Historical & Garden Delights ?? This year I had the pleasure of
showing the previous owner of Druidstone round the gardens. She remembered
the smell of freesias in the hall on arrival in 1935 and could help
with the history of the South African plants “brought back in
her Aunts slippers” in the 1930’s. Her husband, David Edwardes,
with Jack Wheeler, excavated the pond and moved all the large stones
to make the banks of the water garden. I am going to take up growing
freesias in my dotage, so if anyone has any advice I am sure I will
be looking for help. ??A few weeks later I had a phone call from the
daughter of a Nanny who had worked here in the 1930’s for the
Kensington Family. She remembered David Edwardes’ parents and
had looked after their children ? Longer ago again, on both the 1861
and 1871 Census there was a vicar living here called Berrington. He
had a curate to run the parish of Nolton and had married a Miss Stokes
from Cuffern. According to the Census he had quite a number of children
and this year we have entertained a great great grand daughter for a
few days. Her great Granny was Arrabella Berrington who was one of a
whole range of Berrington’s with gaps between their front teeth.
Some will know the significance of this! They all return to Druidstone
eventually.????
|
Achievements
Here’s one for “What’s
my Line”
Remember Will Nix who climbed Kilimanjaro a few years ago. Well guess
how he has managed to incorporate his hobby into his career? He is an
“Industrial Roped Access Technician” That means that he
climbs and abseils to inaccessible places and then repairs, cleans and
gardens for a living! If any of you Druidstonians have more interesting
jobs let us know and we will add you to the list of eccentric wage earners! |
RETURN
TO ACTING as George in “OF MICE AND MEN”, Larry Allan really
achieved this year. Larry completed the amateur leg of the Tour de France,
finally conquering Cap Ventout two years late, The first time he got
within 3K of the top and the race was stopped because of a blizzard!
After ten years of writing his come back to acting was equally brilliant,
the cast received standing ovations at least twice in the run and lots
of people were reduced to tears by the subtle interpretation. Two super
achievements in one year… what will the third be? |
DON’T
FORGET VALLEY KIDS!
Take
a look at their website www.ValleysKids.org
They have “gone global” with exchanges to Russia and the States.
Their Art is multicultural and they make films at the Pop Factory. Now they
want to buy a house on the Gower for holidays similar to the Druidstone Prince’s
Trust Project. Get in touch to help them…..]
PRINCE’S
TRUST SUNSHINE HOLIDAYS ARE ACHIEVING SO MUCH……
2004
will be our fifteenth year of offering Vivienne Bowen Morgan’s Sunny
Days to children. From the beginning, the time offered has risen from 8 children
for one week to 15 children for each of 12 weeks a year. This means that between
150 and 200 children from difficult environments are visiting for five days,
eating good food without additives, playing without Play station and gaining
confidence flying kites, building sandcastles on the beach, handling fish
at the Oceanarium, visiting the Cathedral, trying archery, visiting the Lifeboat,
bowling, singing and dancing…..
Prince’s Trust Druidstone Project that has now provided holidays for
close to 2000 children….. some of them have even returned as volunteers.
This year gorgeous Geriant, who made jam tarts with me in 1991, was a volunteer.
What a difference 10 years makes! Charlotte Alexander, Director General (Financial
Management) from The Ministry of Defence deserves a medal for completely filling
the volunteer quota for the last course in 2003. And as for Vivienne Bowen
Morgan, if anyone has the influence she should be the first woman to be Knighted—nothing
less. Her work, indeed her life is so “full” - she never wastes
a minute and she has a degree of caring that is exceptional. Her team is a
credit to her dedication. Their patience and solidarity in times of stress
is truly honourable. Honour, now there is a word! The dictionary says “high
respect, public regard” and “adherence to what is right”.
Certainly in the case of Viv’s Team that is true. Our thanks go out
to Viv, Jamie, Wyn, Lisa, Sue, Sian, Dean and all the other team members at
Llanelli Town Hall.
We
are deeply sorry to hear of Andy Miller’s struggle with tumours. He
was such a strength in the development of the Prince’s Trust holiday.
His determination and plain speaking kept us realistic. I sincerely hope these
attributes are helping him to this day.
WEDDINGS AT
DRUIDSTONE
This year we were privileged to arrange the weddings
of two of our ex-team members. John Lewis (sometimes known as Rip Curl or
Gorgeous John) married the lovely Zoe Burgess in Talbenny Church on the cliff
near Little Haven and then came to Druidstone for a hot meal and a bit of
a knees up. Jenny and Fred, now living in France also married in Church came
to Druidstone for a good big family party on the best possible September Day.
Sitting outside till long after dark, the French contingent could not believe
what Pembrokeshire had to offer. Lovely weather, terrific food and fireworks
that were better than Bastille Day! WOW!
Jenny
and Fred on a glorious day in September
Happy days for John and Zoe in May
AND
IN 2004 Guests who first visited in 1972 with three tiny daughters, married
off their eldest at Druidstone a few years ago, and are now entrusting us
with another wedding for their third daughter. Neighbours who held their 40th
and 50th birthdays and their daughter’s wedding here are now celebrating
their joint 60th in the middle of the summer. We must be doing something right……
or maybe they just like us to take the risks and deal with the washing up!
The
geodesic dome has proved so useful in 2003 that we decided to buy it, complete
with its little domes, the floor and carpet. It takes two days to up but,
when we are not using it, we will hire it out to other venues. The big one
is 12 metres diameter and the two small ones are 5.8 metres. Contact Druidstone
for details…..
Rowing
to keep fit
A local Rowing Club has offered places in their boat for training sessions.
You can row or cox with either a male and female crew for a contribution to
their funds!
THE
DRUIDSTONE SCHOOL OF COOKING !
A combination of wholesome, good housekeeping and exciting, emphasising “instinct
and fusion” rather than “classical or specific” - We have
seriously started passing on the skills! Angus is a far better teacher than
I ever was and Donna is now qualified as an assessor for National Vocational
Qualifications through the Pembrokeshire College. This means that, hopefully,
all of us, including Cheffy Jon and Carol, are passing on a degree of conventional
training as well as keeping the thrill of finding a new combinations of ingredients.
So it is no longer essential to leave the comfort and joy of the Druidstone
Kitchen to get those essential qualifications or to increase your perspective
on life!
A LETTER FROM LIZ NOBLE, A BRAVE ADVENTURER
FINDING OUT THAT SHE IS NOBLE BY NAME AND BY NATURE
Kenya
was a very big adventure. Incredible poverty and disease, no infrastructure
and little opportunity, run along side optimism, enthusiasm and faith in large
measure. It is hardly surprising that Africa is on it’s knees; hardly
anybody is in a job that yields taxes so the schools and hospitals cannot
be funded out of government resources because there are none. Every thing
on sale doesn’t work; the washing up liquid comes as a paste, the soap
does not froth, gloss paint is like skimmed milk and runs down the walls without
sticking, emulsion hasn’t been invented. The paintbrushes shed bristles
all over the wall as you go and the turps isn’t.
The clothes that we took with us went directly to kids on the self-help project
and I gave all the medical supplies, including syringes and condoms, to the
clinic doctor for use on a free medical day which our money also funded. Dr
Kennedy and his doctor friends worked a twelve hour day at the clinic along
with six nurses. The total staff bill for their time was £32 and they
treated 1300 people who arrived on the day – malaria, cholera, dysentery,
typhoid and eye disease. I have never felt so useless or so humble; the most
useful thing I did was pick the stones out of the rice for a lunch they did
not stop to eat. When the queue was at it’s longest and the sun high
in the sky the patients sat outside and sang in Swahili and I cried into the
rice until, eventually someone suggested, quite politely, that I might as
well go home!
The people in Kakamega welcomed us with warmth, generosity and a level of
spirituality that we appear to have discarded in England. Wealth is indeed
an accident of birth and the unfairness of it rankles. There is a strong dependence
on the church and Christianity – a bit too happy clappy for me –
The churches are packed and on a Sunday the roof is lifting off every other
building in the town with the volume of their singing.
We spent a lot of time at the project base, on the site of an old Ministry
of Works Canteen, organising play activities for kids who had no experience
of play and really didn’t understand what we were driving at when we
asked them to colour or to draw. Using scissors was a mystery and had to be
abandoned.
It is my intention to be in Kakamega again next summer. I am presently collecting
carpentry tools, spectacles and bed sheets as well as cash to fund the building
of a boarding house for AIDS orphans who are billeted in homes around the
town, often with adults who treat them as slaves.
Many thanks to al those who have supported the project in Kenya to date.
To help Liz e.mail her at
tlcunit@therfield.surrey.sch.uk
The
ARTS
NEW
EMBER CD
Back
from there packed Glastonbury Gig.
Is your obsession with Ember driving the neighbours up the wall? Ember
sympathises, and therefore Emily, Rebecca and Nick have made a new CD
(featuring guest musician Emma Bryden on cello alongside the stunning
harmonies, violin, guitar and percussion that you've come to love) They would
like you to know that (as far as the neighbours are concerned) 'a change is
as good as a rest'! Order your copy of Land Under Water now, or ask for it
directly at the hotel bar. Pre-orders are welcomed - only £12 including
p+p!
Email the trio at ember@embersong.com or visit their website for news:
www.embersong.com
EXHIBITIONS
AT DRUIDSTONE
Hopcyn
Huw Henry (graduated from being “best barman” to “FOH”)
has started a very successful rotating Exhibition in the Bar at Druidstone.
“Hurdwood’s Heads”, small portraits of many local “faces”,
were followed by Graham Stewart’s “Horizons”. Sarah Davies’s
“Waves” sold very well. Faith Needle and Victoria Hilton both
sold two wich, was followed by Jonothan Lear's Paintings, Andy Davies Photographs
and the Iminitable Cledwyn St.davids Williamston's Things. Next year—Rod's
local Flowers, Hannah Mulder, Liz Canton & Jez Waltons’s, latest
works…..If you would like to make an exhibition of yourself in the Bar
please contact webmaster@druidstone.co.uk
DRUIDSTONE
THE CD
Is selling well… very well. At
£12 it has received some wonderful comments… “like taking
a piece of Druidstone home with you” .. One guest has 3 copies, one
for the house, one for the flat and one for the car! We also heard a rumour
that one “serious enquiry” was asking for 10,000 copies! Nothing
seems to have come of it though. In addition we stock CD’s of EMBER,
the amazing trio of unique Troubadour Songs, NAYFE, whose original tracks
have wowed the “in” eating houses of Cardiff and, we understand,
in Australia. JAM CRISP’S soundtrack from OF MICE AND MEN and TIM WILLIAMS’,
new BUZZARDS CD “SKULLSHRUBBERY” are also on sale here or from
their web site http://www.our-piece-of-heaven.co.uk/buzzards.htm
THE MARK PERRY
STORY
We
had a fabulous week at the Dru’ that Easter! The weather had been unseasonably
hot, balmy days and cold crisp nights, the stars shone even more brilliantly
than usual it seemed. However all good things come to an end and I was at
the desk paying my bill and talking to Jane. The discussion was wide-ranging
as usual, the topic this time being the Millennium Stadium, recently completed
and having hosted the last Rugby World Cup. As we talked another guest was
arriving with her family and she joined in our conversation (as is the way
at the Dru!). It transpired that she worked for a charity based in the Rhondda
called Valleys Kids. It also emerged that she played tenor sax in a band called
Wonderbrass. I mentioned that I was involved with Brecon Jazz and that I’d
played the trumpet when in school but that it had been in the attic gathering
dust for 20 years. This was my first meeting with Denise Lord and her husband
Larry. That was it – the connection (there’s always a Druidstone
connection!). Denise invited me to come to the next Wonderbrass rehearsal.
The trumpet came out of the attic and was dusted down and overhauled. My embouchure
went into training and I was playing my first gig with Wonderbrass a month
later. Since then the band has played in gigs all over the Country (including
several at Druidstone, The Torch Theatre and Brecon Jazz). My firm (Hugh James
Solicitors) has supported Valley’s Kids (those of you who know Denise
won’t be at all surprised by this! Www.ValleysKids.org) and all this
arose from a chance conversation at the desk at the Dru’ with Jane being
the catalyst for the mix. Here’s to the next life adventure emanating
from the Dru’.
(link)
If
you have not yet had the delight of seeing Wonderbrass in action or buying
the CD contact Denise for enquiries and bookings (01443) 405029
Thanks to Mark Perry for this little story of a turning point in time
All Roads lead to Druidstone
www.chipchip.net
Sadly
for us Darren Yeadon has departed for Italy. He did a stone carving workshop
with the guests over Spring Bank Holiday weekend and we have the head at the
end of the Garden to prove it. He sold four sculptures as a result of the
workshop. He has moved to Italy, to work in Carrerra, the quarry where Michelangelo
got his Marble. We are trying to get him back but will probably seek out some
other talent to inspire the guests with a special this year!
Chipping away at the old block. Good practice for
a Member of Parliament. Bob Marshall Andrews exercising his skill on another
block of Northern Sandstone.
DRUIDSTONE
BECOMES A RADIO FOUR BORE
Sheila
Dillon came to record part of another food programme at Druidstone. The subject
was 'resolving conflict through shared cooking and eating'. Sheila interviewed
children on a prince's trust holiday about the place that food plays in their
lives... It was on the morning that England lost to Brazil in the world cup!
We served slices of watermelon at half time.We also felt privileged to be
part of a programme that talked of gethering Palestinians and Israelis around
a table for discussion and food. Shw had written about her favourite walk
here with such passion that it was chosen for broadcast.Last but by no means
least Bob Marshall Andrews declared that the Druidstone was his favourite
place on 'Any Questions'.Never mind that he told the world that the roof leaks
and there are no bath plugs! The writ is on the way Bob.....
Recipes.............
Druidstone specials "Dont
try this at home" (just in case you get too good at it! )
Jane - Smoked Haddock Pancakes.
Gently poach some undyed Haddock
fillet in milk. Finely chop some red onion or leeks and fry in butter until
soft, add flour and, steadily, the milk from the Haddock poaching until
you have a thickish white sauce. Add blanched broccoli or spinach, small
lumps of smoked cheese and the poached haddock carefully removing skin and
bone without breaking up the fish too much. Roll in a pancake, top with
a little more cheese and a swirl of cream and bake in the oven until sizzling.
Eat at once with a Tomato and Basil Salad.
Angus - Grey Mullet with Sharp Sauce.
Place the skinned fillet of mullet
in a buttered oven proof dish. Take the zest and juice of one lemon,
add an equal quantity of your favourite salad dressing and pour over the fish..
As an optional extra you can add green peppercorns or diagonally cut spring
onions. Put the dish into the oven and cook for 5-10 minutes. Serve
immediately with new Pembrokeshire potatoes and homegrown runner beans.
John Lewis- Steak Doreen
Take one 8-10 oz Fillet Steak,
put it on it's side and cut into 3-4 slices. Dip each slice in beaten
egg then into seasoned flour. Heat 6 tbsp Olive oil in a frying pan
until hot but not smoking. Add 4 sprigs of Rosemary and 4 roughly chopped
cloves of Garlic. Place floured pieces of steak in the pan until light
crispy brown on both sides. Serve with Roasted Mediterranean Vegetables
or CHIPS (ha,ha,ha) AND I reckon a nice bottle of Chianti or Rioja.
from Rod - Lamb Curry
Cube a Leg of Lamb, saw bones
into 2" lengths. Season meat and bones with 1.5 teaspoons of each
of Tumeric, Chilli Powder and cumin and corriander mixed. Add a little
water and leave to marinade for an hour or more.Saute 2 chopped onions and
2 cloves of garlic with 2" or grated fresh ginger in a little oil.
Add meat and bones, cover with more water and simmer for 1.5 hours.
Add 1.6 teaspoons of Garam Masala and cook a further half hour. Salt
to taste. Add fresh corriander and serve.
from Chris ... Guacamole
In a mixing bowl, pulp with
a fork, the flesh of 8 avacados. Add the juice and zest of 1 lemon, 4 very
finely chopped cloves of garlic, half a deseeded, finely chopped fresh red
chilli, 1 chopped red onion, 3 deseeded and coarsely chopped tomatoes
and plenty of black pepper, mix well. Chop in a handfull of fresh coriander.
Salt to taste. Serve with some nacho chips or warm tortillas.
Arran Pilot - provider
of Ceilidhs to Druidstonians since
1983
If memory serves correct,
1973, graced by a little known conjunction in the heavens called the "Fluffy
Potato", saw the meeting of 4 unlikely lads at The Shoe, in downtown
Marshfield. They became the embryonic Arran Pilot. Enslaved by
the system and the rigours of mortgages when too young to understand the implications,
these stalwart fellows grew their own vegetables in order to keep from
starving. Some 28 years later little has changed, except the weight
of the individuals concerned, but we do pretend to know several hundred tunes
conceived in the celtic vein. Heights of adulation have been acheived
with the signing of at least one autograph, and the depths of embarrassment
have been outlived by pointing the finger at some innocent bystander, but
we still sit together playing music for our own pleasure. The fact that
many of you join us in our selfish experiments is a source of constant amazement,
but we will make the best of it as long as possible. It is with some
pride that we recognize that where a crate of whisky used to be barely sufficient,
we can now hardly finish one bottle, even with seven of us. Eight if
you count cheerful Max Cann who retired to Germany for 11 years to get away
from Margaret Thatcher. (Who's She? Ed). Much Love to you
all, and we hope that you danced, (or will, on St. Patrick's Night, 17th
March 2001) at the eighteenth annual Spring Ceilidh, that Arran Pilot are
proud to have played. ARRAN PILOT ARE - Peoples'
Lord, JULIAN RUTTER - Minister of Dancing. JAMIE MATTHEWS - Head
of light entertainment and Emperor of Harmonica. Baron JOHN ROBERTS
- Powerhouse of the string section. Sir ANDY WILLS - Master of Wind.
NOL COOPER - Bishop of Banjo and Maestro of Mandolin DAVE - King
of Rhythm MAX CANN - Basso Profundo and inexhaustible fund of lyrics
PETER BALL - Knave of Strings GUY JOHNSON - Long suffering Sound
Engineer and, of course, JOHN DANNIELLS - Sadly deceased but High Priest of
Humour. Thanks to Pete Ball for this reminder of times past
and ceilidhs yet to come......... Jane
The
Druidstone Good Times
The
Druidstone Good Old Times 2005
