EESG Calender 2013

Don't forget to order your copy of the EESG 2013 Calender.

A4 spiral bound with 12 beautiful glossy photos provided by EESG members one for each month, also a space for each day to write those important dates.

The Calendar will make a super Christmas present and comes with an A4 envelope for easy posting and only £8.00 each

The Calendar will be on sale at the next EESG meeting on 20th November and The Christmas Quiz on 8th December.

We are also offering a Purchase and Post Service for just an extra £2.00 to order your copy please contact agnesmaevaharris@hotmail.co.uk

Ascott Newsletter - November 2012

November Email Newsletter

Christmas at Ascott We have some exciting news...this month’s issue is our first new style email newsletter, packed full of advice and information to help you with your seasonal preparations. Gift Ideas For Christmas present ideas we have sourced an eclectic range of gifts for you and your family.  With children in mind we have our Tractor Ted range, including the Tractor Ted School Ruck Sack, great for carrying school books and lunch! Plus the full video range, to keep your little ones occupied over the festive period. For something a little more unusual we have our traditional Swiss Bell, perfect for goats, sheep and cows, so you can always hear them coming! If you are looking for something less quirky and more personal we have our contemporary stoneware range in a pretty spot pattern. Choose from stoneware egg cup and plate or Classic Mixing Bowl and start to build a set. For a final gift idea take a look at our traditional stainless steel Stilton Spoon, a must have gift for Christmas, it delicately removes portions of the cheese without disturbing the main cheese! Recipe of the Month With pumpkins and squash everywhere at the moment and the chilly weather here, this month we are including a delicious easy soup recipe. You will need: 4 tbsp olive oil 2 finely chopped onions 1 kg pumpkin/squash peeled and chopped into chunks 700ml vegetable/chicken stock 142 ml double cream 1 Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large saucepan and gently cook the onions for 5 mins until soft but not coloured. 2 Add the squash/pumpkin and carry on cooking for 8 - 10 mins until it starts to soften and turn golden. 3 Pour in the stock and season with salt and pepper. Bring to the boil and simmer for 10 mins until the squash is very soft. 4 Pour in the cream and bring back to the boil. Puree with a hand blender, for an extra-velvety consistency you can push the soup through a sieve. Serve drizzled with the rest of the olive oil and sprinkled with croutons. New for this Month

Ask the Experts I would recommend a trio of birds, beginner’s breeds like the decorative Pekin, that come in many colours, so that each member of even the largest family could have their own different coloured bird to care for. They are docile and patient. Alternatively, try Silkies, Dutch or Belgian bantams or the massive Orpingtons or Brahmas. If you have a large garden, why not give a home to a few commercial hybrids or re-homed battery survivors? They also lay far more than the pure breeds (try the Battery Hen Welfare Trust www.bhwt.org.uk). Cockerels are not a good idea, a large cock bird, however docile, can frighten small children and put them off chickens forever.

Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Forward to a Friend   If you do not wish to receive ASCOTT emails and newsletters and want to be taken off our email mailing list, then please use this unsubscribe link to remove you from this list. This email has been sent to you from Ascott Smallholding Supplies Limited, Telephone 01666 826931. Registered Office: Units 21/22, Whitewalls, Easton Grey, Malmesbury, Wiltshire, SN16 0RD. Registered in England & Wales No. 4505585 Find out how we protect your personal data by viewing our privacy and security policy. It is our commitment to you in providing a safe and secure online shopping environment. To contact us with any questions, please visit our About Us page. Copyright © 2012 Ascott Smallholding Supplies. All rights reserved. Our mailing address is:  Ascott Smallholding Supplies Unit 21 Whitewalls Easton Grey Malmesbury, Wiltshire SN16 9 United Kingdom

Pear Chutney

Pear Chutney

Supplied by Belinda Allen

This is one of my family’s favourite chutneys at this time of year. You can use windfall or unripe pears and it makes a mild, nicely rounded chutney. If you want a really good, spicy-sweet balance and mellow flavour, leave to mature for three months.

Makes approx 1.35kg (3lb) or 4 medium jars

Takes 2½ to 2¾ hours

Keeps 12 months

Ingredients750g (1lb 10oz) pears, peeled, cored and cut into 2cm (¾ in) cubes
350g (12oz) onions, chopped
350g (12oz) green or red tomatoes, sliced
125g (4½ oz) raisins, chopped
3 peppercorns, crushed
350g (12oz) Demerara sugar
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
½ teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon sea salt
450ml (15 fl oz) cider vinegar

Method1. Put all the ingredients into a preserving pan or a large heavy-based, stainless steel pan. Bring slowly to the boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar.

2. Reduce the heat and simmer gently, uncovered for about 2 hours or until the mixture thickens and takes on a dark caramel colour, and a wooden spoon drawn across the base of the pan leaves a clear trail. Stir frequently towards the end of the cooking time so the chutney doesn’t burn.

3. Ladle into warm sterilized jars with non-metallic or vinegar-proof lids, making sure there are no air gaps. Cover with waxed paper discs, seal, label and store in a cool, dark place. Allow the flavours to mature for at least 1 month, and refrigerate after opening.

Taken from The Preserving Book by Lynda Brown

Recipe of the week - 12 November 2012 - Roasted honey apples

• 4 medium Bramley apples , each weighing about 200g/8oz
• 4 tbsp clear honey
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• finely grated zest and juice of 1 large orange
• 250g blackberries

This guilt-free pudding tastes wonderful served with low-fat fromage frais, mixed with a little honey

Recipe uploaded by

1. Preheat the oven to 180C/gas 4/fan 160C. Core the apples so you have a hole the size of a pound coin in each one. Make a cut just into the skin around the middle of each apple.
2. Stand the apples in a shallow baking dish large enough to take all four. Mix together the honey, cinnamon and orange zest, put an equal amount into the cavity of each apple, then pour the orange juice into the dish.
3. Roast the apples for about 40 minutes, spooning the juices over them occasionally. Then, when the apples are almost ready, spoon the blackberries around and over the top of each apple. Return to the oven for 10 minutes or until the juices start to run. Spoon the blackberries and juices over the apples to serve.

WHAT'S ON IN THE MALDON DISTRICT

From Maldon Event guide

Christmas Fayre Saturday 17th November 2012 10am to 4pm St Giles Church, Langford   CM9 4STStalls, refreshments Cost: Entry freeMore details: Irene 01621 855447

macTheatre present HUW WILLIAMS and MAARTIN ALLCOCK Sunday 18th November 2012 8pm The Blue Boar, Silver Street, Maldon   CM9 4QEHuw Williams and Maartin Allcock met on a Fairport Convention tour bus. Huw’s songs have been covered by many artists and he has contributed to Radio 4, is an Eisteddford-winning step dancer and the brains behind Calen, the Welsh trad band. Maartin Allcock has toured and recorded with Jethro Tull and Beth Nielsen Chapman amongst others, writes for Acoustic magazine and transcribes music books. Together they produce foot tapping tunes, beautiful songs and both funny and captivating stories. Cost: £10 (Advance), £12 (On Door)More details: Maldon TIC 01621-856503

Maldon Promenaders present 'A Night at the Oscars' Friday 23rd November 2012 8pm Maldon Town Hall, Market Hill, Maldon   CM9 4RLFeaturing songs from the Hollywood musicals. In aid of Maldon Pioneers and Little Haven's Children's Hospice. Cost: Adults £7, concessions £5, balcony £8More details: 01621 856503

Christmas Bazaar ALTHORNE Saturday 24th November 2012 2pm Church Hall, Burnham Road / Fambridge Road, Althorne   CM3 6BYCome and join in the festive fun! Find cards and gifts for family and friends. Take part in competitions, or have a punt at the Raffle and Tombola. Enjoy tea and cake, and browse jewellery, books, puzzles, Christmas decorations, toys, games and bric-a-brac. Fun for all the family! In aid of Church Repair Fund. Cost: Free entry

Latchingdon Pre-School Christmas Craft Day Saturday 24th November 2012 10am - 1pm Latchingdon Pre-School, The Street, Latchingdon   CM3 6JSCome and have some seasonal fun at our christmas craft day, make cards and gifts, decorate biscuits and have fun. Refreshments will also be available  Cost: 2's and over £2.00 under 2's FreeMore details: Contact Latchingdon Pre-School - 07773 199835

Maldon & Dengie Ramblers Walk - Heybridge Basin Tuesday 27th November 2012 10am Meet at Daisy Meadow car park, Heybridge Basin, Maldon   CM9 4RPSix and a half mile walk More details: Alan Seager 01621 858071 or Frank Beringham 01621 856176

Queens Stocking Fayre  Saturday 8th December 2012 11am to 3pm Queens Head, The Hythe, , Maldon   CM9 5HNLocally made Cakes, Sweets, Treats, Cards, Decorations and lots more .Just what you need to fill those awkward stocking spaces, plus the ever popular Decorate a Duck Competition.

SANTA SPECIAL Sunday 9th December 2012 10am - 5pm MUSEUM OF POWER, Hatfield Road, Langford near Maldon   CM9 6QAJoin The Santa Special steam train for a trip to North Pole Central to meet Santa Claus! Every child recieves a present and refreshments are included in the price! It is essential to book as there is limited capacity. (Tickets go on sale at Maldon Tourist office in September) Cost: £7.00 (in advance only)More details: 01621 856503 from September

Maldon Christmas Fayre Thursday 13th December 2012 6pm to 9pm High Street, Maldon   Christmas Shopping evening with market traders and charity stalls lining the High Street. Entertainment, music and dancing. 6pm to 9pm. The High Street will be closed between West Square and Victoria Road from 5pm. More details: Tourist Information Centre 01621 856503

Maldon Choral Society's Carol Concert and Christmas Cantata by Geoffrey Bush Saturday 22nd December 2012 7.30 pm All Saints Church, High Street, Maldon   Conductor Dr Gillian Ward Russell Cost: £6 (Children under 16 years free) from Maldon Tourist Office, Wenlock Way, MaldMore details: Maldon Tourist Office 01621 856503

Recipe of the Week - 5 November 2012 - Toffee Apple Cookies

• 
  
• 175g unsalted butter at room temperature 
• 140g golden caster sugar
• 2 egg yolks
• 50g ground almonds
• 85g chewy toffees , roughly chopped
• 85g/3oz ready-to-eat driedapple chunks, roughly chopped
• 225g self-raising flour
• 2 tbsp milk

1. Preheat the oven to fan 170C/conventional 190C/gas 5. Using an electric whisk, beat together the butter and sugar until pale and creamy.
2. Stir in the egg yolks, ground almonds, toffees, dried apple and flour. Mix well together then roll into walnut-sized balls.
3. Place well apart on two non-stick or lined baking sheets and flatten slightly with your hand. Brush with milk and bake for 8-12 minutes until golden. Leave to firm up for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack and leave to cool completely.

EESG Christmas Quiz 2012 - Saturday 8 December