Blackwater Country Show 2013 - News Report

Blackwater Country Show 2013 News report What a busy weekend!  A group of members met on site on Saturday afternoon to set up the stand, and the wind was blowing a gale - 'no real change there' I thought to myself!!  We battled on, unloading the trailers, setting up the field kitchen and putting up bunting and a wind break, thanks to Maurice and his 'Demolition Netting' which worked amazingly well (and didn’t look too bad either!)   Soon the scene was set and the EESG was ready for the Blackwater Country Show 2013.   Sunday was an early start with all helpers at the stand for 7am.  I was ready as I had been up since 4.30am due to excitement.   Livestock started to arrive, and was seen over the bio security mat by head of Bio Security, Wayne, who was heard saying 'All 4 feet on the mat please' as the sheep came off the trailer. Soon all were settled into their prepared pens and were looking happy and relaxed.   Once set up and ready we feasted on Nick’s wonderful sausages and bacon prepared to perfection by Marytn and Nikki.   At 10.00 am the gates opened and we were off!!   Soon the EESG Marquee was heaving with visitors and there was so much to see.  How we have come on in 3 years.   In the Field Kitchen Phil, Warren, Gareth and Vince were making sausages with half a pig kindly donated by Fowler Brothers, while Madeline and her daughter, Hannah, were making chutney and jam, Darren was making bread and crumpets and finally Helen, Belinda and their helpers were providing cream teas.  Oh and nearly forgot, the apple pressing with Maurice and Colin.   Just outside and a little on his own was 'Puffing Billy' busy smoking a gammon ham, ribs and sausages with oak. There was a lot of interest in Billy but sadly nobody free to talk of his good work (note for next year).   The livestock area was filled to the brim with wonderful things to see and do.  Sally and Raj had brought their Goats, I brought my Oxford Down Sheep and Diana the bottle fed lamb and Nigel had his Jacob and Boar Goats.  All behaved very well.   Jean Cairn and Jenny Phillips set up a wonderful wool area with different fleeces and knitted items and sat spinning for much of the day.    Next was Chris with his bees and the observation hive which caused much interest.  It was amazing to watch those busy bees at work.   Then came the EESG Merchandise corner which looked very professional and was run by Agnes and Lewis.  A super display of printed mugs and cards for any occasion.   Toni was having fun on her Tombola stall which proved to be a real hit and her daughter Georgina was extremely busy being in charge of the poultry area and a very good job she made of too.   Terry and Jan had a huge array of plants to sell which they had been growing for months.  I did hear Terry say to one lady who was buying Borage that he had an offer on “Buy One Get 3 Free”.  What a deal you wouldn’t get that at a garden centre.   We also had seed planting for the children.  Seeds donated by Kings Seeds and compost from Upson Farm Sales was coordinated by the Coyne Family who did a great job inspiring those little children. I was told of a little lad, Rhys, who left his planted tomato seed at his Grandma’s on Sunday afternoon and called her in the evening to check she had put it on the windowsill in the sun and was looking after it! Lovely tale, let’s hope he grows up to be a keen gardener.   Lastly, in the marquee, we had Nick's prize winning British Lop pigs who, after tipping their water over a few times and digging around, snoozed for the afternoon.   It was a super day and I know our group impressed and inspired many.  It has to be said we couldn’t do it without all your help and hard work and we are very grateful to everyone who helped.   Well done to everyone and get those thinking caps on for next year’s show; we want your ideas!

Well Done Team EESG!

Breaking News - Piglets Born

BRITIANS RAREST PIG INCREASES IN NUMBERS

 

British lops, Britians' rarest Native Breed of pig have increased in numbers in Stisted on a members smallholding. 2 Gilts ( First time Mums) have had significant litters just a week apart. The first to farrow  Goosetree Sunshine  is rearing 10 piglets born on Sunday February 17 and in the next door stable Stisted Pride, a home bred gilt, is rearing 11 born on Monday February 25.

 

Each litter was sired by a different boar to maintain as much genetic diversity as possible in this rarest of rare breed pigs. Each was mated 3 months 3 weeks and 3 days prior to farrowing.

 

It is too early to tell if any will go on to be used for breeding but any not used for breeding go on to produce high quality traceable pork for local specialist outlets. The piglets are allowed to suckle much longer than in more commercial herds and will gradually be introduced to feed produced by Essex millers Marriages. They are reared slowly on traditional rations before going a short distance to one of the few small local slaughter houses left in Essex at Ranks Green.

 

 

 

 

Guest Bloggers wanted

 

Calling all followers of East Essex Smallholders Group, we are looking for Guest Bloggers on the subjects of smallholding, rustic cooking, food, crafting, poultry and livestock!

I am looking for some guest bloggers to add to http://eastessexsmallholders.blogspot.com. to do a small article with some pictures, a funny smallholding tale or a beloved recipe. We like to keep the blog interesting so please help me! A lot of people in Russia and America are viewing the blog, It would be great if of you would like to share a story with us.

Please email Danni:

Danielle.perkins@yahoo.co.uk

Apple and Cinnamon Loaf

Apple and cinnamon loaf

Kindly Supplied by Clair Coyne
 

Ingredients

125g sugar plus 1tsp for sprinkling

250g self-raising flour, sifted                    

50g butter, diced

 3 or 4 apples peeled, cored and chopped

1 large egg, beaten

100ml milk

Sprinkling of cinnamon

Pinch of salt

Add walnuts for extra texture or more cinnamon to give it a stronger taste.

Method

1.    Preheat your oven to 175C. Place the sugar and sifted flour into a large bowl along with the butter, apples a sprinkling of cinnamon and a pinch of salt.

2.   Then mix the egg and milk and pour into the bowl then combine.

3.    Grease a cake tin and pour in the mixture (which should be fairly wet).

4.   Bake for 35 mins before removing from the oven and sprinkling over the sugar and cinnamon then return to the oven for 10 mins more.

From BBC Good Food website.