics, including washing machines, tumble dryers, dishwashers, toasters, food processors, microwaves, gas and electric cookers, vacuum cleaners and refrigerators. (25)

Glen said that the secret of his success was his amazing staff.  His shop manager Shirley, who started working for him in 1990 as a YTS girl, has been indispensable in keeping the shop going over the years.  She was ably helped by his daughter Debbie and other members of staff.  On every major anniversary a special draw or something similar would be organised.  On the 30th anniversary in 2017 Glen posed with his staff for this occasion. (26)  and  Shirley presented Evelyn with a Smeg retro kettle as a draw prize. (27)  The firm had a big write up in the Bridport News. (28)

There have been all sorts of interesting window displays at Peaches Electrical over the years which included Halloween, (29) Henrys (30) locally made vacuum cleaners, a whole range of vacuum cleaners, (31) and the Bridport carnival. (32)

I really couldn’t believe that Peach Electrical was closing last year and managed to find Glen outside the shop with all the closing signs on display during its last few days of operation. (33, 34)  Debbie let me into the shop to have one last look round.  What a sad sight.  (35, 36, 37)   Close to 80 years old Glen Peach decided to call time on the shop,  have a rest and dedicate his time to the golf course –  and he did have a buyer for  the premises. He said that he wanted to thank everyone for their support over the years and that it had been a pleasure to serve the people of Bridport.  He wished the next business, to operate from the shop, every success.