It's The Silly Season!

This phrase was first coined in the UK in 1861, describing late July. August and September. It is a period during the summer months when the papers publish trivial news stories to fill space, primarily because major institutions are in recess. During this time, stories about massive vegetables, strange animal behaviour, or Loch Ness Monster sightings often take centre stage in the news.
Here in East Anglia, we have had some rather ambiguous headlines, alongside bizarre photographs in the last couple of weeks. Julian and I were reading the Eastern Daily Press online over the weekend. We honestly couldn't decide of some of these captions with the accompanying pictures were deliberately chosen, or whether the head had gone to their heads.
For instance 

Sandringham Estate in Norfolk
hit by "Vermin Infestation"

The report does explain...A tenant, who did not wish to be named, told a national newspaper: "There are always rodents in an agricultural area like this, but most people can keep the numbers under control by having a cat."…However, tenants on the estate are banned from keeping cats under a rule introduced by the late Queen Elizabeth II to protect wildlife in the area. Despite the complaints raised at the council meeting, it is understood that the estate has not received any direct reports of vermin from tenants, . …It comes after Andrew Mountbatten Windsor's new home on the estate, Marsh Farm in Wolferton, was invaded by moles earlier this year.

Next My Grandsons are particularly keen on this local theme park. But this picture certainly made Julian and me laugh

Dinosaur Park gets green light for new look

We presume the exclamation mark is to be illuminated in future !!

Thirdly

Owners of "hidden" sauna, built without planning permission, fight to save it.
The bizarre thing about this story is that the sauna never was 'hidden' - the EDP had a big feature on it back in April when it opened.

The establishment is called The Hidden Sauna Club because it is off the beaten track, looking out over the countryside. It has proved incredibly popular. Quite why the owner thought she could build this without first seeking planning permission is unclear. But she is now applying retrospectively, claiming "the sauna is small in both scale and impact"
It is proving very popular, operating seven days a week, daytime and evenings, with sessions for up to 8 people at a time.[£20 an hour, if you're interested] So it's clearly a nice little earner. But the first sentence really tickled me
"The owners... hope the council planners WILL NOT POUR COLD WATER on its bid to stay in business" 
I don't know about the silly season, but as they say round here, it is

One final thing, picked up, bizarrely, by the Manchester Evening News before the EDP or the BBC reported it - the World Snail Racing Championship at Grimston in West NorfolK, was won this year by Snailor Swift!! [here]

Half Term, Half And Half

 Half the holiday in Norfolk with the girls

Then half in Manchester with the boys

Highlights

Monday's Beaver Trail at Bkickling Hall, followed by lunch at The Whistles top café at Aylsham Station. Yes that Aylsham - now much more famous than it was a week ago. Also teaching Rosie how to embroider. Board games, and pancake party. 

Word games, and Mousetrap, stories with Grandad.[when he wasn't fixing things and doing odd jobs] And some of us shared a nasty cold. 

So lovely to spend so much time with our two daughters and their families.

Cornerstones is going to feel very quiet this week. 

It's All White Now!

I have been sharing the Pantone "Color Of The Year" with you since 2014, although the company started the idea at the turn of the Millennium [All colours here] But honestly I think this year they have surpassed themselves. Their chosen colour is white!

This has proved very controversial, as you can imagine. With their usual [ahem] colourful language, they declare it "a whisper of peace in a noisy world""a billowy balanced white imbued with a feeling of tranquility" There has much criticism of this 'non-colour' in the press

Apart from Hello Magazine, who gushingly tell us that Kate Middleton was a "vision in white" and has already nailed it perfectly. Can I just mention here that she should be referred to as Catherine, Princess Of Wales. She hasn't been Miss Middleton since 2011. And she doesnt have to worry about laundry or dry cleaning bills. I too have nailed this colour - my new kitchen has a white ceiling, white tiles, white paintwork on the door, and a powder coated white range style cooker...

IKEA on the other hand, say their C.O.T.Y. is "Rebel Pink". After decades of green washing up liquid, I went crazy last week and refilled my bottle with cherry pink 

White is fine for tiles and paintwork and wipeable, washable surfaces. And for special events [bridal wear and baptismal gowns] But I do not find it practical for everyday clothing, I'm far too messy, and I spend time with sticky fingered children!

Sorry Pantone, I  think this billowy white is not your best choice!

Lordy! Lordy! What Are You Wearing Tonight?

 We walked up the path towards the house- following the large pairs of scissors - these were to lead us to the "Tailoring an Image" Exhibition inside.  "Lordy" Fairhaven had most of his clothes made by Huntsman of Savile Row, his shoes were handmade, and all his clothes were washed and ironed by a laundry in Saffron Walden
They were taken the 20 miles there and back by train. He did not want his shirts and 'smalls' hanging out on the line to be seen by visitors to the Abbey! 
He was certainly very daring in some of his fashion choices - evening suits in shades of ruby, sapphire and emerald velvet. His dinner jackets were midnight blue, because he said that at night they looked 'blacker than ordinary black ones'. His valet maintained his clothes with great care laying out the day's garments on the bed all ready to be worn. 

Because his garments were so meticulously made, and diligently maintained, they lasted him years. He was always a stylish dresser. He wore a red carnation in his buttonhole during the day, and a white one in the evening.

He loved bright colours and fine patterned cloths. His suits all had a lilac and cream striped silk lining to the sleeves.

Many of his clothes were in the exhibition, beautifully displayed- handstitched suits, silk pyjamas, his Home Guard Uniform [way smarter than poor old Pike's gear in Dad's Army!] The finest sheepskin coat you could imagine for "gardening wear"

Lord Fairhaven moved in the highest circles of British Society - with politicians, industrialists, bankers- and of course, Royalty. He was friends with Edward VIII - and many important Americans. Many of them would wear similarly created garments - handmade to fit them personally, in quality fabrics made to outlast their owners. Many folk continue this practice today King Charles is known to wear suits which are decades old. Patrick Grant wears jackets which were his fathers. And actor Damien Hurst wears his grandfather's handmade overcoat!
Below is a very informative 10 minute video produced for the exhibition by "Huntsman&Sons" - his tailors, still in business 60 years after his death [his personal paper suit patterns are still in their archives!] It is well worth watching. This 'proper' bespoke tailoring is the complete opposite of Fast Fashion. Oh dear, I must sort out my summer/winter wardrobe swap soon. 

Yes Ma'am!

We watched "The Thursday Murder Club" last week. Having read the book, we knew Whodunit already. No spoilers here, for those who haven't. 

It was definitely "a cosy crime", with an amazing cast list. Being set in an OAP home, or more accurately  "an upmarket seniors' retirement community" there were many older actors both in leading roles and cameos. Oh, and David Tennant, who seems to pop up in almost everything lately.

As well as the Fab Four [Mirren, Imrie, Kingsley and Brosnan] look out for 

• Jonathan Pryce [the best actor in the recent Count of Monte Cristo we thought]
• Richard E Grant [at 68, one of the younger OAPs in the cast]
• Paul Freeman - I prefer him without his beard. He was Molly's urbane suitor in one series of Monarch of the Glen
• Richenda Carey - Also in MotG* playing Kilwillie's snooty sister Lady Dorothy
• Ruth Sheen - the longsuffering office secretary in Strike [new series due this autumn] No relation to Martin, or Michael

*our family referred to that favourite Sunday evening viewing as Monica. [As in "busy tonight, catching up with Monica Theglen"]

The filming was done in various Home Counties properties and villages, mainly Englefield House near Reading. The London Street through which HM drives at speed is actually Chatham Dockyard. And whilst Englefield House conveniently has an adjacent church, the cemetery opposite was specially constructed for the film,. With polystyrene gravestones! 

For me the best laugh-out-loud line in the entire film was when Pryce says to his wife who is just going out sleuthing "You look just like the Queen". Same initials HM, and Ms Mirren has played HerMaj twice [ film, The Queen 2006, and stage, The Audience 2013-2015] And she does it so well. You have to look twice to be sure who is who.

It was a fun film, but they did "over-egg the pudding" at some points. ***

Have you seen it, what did you think?

"For Your Tomorrows, We Gave Our Today"*

The King was in Staffordshire, but we went to the local VJ Day Commemoration Service on Friday at Dereham Parish Church. It was very moving. The Curate preached the sermon, and spoke of his grandfather, who had been a prisoner in the Far East. He also talked about Bishop Leonard Wilson of Singapore, and how this gracious man of faith was able to forgive his torturers because he believed God's Spirit gave him the grace and strength to do so. I had quite forgotten about the Bishop, one of my Dad's 'heroes of faith'. I must try and find "The Singapore Story" - the moving biopic made about this man.
Here is the prayer of commitment from Friday's service

Let us pledge ourselves anew
to the service of God and our fellow men and women:
that we may help, encourage and comfort others,
and support those working for the relief of the needy
and for the peace and welfare of the nations.
Lord God our Father,
we pledge ourselves to serve you and all humankind,
in the cause of peace, for the relief of want and suffering,
and for the praise of your name.
Guide us by your Spirit;
give us wisdom;
    give us courage;
        give us hope;
and keep us faithful now and always. Amen.

* The famous Kohima Epitaph

Another Bryan Bilston Poem

This is a reprint of a post from July 2018 - after I had gone to London to protest with Liz about President Trump's first State visit to the UK. Afterwards she sent me a BB poem. So my post about that march was entitled Liz Sent Me A Poem - here's a shortened version of that post...
Friday's march was a joyous carnival event -[many people] united in their anger and sadness over the activities of one narcissistic man. Liz and I were marching with Jenna, originally from Michigan - I was proud of these two young women beside me who shared my feelings about the arrival of this man on our shores.

We commented on the diversity of issues represented [racism, misogyny, nuclear weapons, global warming, mistreatment of refugees, Islamophobia, imprisonment of asylum seekers, homophobia, separation of children from parents...and more]We sang, 

 cheered, clapped, blew whistles Afterwards Liz sent me Brian Bilston's poem. I shall endeavour to live up to it as I grow older!

AS I GROW OLD I WILL MARCH NOT SHUFFLE

As I grow old
I will not shuffle to the beat
of self-interest
and make that slow retreat
​​​to the right.

I will be a septuagenarian insurrectionist
marching with the kids.

I shall sing ‘La Marseillaise’,
whilst brandishing homemade placards that proclaim 
‘DOWN WITH THIS SORT OF THING’.
I will be an octogenarian obstructionist,

and build unscalable barricades
from bottles of flat lemonade,
tartan blankets and chicken wire.
I will hurl prejudice upon the brazier’s fire.

I will be a nonagenarian nonconformist,

armed with a ballpoint pen
and a hand that shakes with rage not age
at politicians’ latest crimes,
in strongly-worded letters to The Times.

I will be a centenarian centurion
and allow injustice no admittance.

I will stage longstanding sit-ins.

My mobility scooter and I
will move for no-one.

And when I die

I will be the scattered ashes
that attach themselves to the lashes
and blind the eyes
of racists and fascists.

Thank you Bryan! I was in my 60s when I protested then, I am in my 70s now. I hope I never lose the fire in my belly that makes me want to speak out against evil and injustice. 

Trump is due here for another State Visit in September. According to CNN last week  "More specifics about the state visit will be released in the future, the palace statement said. As with every state visit, it will include a full ceremonial welcome and state banquet. All senior members of the Royal Family are expected to take part."

Of course, the King's brother Andrew will not attend the banquet, as he is no longer able to take part in State Events, because of his unfortunate close friendship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein...

What Is A National Treasure?

In 1922, Gainsborough's "Blue Boy" was sold to an American collector. 90,000 people came to the 'Farewell Exhibition' at the National Gallery. Many were moved to tears - how could this unique, beloved work by an English artist leave our shores for the USA? After WW2, the Waverley Report was published in 1952, setting out criteria for "National Treasures" and situations where the government could step in to 'save it for the nation' when something was likely to be sold overseas. These three criteria were
History: Is it closely connected with our history and national life?
Aesthetics: Is it of outstanding aesthetic importance?

Scholarship: Is it of outstanding significance for the study of some particular branch of art, learning or history?

In the last 70+ years, hundreds of items have been saved [some are listed here] from Jane Austen's ring, Salvador Dali's Lobster telephone, and Maps from the Spanish Armada.

And in 2022 - exactly one hundred years after it left, The Blue Boy did return to the National Gallery for a 5 month exhibition - but has gone back to the USA now [permanently, sadly]
Basically, what it means is that in certain cases the government [guided by the Secretary of State and a committee of eight 'experts'] will refuse an export licence and declare something may not leave the United Kingdom. Often export licences are deferred, giving a chance for somebody in the UK to buy the item. But the number of refused licences is very small in comparison to the number granted. For instance, in 2012-2013, 33,842 items with a value of £1.7 billion were issued with export licences. Only 19 were referred [their value was £114 million - including Estate Maps of Hampton Court, and two paintings by George Stubbs [the latter bought by the Royal Maritime Museum in Greenwich]

I never knew all this until today...and I bet you thought this was going to be a post about Stephen Fry and Delia Smith*, didn't you? As far as I know, the government has not put any restriction on National Treasures such as they from travelling abroad!

[the only reason I found out today was through reading about the proposed Queen's Memorial and falling down an architectural rabbit hole on the internet!]

*Both ardent supporters of Norwich City FC

Ladybird, Ladybird...

 ...fly away home.

Kirsten's gift of the Ladybird book set me thinking about this book series for children. I knew that Henry Wills company was founded in Loughborough, just north of Kirby Muxloe, in 1867. In 1904 he joined with William Hepworth, and they printed their first children's book in 1914 . But "Ladybird" books as such really began in 1940, the first one being Bunnikins Picnic Party. They were slim, small volumes, easy for a child to hold - and the size was chosen because it made most efficient use of a sheet of printers' paper, and there was no wastage [this was Wartime!]

Here is my much thumbed copy from 1958. I was three and a half! The dust jacket has long disappeared. My Mum has written my name and the date inside the cover. Look at the pattern on the paper- the ladybirds have their wings open. Later the company changed to the familiar insect with 10 spots

In 1963, I got Things To Make.  Mum marked it again - but she had obviously acquired a multicoloured biro as 

she's written my name in rainbow hues! Within a few years they were starting to make the covers coloured, and no longer supplied dust jackets. I have a few remaining on the shelf - Kings and Queens of England, and some other historical characters, and a book of British birds,. My Bible Stories have gone awol, maybe I donated them to somebody. 

Now here's a thing - if you ask people about the Ladybird Reading Scheme, many will mention Janet and John. But J&J were written in 1949/50 and published by James Nisbet. The Ladybird Scheme came out in 1964, just in time for my brother starting school, and the children were Peter and Jane. The books remained in print for half a century, and the characters gradually changed [no more golliwog toys, and \mummy gets to wear jeans!]

I continued to acquire Ladybird books - their simple format and cleat presentation of facts made them useful in the classroom and with my own children. On one very long journey, we stopped at the motorway services and bought a copy of Mervyn Mouse to read to the children.

Like the Gruffalo for today's parents, many of us Mums and Dads of the Millennial Generation, knew this one by heart. In it, Mervyn swims the Channel and needs to insulate himself against the cold. I remember a Summer Barbecue, when Bob picked up the butter dish and declared "I will grease you" Lucy said and many of the assembled company chorused back "I've got a pound of lard"

I have a fondness for these little books. Except The Ladybird Book of the Royal Wedding [1986 - Andrew and Sarah] There was an escape situation in the Manse and one of the pet gerbils made a dash for the door. A quick thinking daughter endeavoured to block his way with this book. Unfortunately his head and the book collided, and we had one less gerbil!

Do you have any favourite Ladybird Books?

Let's Have A Beanfeast!

Nobody's quite sure about the origins of the "Beanfeast". Some say it came from old Twelfth Night celebrations, when a cake or pie was baked with a 'bean' in it. Whoever got the portiuon with the bean was proclaimed King for the Day. Here is a painting from around 1640 by Jacob Jordaens, the Flemish artist, called "The Bean King"

But in 1725, a man called Daniel Day, in Wapping, London, declared the first Friday in July to be a Beanfeast, when he gave his employees a holiday and a  open air feast of beans and bacon.

In 1773, King George III visited the Woolwich Works [ the Arsenal] where beans and bacon were being served to everyone. He enjoyed himself so much that he declared July 7th to be the official Beanfeast Holiday. Many businesses continued this tradition for years - there was even mention of "George IIIs Beanfeast" in Hansard in1930.

BEANFEAST

Today, 251 years later, they are celebrating the first Modern Beanfeast. at the Woolwich Works.

I'm all in favour of beanfeasts, where friends and families enjoy food and fun together. Last Sunday's church lunch was great! And as we're supposed to be eating less meat these days, protein from beans/legumes is a Good Thing. I've harvested some broad beans from the Raised Bed this week, and the runner beans are growing steadily up their pyramid support.

My favourite bean dishes; fresh green beans, steamed, with a pat of butter served as a side dish,  butter beans in salads or tapas dishes, kidney beans in a chili con carne, and good old beans-on-toast.  Do you enjoy beans?

D Day Done

Did your community commemorate the 80th anniversary in any way? The Parish Church was open all day. I called in briefly for the regular Thursday Morning Coffee. At 6.30 the bellringers began an hour of pealing the bells. Bob had a committee meeting in the nearby Pub, so I went into the church at 7.15 to wait for him. It was - despite the bells - a space to pray and reflect. I'd just heard from a friend with a dying relative, so I prayed for that family, and also for Michael Mosley and family, as that story had just been on the news.The bellringers finished, came down from their loft, and left the church - clearly not seeing me, "Shall we lock up?" "Who's got the keys?" they called to one another. I replied "Please don't lock me in!!" They apologised, and left, then Bob arrived, then Rev Rachael came to light the commemorative lantern. We went across to the Village Green where the beacon was being lit.

That was a disappointing non-event, The chair of the council just walked up and lit the beacon. No words, no moment of silence and reflection. Nothing. On the left of the picture is a group of villagers chatting, not even watching the beacon. 

More Village stuff on Saturday - in the morning a yard sale, and I found my mini cucumber and aubergine plants for £1.50. Yippee. Bob bought a lovely £60 bowl gouge for woodturning, only £5. In the afternoon we went to the Village Hall for the D Day Commemorative Tea Party. Bob provided 1940s music and a continuous video of D Day stuff . I had loaned a load of books and posters, and volunteered to organise a children's activity table.  [and all my Union flags and bunting]

Kelly, the Parish Clerk had decorated the Hall beautifully, and made a display of WW2 materials. The children did colouring, painted pebbles, made newspaper forage caps, cotton reel tanks, and assembled planes.

A good time was had by all. The children were all so well behaved and enjoyed the activities on offer.

At 6pm a lady in full 1940s dress arrived to provide an hour of WW 2 songs.

But before that we all enjoyed the most splendid tea

In 2022 we had the Queen's 70th Jubilee. In 2023 the Coronation Celebrations. In 2024 the D-Day 80th Commemoration.

I sort of hope 2025 won't have any major national events ...

French Flora And Felt Fauna

On our first morning in Paris, we both wanted to go to Notre Dame. It was an easy journey on the Metro, and a brief walk from the station to the Cathedral. But on the way we stopped at the flower market. This beautiful little trading street has been here for over 150 years, the painting dates from 1880.[by Victor Gabriel Gilbert, famous for his Parisian scenes] But just ten years ago, when our late Queen was visiting France for the 70th D-Day Anniversary, the flower market was renamed. In honour of the esteem in which the French nation held her, the market became "Queen Elizabeth ll Flower Market. Here she is in June  2014 with Francoise Hollande.

On a sunny Thursday morning the sights were stunning, the perfume amazing. And the quality and colours of the blooms exquisite. We wandered slowly through, marvelling at the foliage and flowers. And 19thC light fixtures and fountains added to the beauty.

At the very end was a little shop selling tiny hanging decorations. Not all specifically Christmassy - but all delicately made, with wood, metal, beads and fabric. I was particularly taken with the little felt animals. 

I sketched some in my journal. I quite fancy the idea of making some little mice! It makes a change from birds.

I came back to Norfolk, and on Friday afternoon, I found this inspiring book in Dereham Library. A project for the autumn perhaps?

More Fish, Fewer Chips

The good news is that I returned from the Paris exactly the same weight as when I went. That's despite the massive Iles Flottantes, and the baguettes and croissants etc. [and the fact that we travelled mostly by bus or Metro, because Bob was not really up to walking]

The bad news is that my weight is still higher than I want it to be. 

I have really enjoyed the food we have eaten in Paris - especially that most of it was freshly made, non UPF stuff.

Bob, being Type 2 Diabetic, wants to make sure he eats wisely too.

I listened to an interesting programme on Radio 4, about Universities which are transitioning to entirely plant-based catering over the next 5 years. They are ditching animal products to help tackle the climate crisis.

Like all these programmes, the contributors were carefully chosen to present a 'balanced viewpoint'. It didn't help that I found the arguments of one of the vegan speakers unconvincing, and he didn't seem willing to listen to the other guys!

I heard it whilst driving home from Sainsburys, where I'd just done a major foodshop [all fresh food having been eaten up prior to the holiday]

I am not altogether sure that removing all non plant based foods from Campus is altogether helpful. That is basically taking away people's freedom of choice. And if you are not eating any animal protein, you need to eat a balance of complementary proteins to ensure a truly healthy diet. Would students bother? And if there are 'meat substitutes' [with names like What the Cluck, Tofurkey, FakinBacon etc] are not many of these produced in factories, and end up being the UPFs that we are supposed to be avoiding? 

I learned that I am now a reducetarian. Along with about 40% of the population. I have reduced the amount of meat products which I consume. Apparently we are also called flexitarians. The King is one of us, having two days a week without meat or fish, and one day without dairy. 

But whilst I am happy to up the quantity of veggies I eat [especially when I have grown them myself] I am aware that I need to maintain a reasonable protein intake. I cannot just fill up with salads and carb-laden potatoes. And a  piece of fruit is less fattening than an apple pie, or a rhubarb crumble. 

Furthermore, I am aware that in many ways, it is better for me [and the planet] to eat fish than red meat.

My Sainsburys trolley [I managed to save 10% on the final bill with various carefully managed Nectar offers] contained lots of seafood - kippers, smoked salmon [I love the trimmings snipped onto scrambled eggs] tuna, and mussels. I already have white fish fillets in the freezer. 

I still enjoy my dairy stuff - 'proper' milk in tea and coffee, and homemade yogurts [although my cheese intake is very limited] I do like eggs - and yes, I know, technically they are not 'dairy'. But we will definitely be having a Chippy Tea less frequently in future!

How can we balance a responsible attitude to climate change, and to eating sensibly - and especially, how can we do this when we have very busy lives, and small children with us at the meal table who are frequently quite fussy about what they eat?

Years ago, my daughters pointed out that when I eat a meal, I usually leave some of the potatoes till last. Why? It took me a while to work it out - as a child, the rule was 'no pudding if you do not eat all your meat and green veg' and if I ate the potatoes first, they filled me up too quickly. So I always ate the meat and green veg first, in order to ensure I got my pudding later. And I have never broken the habit!

The Red King

Well, to be honest, I am not quite sure what I think of the new portrait of the King. I think the face is very good. It certainly looks like him, which is a relief.

And the butterfly about to land on his shoulder is a nod to his interest in the natural world and the beauties of creation [and apparently to the way that Charles has metamorphosed from Prince to Monarch, according to the artist, Jonathan Yeo]

But I cannot get on with the fuzzy red background, merging into his uniform. JY says he did not want anything to detract the viewer from the King's Gaze.

However, I find that bit of braid which appears to be from his right shoulder, in a loop to his collar, then diagonally down to his hip is a real distraction,

But I don't have to hang it in my lounge, so that's OK.

One other Royal image you may or may not have picked up on is the new Gov.UK cypher on their website, and some official correspondence.[that came out in February]

At the top is the one which was used during Elizabeth's reign, below is the new one chosen by Charles. If you compare them, you will see the EIIR has the St Edward's Crown, with the top sections curving down, whereas CIIIR has the 'Tudor' crown, which is domed.

As from 5th June, the new King Charles Banknotes will enter circulation. More info here, or you can watch the brief Bank Of England video.

If you are in North Norfolk, you may struggle to pay for your bus with a £5 note - they have stopped taking them after twenty six forgeries were used on the buses last weekend. 

I don't suppose that Charles and Camilla have OAP bus passes, or take bus trips to the coast from Sandringham...

My Creative, Crafty County

I managed to get to this event on Friday - and ran out of time to see everything. Then I needed to go into Norwich on Saturday, so made a second visit. There was just SO much to see and do this year. I didn't take as many photos as I intended because I was caught up in chats with other crafters, and sometimes the crowds of people milling around made pictures difficult.

It is nearly eight years since I exhibited at the C&TA event at the Cathedral, and decided I would join the association when we retired. I have finally signed up! 

But I do think the logo looks like "Costa" don't you?

Upstairs there were lots of have-a-go stands. Do some stitching, ragrugging, painting, crochet...knit a few rows for the Giraffe-Scarf etc. Next years GoGo Trail will have five different animals from the Savannah. I knitted a couple of rows at the scarf table! 

Two years ago they were working on a woolly mammoth

When not Cross Stitching, Kirsten is exploring ZeroWaste clothing, and bog coats. So I just had to sent her pictures of Cat, who makes ZW jackets from old embroidered tablecloths. A very friendly woman.

I think I might wear one of these as a summer cover up over a strappy evening frock, or for a wedding outfit.

Also on the ground floor, in the side gallery, were lots of C&TA exhibits, recent, and going back a few years [the show never happened during covid, but people did even more stitching then]

Fab Tudor project - Queen Bess has hair made from unravelled copper scouring pads! And there is a new tapestry under construction for the Castle- 

these are some of the items which will also be on show there.
The Spinners, Weavers and Dyers have made a regal banner too.

At first I was confused by the title 

Charles III R 2023 - A King for all Seasons.
Elizabeth died in 2022, didn't she? Then I realised, they had to wait twelve months until he had been on the throne for all four seasons!

In the basement part of the Forum, there was a display of all Margaret Seaman's knitted treasures. She is 92 now and says this is the final time she will come and exhibit. She has raised thousands of pounds for charity over the years. 

There was such a lot to look at, lots of inspiration - and I did enjoy myself. The C&TA stand had some of their literature on display, including the programme from the Norwich Shawl exhibition in 2016. I turned the pages over, so it was open at the one showing the picture of my three tea cosies!

I've paid my membership fee now - so I think I can display a bit of my handwork!

This event is well worth attending - it is free - and you get to meet some very talented people, and have the opportunity to explore new crafting skills.
If I keep practising with my new machine, I might have something for next year.

One final poster by the exit door was very touching. Loose Ends is a global charity which aims to ease grief, create community and inspire generosity by mixing volunteer 'handwork finishers' with projects people have left unfinished due to death or disability. What a lovely idea!