It's only 3 days until Christmas now, and the Christmas events I have been doing have been great fun. The Pantiles Treasure Hunt draw was yesterday and congratulations to all the winners - the list will be up after the holidays. The last Lantern Lit Tour is tonight, then it's time for Christmas celebrations. I hope that all my clients and readers have had a wonderful 2011 and wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a healthy and happy 2012! I will look forward to welcoming you all to the South East of England next year, just in time for the celebrations of 200 years since Charles Dickens' birth, the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, the London Olympics, plus much much more. Happy Holidays!
Thursday 22 December 2011
Thursday 8 December 2011
A Festive Tunbridge Wells
Unbelievably, it is just over 2 weeks until Christmas! Everyone has gone shopping crazy and the adverts on TV are shouting deals left, right and centre. Well, what about doing something a bit different? Get away from the crowds and enjoy some family time, and get into the Christmas spirit by taking part in one of the many activities we have taking place this year in Royal Tunbridge Wells.
Currently running are The Pantiles' Christmas Treasure Hunts. There is a hunt for children with separate prizes to be won, and the same again for Adults. Over £300 worth of prizes have to be won - if you don't take part, you won't be in with a chance! And for only £1.00 and £2.00 each respectively, a bargain when most prizes are worth upwards of £30.00. You can pick the hunts up at any time (until last day 20 Dec) - all details are on my Events page.
Once you've completed your Pantiles Hunt, there is a Conundrum you can complete as a family for The Camden Road Christmas Market (17 Dec 2011). It's the first year of the Christmas Market here and I was asked to produce a family treasure hunt for this area with historical aspects to this very interesting and overlooked part of Tunbridge Wells. Again a fabulous hamper to be won, with prizes donated from the shops of Lower Camden Road within it!
If you haven't quite got into the festive mood with the Hunts, then I'd suggest a Lantern Lit Christmas Traditions Tour around The Pantiles. Starting at 4.30pm from outside the Tourist Information Centre, on Thursday's up to Christmas - so the 15th and 22nd are left now, plus Saturday 17th December. For £5.00 per person (children under 10 years old are free) you get to learn about how and why we celebrate Christmas today the way that we do! Come learn about Wren Hunting, Boy Bishops, Stir Up Sunday and Dumb Cake!
And if that hasn't got the kids excited, then there is one Children's Christmas and Storytelling Activity day you can get them booked in on - Sunday 18th December in The Corn Exchange on The Pantiles. At either 10.30am or 2.30pm you can bring your children along to have a Christmas story (written by local children's author Tony Streeter) read to them, and then they can enjoy some activities. Children take home all that they make plus a goodie bag with a chocolate treat in. Booking is essential for this as limited spaces in the Unit - so please contact me asap, as places going fast. Cost is £3.50 per child (ages 3 years old +) - adult's free! (Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times).
After all that festive fun I think I will be ready to put my feet up, a sherry in hand, and wish everyone all over the world, whether you celebrate Christmas or not, a very happy, healthy and peaceful festive period and New Year!
Currently running are The Pantiles' Christmas Treasure Hunts. There is a hunt for children with separate prizes to be won, and the same again for Adults. Over £300 worth of prizes have to be won - if you don't take part, you won't be in with a chance! And for only £1.00 and £2.00 each respectively, a bargain when most prizes are worth upwards of £30.00. You can pick the hunts up at any time (until last day 20 Dec) - all details are on my Events page.
Once you've completed your Pantiles Hunt, there is a Conundrum you can complete as a family for The Camden Road Christmas Market (17 Dec 2011). It's the first year of the Christmas Market here and I was asked to produce a family treasure hunt for this area with historical aspects to this very interesting and overlooked part of Tunbridge Wells. Again a fabulous hamper to be won, with prizes donated from the shops of Lower Camden Road within it!
If you haven't quite got into the festive mood with the Hunts, then I'd suggest a Lantern Lit Christmas Traditions Tour around The Pantiles. Starting at 4.30pm from outside the Tourist Information Centre, on Thursday's up to Christmas - so the 15th and 22nd are left now, plus Saturday 17th December. For £5.00 per person (children under 10 years old are free) you get to learn about how and why we celebrate Christmas today the way that we do! Come learn about Wren Hunting, Boy Bishops, Stir Up Sunday and Dumb Cake!
And if that hasn't got the kids excited, then there is one Children's Christmas and Storytelling Activity day you can get them booked in on - Sunday 18th December in The Corn Exchange on The Pantiles. At either 10.30am or 2.30pm you can bring your children along to have a Christmas story (written by local children's author Tony Streeter) read to them, and then they can enjoy some activities. Children take home all that they make plus a goodie bag with a chocolate treat in. Booking is essential for this as limited spaces in the Unit - so please contact me asap, as places going fast. Cost is £3.50 per child (ages 3 years old +) - adult's free! (Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times).
After all that festive fun I think I will be ready to put my feet up, a sherry in hand, and wish everyone all over the world, whether you celebrate Christmas or not, a very happy, healthy and peaceful festive period and New Year!
Tuesday 22 November 2011
The Pantiles CHRISTMAS TREASURE HUNT launch!!
It's only a few days to go now until my first Christmas event launches - The Pantiles Christmas Treasure Hunts 2011!
Created by myself, I have made a separate hunt for children and for adults, so everyone can have some fun around the historic Pantiles of Tunbridge Wells.
The Treasure Hunts will be available to purchase from 5 locations in Tunbridge Wells from Saturday 26 November. Prices are £1.00 for Children, £2.00 for the Adults' Hunt. You can put completed entries into boxes that can be found in The Corn Exchange (at Shiraz) and in the Tourist Info Centre.
The grand draw will be on Weds 21 December, so all entries must be received by 5pm on Tuesday 20 December. Over £300 worth of prizes can be won, all donated very kindly by independent businesses! Please take a look at my EVENTS page for full details of where to buy the hunts, all the prizes to be won, and the Terms & Conditions.
Even if you are only visiting briefly over December and can't qualify for the draw, please do pick up a treasure hunt - It will keep you occupied and you will learn much about the area too, and also help a local independent business! Enjoy!!
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| The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells |
The Treasure Hunts will be available to purchase from 5 locations in Tunbridge Wells from Saturday 26 November. Prices are £1.00 for Children, £2.00 for the Adults' Hunt. You can put completed entries into boxes that can be found in The Corn Exchange (at Shiraz) and in the Tourist Info Centre.
The grand draw will be on Weds 21 December, so all entries must be received by 5pm on Tuesday 20 December. Over £300 worth of prizes can be won, all donated very kindly by independent businesses! Please take a look at my EVENTS page for full details of where to buy the hunts, all the prizes to be won, and the Terms & Conditions.
Even if you are only visiting briefly over December and can't qualify for the draw, please do pick up a treasure hunt - It will keep you occupied and you will learn much about the area too, and also help a local independent business! Enjoy!!
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| Are you ready for The Pantiles' Christmas Treasure Hunts?! |
(Above image copyright David Bartholomew. All Rights Reserved)
Thursday 17 November 2011
New Readers and Christmas is coming!
It is only a few weeks now to Christmas - time seems to be flying by and we shall soon be in a new year, 2012, before we know it.
The weather has got a bit colder now in the South East, the weather had been quite mild for October and the start of November, but now you can smell the wood smoke in the air as people light their fires, and feel that chill in the tips of your fingers and toes. The Christmas adverts are starting with vigour now on T.V. and I know that the shops will soon be blasting out the Christmas carols and songs.
I too, as you know from an earlier blog, have been busy preparing for Christmas events since the end of Summer, and things are beginning to come together now. I aim to blog in my next one about what I will be putting on for all of you locals and visitors alike. In the meantime I just wanted to mention some new readers who have joined me from Latvia, Slovenia, The Philippines, Switzerland, Bosnia & Herzegovina, South Korea, Malaysia and from Ireland - welcome and enjoy!
In my research for my Christmas Lantern Lit walks, about Christmas traditions, that will be taking place through December in Tunbridge Wells, it's amazing how varied the traditions are that we all take for granted, and of course every country celebrates in many different ways - so here's my appeal to you my dear readers - please leave comments with descriptions of traditions that you celebrate at home or in your country. Would be fantastic to hear and to share with all. Thank you!
The weather has got a bit colder now in the South East, the weather had been quite mild for October and the start of November, but now you can smell the wood smoke in the air as people light their fires, and feel that chill in the tips of your fingers and toes. The Christmas adverts are starting with vigour now on T.V. and I know that the shops will soon be blasting out the Christmas carols and songs.
I too, as you know from an earlier blog, have been busy preparing for Christmas events since the end of Summer, and things are beginning to come together now. I aim to blog in my next one about what I will be putting on for all of you locals and visitors alike. In the meantime I just wanted to mention some new readers who have joined me from Latvia, Slovenia, The Philippines, Switzerland, Bosnia & Herzegovina, South Korea, Malaysia and from Ireland - welcome and enjoy!
In my research for my Christmas Lantern Lit walks, about Christmas traditions, that will be taking place through December in Tunbridge Wells, it's amazing how varied the traditions are that we all take for granted, and of course every country celebrates in many different ways - so here's my appeal to you my dear readers - please leave comments with descriptions of traditions that you celebrate at home or in your country. Would be fantastic to hear and to share with all. Thank you!
Sunday 13 November 2011
Let us never forget.
Friday was a rather significant date - not only because it was 11.11.11, but it was also Remembrance Day. Chosen to signify the day Armistice was declared in 1918 bringing the carnage of the First World War to an end. Every Sunday nearest to Armistice Day is Remembrance Sunday and the towns and villages around Britain grind to a halt, roads are closed off and people fall silent at 11am to remember all those who fought and those who fell in not only the First and Second World Wars, but all conflicts since, all around the world.
On this poignant day I would like to share one of the many poems that came out of the horror of warfare. This is a small part of a lesser known poem called Aftermath by Kent born poet, Siegfred Sassoon.
Have you forgotten yet? ...
For the world's events have rumbled on since those gagged days,
Like traffic checked while at the crossing of city-ways:
And the haunted gap in your mind has filled with thoughts that flow
Like clouds in the lit heaven of life; and you're a man reprieved to go,
Taking your peaceful share of Time, with joy to spare.
But the past is just the same - and War's a bloody game ...
Have you forgotten yet? ...
Look down, and swear by the slain of the War that you'll never forget.
On this poignant day I would like to share one of the many poems that came out of the horror of warfare. This is a small part of a lesser known poem called Aftermath by Kent born poet, Siegfred Sassoon.
Have you forgotten yet? ...
For the world's events have rumbled on since those gagged days,
Like traffic checked while at the crossing of city-ways:
And the haunted gap in your mind has filled with thoughts that flow
Like clouds in the lit heaven of life; and you're a man reprieved to go,
Taking your peaceful share of Time, with joy to spare.
But the past is just the same - and War's a bloody game ...
Have you forgotten yet? ...
Look down, and swear by the slain of the War that you'll never forget.
Saturday 5 November 2011
Remember, Remember...the Gunpowder Plot and Bonfire Night!
Halloween has been and gone, and now we are into November. In England, Halloween is slowly catching on, but it is still November 5th that is the biggest date in our diary at this time of year (well, before Christmas certainly). Forever to be reminded by the rhyme:
Remember, Remember, the 5th of November,
Gunpowder, Treason and Plot.
I see no reason, why gunpowder, treason,
Should ever be forgot!
It's at this time of year that everyone looks forward to getting wrapped up warm, wellington boots on, and look forward to heading to their nearest park or recreation ground for a massive bonfire to be lit, hot food to be eaten and fireworks to wow and awe!
What's it all about you may ask? Well, it all harks back to November 5th 1605, when King James I was on the throne - he was a Catholic, but kept to the Protestant ways of ruling, as his predecessor Queen Elizabeth I had spent so many years securing some kind of toleration between Catholic and Protestants. A number of Catholics however weren't happy with the concessions that King James was giving, and were determined to assassinate him. They met together and formed a plan, and it was on the 5th November that one of the conspirators, a man called Guido Fawkes, was discovered in the Cellars underneath The Houses of Parliament in London, ready to light 36 barrels of gunpowder. The aim had been to blow up not just the King, but many members of Parliament too. However these plans were thwarted by secret letters and intrigue that gave what became known as "The Gunpowder Plot" away. Eventually all the conspirators were arrested, tortured and then executed for treason.
The following year, James I wished sermons to be preached in all the Churches about the lucky escape that he and Parliament had, and so began the celebrations of November 5th. Sermons were followed by bonfires lit in celebration too, and many years later the streets also echoed with small children's voices asking for a "penny for the Guy" (Guy relating to Guido Fawkes).
Sadly, you don't see children pushing around their home-made model of Guido Fawkes, asking for a contribution, any more, but many Bonfire Parties today still have figures burnt on their bonfires. Often today you can find more modern figures of hate - famous celebrities or sports figures, on top of the bonfires! The Edenbridge Bonfire in Kent is famous for their "Guys".
Many of the villages and towns in the South East, especially in Sussex, have strong November 5th Traditions that date back centuries. Villages and Towns often have societies who spend all year creating the "Guys" for the bonfires and raising money for charity - and they are known as Bonfire Societies and their members,"Bonfire Boys". Most of these groups tend to meet in the local pubs - each taking a specific pub as their HQ.
One of the most famous and spectacular Bonfire Nights is in Lewes. The roads are closed, transport is diverted and people travel from all over the country to witness through its narrow streets the parade of the six different Bonfire Societies of the town (there are actually seven societies in Lewes but only one does not preform on the main night). There is much music, dancing, flaming torches, and even poppers set off into the crowds! Then when they reach the bottom of the town everyone congregates to light the giant bonfire and watch the spectacular firework display.
Whatever you are doing for Bonfire Night, remember to keep warm and never go near fireworks once they've been lit and don't touch fireworks or sparklers once they have finished, they may still go off! Keep animals indoors, they don't like the fireworks as much as we do, and if you are having a bonfire party at home, do check for hedgehogs that may have settled in your bonfire pile!
Most of all, remember to enjoy yourself and keep in the back of your mind the fate of Guido Fawkes and his co-conspirators those 406 years ago!
Remember, Remember, the 5th of November,
Gunpowder, Treason and Plot.
I see no reason, why gunpowder, treason,
Should ever be forgot!
It's at this time of year that everyone looks forward to getting wrapped up warm, wellington boots on, and look forward to heading to their nearest park or recreation ground for a massive bonfire to be lit, hot food to be eaten and fireworks to wow and awe!
What's it all about you may ask? Well, it all harks back to November 5th 1605, when King James I was on the throne - he was a Catholic, but kept to the Protestant ways of ruling, as his predecessor Queen Elizabeth I had spent so many years securing some kind of toleration between Catholic and Protestants. A number of Catholics however weren't happy with the concessions that King James was giving, and were determined to assassinate him. They met together and formed a plan, and it was on the 5th November that one of the conspirators, a man called Guido Fawkes, was discovered in the Cellars underneath The Houses of Parliament in London, ready to light 36 barrels of gunpowder. The aim had been to blow up not just the King, but many members of Parliament too. However these plans were thwarted by secret letters and intrigue that gave what became known as "The Gunpowder Plot" away. Eventually all the conspirators were arrested, tortured and then executed for treason.
| The Gunpowder Plot Conspirators |
Sadly, you don't see children pushing around their home-made model of Guido Fawkes, asking for a contribution, any more, but many Bonfire Parties today still have figures burnt on their bonfires. Often today you can find more modern figures of hate - famous celebrities or sports figures, on top of the bonfires! The Edenbridge Bonfire in Kent is famous for their "Guys".
Many of the villages and towns in the South East, especially in Sussex, have strong November 5th Traditions that date back centuries. Villages and Towns often have societies who spend all year creating the "Guys" for the bonfires and raising money for charity - and they are known as Bonfire Societies and their members,"Bonfire Boys". Most of these groups tend to meet in the local pubs - each taking a specific pub as their HQ.
 |
| Parade through Lewes High Street on November 5th |
One of the most famous and spectacular Bonfire Nights is in Lewes. The roads are closed, transport is diverted and people travel from all over the country to witness through its narrow streets the parade of the six different Bonfire Societies of the town (there are actually seven societies in Lewes but only one does not preform on the main night). There is much music, dancing, flaming torches, and even poppers set off into the crowds! Then when they reach the bottom of the town everyone congregates to light the giant bonfire and watch the spectacular firework display.
Whatever you are doing for Bonfire Night, remember to keep warm and never go near fireworks once they've been lit and don't touch fireworks or sparklers once they have finished, they may still go off! Keep animals indoors, they don't like the fireworks as much as we do, and if you are having a bonfire party at home, do check for hedgehogs that may have settled in your bonfire pile!
Most of all, remember to enjoy yourself and keep in the back of your mind the fate of Guido Fawkes and his co-conspirators those 406 years ago!
Thursday 27 October 2011
New International Readers!
I love seeing on my blog where people are from, and this month I can add some more places to my international readership - including Norway, Finland, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Sri Lanka and Ireland! Greetings to all and thank you to everyone for looking at my website and reading my blog! Hope to see you soon on some tours.
Monday 24 October 2011
Brighton's got the X-Factor!
I've had a busy few weeks, organising Christmas events plus tours. Many of my most recent tours have been down on the coast, including in Brighton - one of my favourite cosmopolitan cities. As the clocks are about to change this coming weekend, losing an hour of sleep, Saturday nights are now perfect to settle down in front of the T.V. and watch either Strictly Come Dancing or the X-Factor. Even more of a reason to watch the X-Factor is that one of the finalists, Frankie Cocozza (18), is in fact from Brighton, having gone to school at nearby Woodingdean. Yes, he is the contestant who has the name of 7 girls tattooed on his backside!! Only in Brighton you might say.
He has been feted as the new "cheeky chappy" of Brighton - the nickname once given to another famous music act of the early 20th Century, Max Miller, whose statue can be found gracing the Pavilion Gardens by the Dome Theatre complex.
Brighton certainly seems to have the X-Factor, since the presenter of the show, Dermot O'Leary, also owns a fish restaurant here. You can find out more about the site of the restaurant and some of the other famous people of Brighton, both past and present, such as Sir Laurence Olivier, Katie Price etc..., on a Brighton walking tour - contact me to book your tour.
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| Frankie Cocozza, X-Factor 2011 Contestant |
He has been feted as the new "cheeky chappy" of Brighton - the nickname once given to another famous music act of the early 20th Century, Max Miller, whose statue can be found gracing the Pavilion Gardens by the Dome Theatre complex.
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| The original "Cheeky Chappy", Max Miller |
Brighton certainly seems to have the X-Factor, since the presenter of the show, Dermot O'Leary, also owns a fish restaurant here. You can find out more about the site of the restaurant and some of the other famous people of Brighton, both past and present, such as Sir Laurence Olivier, Katie Price etc..., on a Brighton walking tour - contact me to book your tour.
Sunday 9 October 2011
Local cheese, oysters and cider vinegar - it can only be Kent Crisps!
I have been meaning for a while now to write a piece about a fabulous company who have only been running since March this year - Kent Crisps (or chips as some of you readers may know what we British call "crisps"!). The reason why? Well, I wanted to do a beer and crisp tasting experiment and last month I managed to achieve this at a local beer festival.
A little background first about Kent Crisps - they are based at Quex Park in Birchington, on the East Coast of Kent, and the grounds are not only home to the crisp makers, but a Victorian house and The Powell-Cotton Museum which can be visited.
Why am I singing the praises of Kent crisps? Well, not only are they a friendly team and a local company; but they have ingenious flavours that use local produce as ingredients. No artificial flavourings, colourings or preservatives and 100% GM Free is an added bonus of these crunchy delights.
Made from Kent potatoes, they have sourced flavours to reflect the region - so you have the classic Sea Salt crisps - the flavour dances on your tongue when you break through the crusty nuggets of salt; then there is Cider Vinegar and Sea Salt crisps - with a moreish taste that is created by the use of Biddenden cider vinegar; next are the Oyster and Vinegar flavour - a favourite with many of Kent Crisps' lovers, and subtle in flavour; and finally my favourite, and winner of a Gold Award at The Great Taste Awards 2011, the Ashmore Cheese and Onion, with a lovely strong kick. Something for everyone.
The oysters are sourced as locally as possible, the cheese comes from a Canterbury producer who uses traditional 19th Century presses and let their cheeses mature for 5 months at least; and the orchards at Biddenden, the oldest trading vineyard in Kent (since 1969), supply the cider vinegar - a mix of culinary and dessert apples.
Now, the crisps are lovely just on their own, but even better washed down with a pint of local beer, as well as perfect an accompaniment to a traditional Ploughman's - a slab of cheese, a slice of pork pie, pickles and a crisp tasty apple. If you wonder what beer would go with these crisps, then hopefully I will be able to give you a general guide, as well as recommend a few examples.
Sea Salt Crisps: These would work well with a malty beer or perhaps one that is a bit fruity - perhaps something like Royal Tunbridge Wells Brewery's "Royal". A best bitter that has a lovely malty undertone to it.
Sea Salt and Biddenden Cider Vinegar: A malty beer would lose its flavour against the vinegar so a Golden Beer would be better with these crisps, for example Westerham's "Summer Perle Golden Ale".
Oyster and Vinegar Crisps: These crisps need some hoppiness in the beer to cut through the vinegar and the seafood flavour. A Pale Ale, Bitter, or hoppy IPA may be just the ticket, and I can't think of a better way to combine local oysters with Shepherd Neame's "Whitstable Bay, Organic Ale".
Ashmore Cheese and Onion Crisps: For something as strong as a mature cheese, a porter or stout would hold up against the flavour. Tonbridge Brewery do a fine pint of "Ebony Moon" that would match nicely.
Of course there are many many local breweries and beers that would go fantastically with these crisps, I have just merely offered a few recommendations. Do have a look at: www.camrawestkent.org.uk/breweries-in-kent/ for details of breweries here in the county.
For more information about Kent Crisps, and also find a store supplying them near you, their website is: www.kentcrisps.com
I hope to have time to do more foodie blogs in amongst my tour and historical ones, so do let me know if there is a particular South Eastern food that you think I should be trying.
A little background first about Kent Crisps - they are based at Quex Park in Birchington, on the East Coast of Kent, and the grounds are not only home to the crisp makers, but a Victorian house and The Powell-Cotton Museum which can be visited.
Why am I singing the praises of Kent crisps? Well, not only are they a friendly team and a local company; but they have ingenious flavours that use local produce as ingredients. No artificial flavourings, colourings or preservatives and 100% GM Free is an added bonus of these crunchy delights.
Made from Kent potatoes, they have sourced flavours to reflect the region - so you have the classic Sea Salt crisps - the flavour dances on your tongue when you break through the crusty nuggets of salt; then there is Cider Vinegar and Sea Salt crisps - with a moreish taste that is created by the use of Biddenden cider vinegar; next are the Oyster and Vinegar flavour - a favourite with many of Kent Crisps' lovers, and subtle in flavour; and finally my favourite, and winner of a Gold Award at The Great Taste Awards 2011, the Ashmore Cheese and Onion, with a lovely strong kick. Something for everyone.
The oysters are sourced as locally as possible, the cheese comes from a Canterbury producer who uses traditional 19th Century presses and let their cheeses mature for 5 months at least; and the orchards at Biddenden, the oldest trading vineyard in Kent (since 1969), supply the cider vinegar - a mix of culinary and dessert apples.
Now, the crisps are lovely just on their own, but even better washed down with a pint of local beer, as well as perfect an accompaniment to a traditional Ploughman's - a slab of cheese, a slice of pork pie, pickles and a crisp tasty apple. If you wonder what beer would go with these crisps, then hopefully I will be able to give you a general guide, as well as recommend a few examples.
Sea Salt Crisps: These would work well with a malty beer or perhaps one that is a bit fruity - perhaps something like Royal Tunbridge Wells Brewery's "Royal". A best bitter that has a lovely malty undertone to it.
Sea Salt and Biddenden Cider Vinegar: A malty beer would lose its flavour against the vinegar so a Golden Beer would be better with these crisps, for example Westerham's "Summer Perle Golden Ale".
Oyster and Vinegar Crisps: These crisps need some hoppiness in the beer to cut through the vinegar and the seafood flavour. A Pale Ale, Bitter, or hoppy IPA may be just the ticket, and I can't think of a better way to combine local oysters with Shepherd Neame's "Whitstable Bay, Organic Ale".
Ashmore Cheese and Onion Crisps: For something as strong as a mature cheese, a porter or stout would hold up against the flavour. Tonbridge Brewery do a fine pint of "Ebony Moon" that would match nicely.
Of course there are many many local breweries and beers that would go fantastically with these crisps, I have just merely offered a few recommendations. Do have a look at: www.camrawestkent.org.uk/breweries-in-kent/ for details of breweries here in the county.
For more information about Kent Crisps, and also find a store supplying them near you, their website is: www.kentcrisps.com
I hope to have time to do more foodie blogs in amongst my tour and historical ones, so do let me know if there is a particular South Eastern food that you think I should be trying.
Thursday 29 September 2011
If you go down to the woods today...
The weather is absolutely glorious here in the South East at the moment - summer has come at last! Though I think it may be rather a shock when we get back to "normal" temperatures for autumn.
Last weekend I went on a drive around the beautiful Ashdown Forest, in East Sussex. Once a royal hunting forest, today a fabulous place to go for a ramble or horse ride. An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) it stretches for 2500 hectares. From open heathland to wooded copses its a fabulous place to spend a day. Not only are there plenty of walks, but places to visit too, such as the Ashdown Forest Centre or the Llama Park!
The Forest is also home to a well loved children's character, Winnie the Pooh. Created by A.A.Milne in 1926 for his son, Christopher Robin, Pooh and his friends Tigger, Eeyore and Piglet have been ensconced in children's consciousnesses ever since. I stopped off in the village of Hartfield to visit Pooh Corner, a shop where you can buy anything and everything Pooh related - it was fabulous! You can buy cards, toys, books and even gardening equipment for children with Pooh and his friends on! You can even buy online: www.pooh-country.co.uk
You can buy maps and follow the trail of Pooh around the Forest. From the Enchanted Forest and Galleons Leap to playing Pooh Sticks at Pooh Bridge. A magical exploration of the world of Winnie the Pooh for children, big and small alike.
There are some lovely villages within and surrounding the Forest that are great to stop off at to grab an ice cream, do some shopping, or merely sit and have a drink in a cafe or traditional old pub - Forest Row, Maresfield and Crowborough to name a few. There are also the gardens of The National Trust owned Sheffield Park to explore plus a ride on the first preserved standard gauge passenger railway in the world, the Bluebell Railway.
So if you are visiting the South East of England this week, make the most of the glorious weather - go for a stroll in Ashdown Forest and then maybe head down to the beaches at Brighton, Camber, Broadstairs or Hastings to cool your feet. Whatever you choose to do - enjoy!
Last weekend I went on a drive around the beautiful Ashdown Forest, in East Sussex. Once a royal hunting forest, today a fabulous place to go for a ramble or horse ride. An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) it stretches for 2500 hectares. From open heathland to wooded copses its a fabulous place to spend a day. Not only are there plenty of walks, but places to visit too, such as the Ashdown Forest Centre or the Llama Park!
The Forest is also home to a well loved children's character, Winnie the Pooh. Created by A.A.Milne in 1926 for his son, Christopher Robin, Pooh and his friends Tigger, Eeyore and Piglet have been ensconced in children's consciousnesses ever since. I stopped off in the village of Hartfield to visit Pooh Corner, a shop where you can buy anything and everything Pooh related - it was fabulous! You can buy cards, toys, books and even gardening equipment for children with Pooh and his friends on! You can even buy online: www.pooh-country.co.uk
You can buy maps and follow the trail of Pooh around the Forest. From the Enchanted Forest and Galleons Leap to playing Pooh Sticks at Pooh Bridge. A magical exploration of the world of Winnie the Pooh for children, big and small alike.
There are some lovely villages within and surrounding the Forest that are great to stop off at to grab an ice cream, do some shopping, or merely sit and have a drink in a cafe or traditional old pub - Forest Row, Maresfield and Crowborough to name a few. There are also the gardens of The National Trust owned Sheffield Park to explore plus a ride on the first preserved standard gauge passenger railway in the world, the Bluebell Railway.
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| Forest Row, East Sussex |
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| Sheffield Park |
So if you are visiting the South East of England this week, make the most of the glorious weather - go for a stroll in Ashdown Forest and then maybe head down to the beaches at Brighton, Camber, Broadstairs or Hastings to cool your feet. Whatever you choose to do - enjoy!
Monday 26 September 2011
Countryfile in Kent
If you had time to watch on Sunday evening on BBC 1 the very popular Countryfile - usually handily on just before another high rating programme for the BBC, The Antiques Roadshow, you would have seen that they were featuring Kent as their main location for the episode.
It was wonderful to see featured Brogdale, home of The National Fruit Collection (featured in an earlier blog by myself) which is out near historic Faversham. Hundreds of varieties of plums, cherries, apples, nuts and pears are grown here, and when you visit you can not only walk amongst the orchards but happily pick the fruit straight off the tree and eat it! Many a time I've visited and come away with a rather full tummy from "scrumping" various varieties from the branches. To top it all you can happily sit and enjoy a cup of tea and a then a shop in the Market Place there as well! Perfect. And to top it all if you were to head into Faversham itself you could organise yourself a visit to the UK's oldest brewery - Shepherd Neame. A tour of here can be made part of your overall visit to Faversham and Brogdale, including a historic guided walk by Discover South East England. Just contact me for further details.
Continuing on their theme of Kent on Countryfile, although no mention was made of the hop picking that used to, and in some areas, still, continues; the presenters travelled to the coast to find rock oysters and inland to explore Down House, the home of the great naturalist Charles Darwin. It was here at Down House that Darwin wrote the famous "On the Origin of Species" and would wander his garden collecting and observing wildlife. The house and garden has just been short-listed for World Heritage Status this year. For further information about Down House - take a look at: www.englishheritage.org.uk and search for the property.
The programme finally ended on one of the more unusual games unique to Kent - Bat and Trap. Still played in many local pubs, the game is believed to have been an early form of cricket. As simply as I can I will try and explain the game - you have a paddle or bat, and to release a ball from inside a box (known as the trap) you have to press on a release mechanism with your bat. Once released the ball springs into the air and in that moment you have to hit the ball and try and get it to land at the other end of the pitch between two posts. You then score if you do so. At that end are the other team who have to catch the ball and then roll it back to the trap, trying to hit a target on the front of the trap. If the target is knocked over then you are out of the game and the points are lost! Not as complicated as cricket, but still difficult enough. There are many more intricacies to the game but I will leave it to you to find out more via: www.batandtrap.org/
If you missed Countryfile on Sunday you can still watch a repeat of it on i player - go to: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006t0bv - enjoy!
It was wonderful to see featured Brogdale, home of The National Fruit Collection (featured in an earlier blog by myself) which is out near historic Faversham. Hundreds of varieties of plums, cherries, apples, nuts and pears are grown here, and when you visit you can not only walk amongst the orchards but happily pick the fruit straight off the tree and eat it! Many a time I've visited and come away with a rather full tummy from "scrumping" various varieties from the branches. To top it all you can happily sit and enjoy a cup of tea and a then a shop in the Market Place there as well! Perfect. And to top it all if you were to head into Faversham itself you could organise yourself a visit to the UK's oldest brewery - Shepherd Neame. A tour of here can be made part of your overall visit to Faversham and Brogdale, including a historic guided walk by Discover South East England. Just contact me for further details.
Continuing on their theme of Kent on Countryfile, although no mention was made of the hop picking that used to, and in some areas, still, continues; the presenters travelled to the coast to find rock oysters and inland to explore Down House, the home of the great naturalist Charles Darwin. It was here at Down House that Darwin wrote the famous "On the Origin of Species" and would wander his garden collecting and observing wildlife. The house and garden has just been short-listed for World Heritage Status this year. For further information about Down House - take a look at: www.englishheritage.org.uk and search for the property.
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| Dawin's Study at Down House, Kent |
The programme finally ended on one of the more unusual games unique to Kent - Bat and Trap. Still played in many local pubs, the game is believed to have been an early form of cricket. As simply as I can I will try and explain the game - you have a paddle or bat, and to release a ball from inside a box (known as the trap) you have to press on a release mechanism with your bat. Once released the ball springs into the air and in that moment you have to hit the ball and try and get it to land at the other end of the pitch between two posts. You then score if you do so. At that end are the other team who have to catch the ball and then roll it back to the trap, trying to hit a target on the front of the trap. If the target is knocked over then you are out of the game and the points are lost! Not as complicated as cricket, but still difficult enough. There are many more intricacies to the game but I will leave it to you to find out more via: www.batandtrap.org/
If you missed Countryfile on Sunday you can still watch a repeat of it on i player - go to: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006t0bv - enjoy!
Thursday 22 September 2011
New Readers!
The viewers of my website and blog are ever expanding! Welcome to readers from Brazil, Ireland, Estonia, Singapore, Canada, Germany and Portugal!
Do please drop me a line to discuss travel plans to the UK, even if you aren't visiting the South East, or just send me a message to simply say hello! You can even say hello to me now on twitter too - I'm @cathdiscoversee. (Everything said on my twitter account are my personal thoughts and not that of the company.) Look forward to your tweets and thoughts.
Do please drop me a line to discuss travel plans to the UK, even if you aren't visiting the South East, or just send me a message to simply say hello! You can even say hello to me now on twitter too - I'm @cathdiscoversee. (Everything said on my twitter account are my personal thoughts and not that of the company.) Look forward to your tweets and thoughts.
Monday 19 September 2011
Christmas!!
I know, far too early it seems to be talking about Christmas already, but it is less than 100 days till the 25th rolls around again. I just wanted to make mention on here to keep your eyes posted for some exciting plans I have coming up for this year!! The elves are busy with not only Father Christmas, but in my grotto too and coming up with some winter wonderland tours and other activities. You will just have to watch this space, and hope that you have been a good boy or girl this year!
Are you a Nutter?
Autumn is once more upon us. Doesn't time fly! I can't believe the summer is already over, and here in the South East the trees are already beginning to change colour to their autumnal hues of golds, reds and browns. There are some fantastic woodland walks that I can take you on if you are visiting the area - just email me for details; but in this blog I want to talk about a crop that at this time is harvested in the South East - the cob nut.
Cob nuts are cultivated wild hazelnuts, also known as filberts. Cob nuts have been in England since the 16th Century and the county of Kent has always been famous for its own variety - the Kentish Cob Nut, since around the 1830s. They are in season between August and October and are always marketed fresh. You can eat cob nuts when green or when more mature at the end of September when they are the more familiar golden colour, and much sweeter.
Kent once had over 7,000 acres of cob nut orchards, or "platts" as they were once known. Today there are around 250 acres. The nuts have to be picked by hand and those who do so are known as "nutters". In the 16th Century it is even known that children played an early version of conkers with cob nuts called "cobblenut".
Allegedly cob nuts were popular with mariners as they kept fresh for months and are also very high in protein. If you do buy some, keep them in a cool dry place and turn them every day to ensure they don't get damp or mouldy.
If you are visiting the South East this autumn, then the best place to go nutting is around the Greensand Ridge area of Kent - between Sevenoaks, Maidstone and Tonbridge. Places such as Allens Farm near Plaxtol, sell them at the farm gate, or you can find them in local greengrocers.
Other varieties of cob nuts include the Gunslebert, Merville de Bollwiller (or Hall's Giant), Butler, Ennis and Cosford. For more information about cob nuts and the local suppliers, take a look at www.cobnuts.co.uk or www.kentishcobnutsassociation.co.uk
You can not only try cob nuts on their own, or kept preserved in honey, but there are other recipes you can use cob nuts in - including a very seasonal Damson and Cob nut Mincemeat. I like the very simple recipe of chocolate cob nuts - roasted in the oven then rolled in melted chocolate, and sprinkled with cocoa powder as they cool. Yum! Roll on winter I say - as the nights draw in, good excuses for wrapping up warm and autumnal walks around the local area where you can pick up the nuts, apples, pears, plums, damsons and blackberries to create lots of warming and filling pies, puddings and tarts.
Cob nuts are cultivated wild hazelnuts, also known as filberts. Cob nuts have been in England since the 16th Century and the county of Kent has always been famous for its own variety - the Kentish Cob Nut, since around the 1830s. They are in season between August and October and are always marketed fresh. You can eat cob nuts when green or when more mature at the end of September when they are the more familiar golden colour, and much sweeter.
Kent once had over 7,000 acres of cob nut orchards, or "platts" as they were once known. Today there are around 250 acres. The nuts have to be picked by hand and those who do so are known as "nutters". In the 16th Century it is even known that children played an early version of conkers with cob nuts called "cobblenut".
Allegedly cob nuts were popular with mariners as they kept fresh for months and are also very high in protein. If you do buy some, keep them in a cool dry place and turn them every day to ensure they don't get damp or mouldy.
If you are visiting the South East this autumn, then the best place to go nutting is around the Greensand Ridge area of Kent - between Sevenoaks, Maidstone and Tonbridge. Places such as Allens Farm near Plaxtol, sell them at the farm gate, or you can find them in local greengrocers.
Other varieties of cob nuts include the Gunslebert, Merville de Bollwiller (or Hall's Giant), Butler, Ennis and Cosford. For more information about cob nuts and the local suppliers, take a look at www.cobnuts.co.uk or www.kentishcobnutsassociation.co.uk
You can not only try cob nuts on their own, or kept preserved in honey, but there are other recipes you can use cob nuts in - including a very seasonal Damson and Cob nut Mincemeat. I like the very simple recipe of chocolate cob nuts - roasted in the oven then rolled in melted chocolate, and sprinkled with cocoa powder as they cool. Yum! Roll on winter I say - as the nights draw in, good excuses for wrapping up warm and autumnal walks around the local area where you can pick up the nuts, apples, pears, plums, damsons and blackberries to create lots of warming and filling pies, puddings and tarts.
Thursday 25 August 2011
Medical Miracles
This past week I have been laid up in bed with a horrible throat, chest and ear infection, which knocked me for six! Only now have the antibiotics kicked in which have enabled me to get up and actually come and check my e-mail etc... During this time I have, however, been able to think about how lucky we are in the 21st Century to have the wonders of modern medicine to be thankful for, compared to our ancestors.
In the current situation I find myself in I have to thank Alexander Fleming (1881-1955) who discovered during his research of the antibiotic, Penicillin in 1928. But, who else do we have to thank for medical wonders that we, today, take for-granted? Thanks to Louis Pasteur's work we would not have Joseph's Lister's pioneering work on antiseptic surgery, and the discovery of chemical disinfectants, that was inspired by Pasteur. Lister in fact lived out the rest of his days in the South East of England at Walmer in Kent.
A born and bred son of Kent who is famous in the medical world, was William Harvey (1578 - 1657). Harvey was born in Folkestone, and you can still see his statue on The Leas today, or even visit The William Harvey Hospital in Ashford. Harvey was the first in 1628 to publish his description of the circulation of the blood around the human body. He also had the prestigious honour of being a physician to King James I.
Another man who should be mentioned is Sir James Simpson, a Scottish physician, who in the 1840s pioneered the use of painkillers, most specifically the use of chloroform vapour to ease childbirth. The use of chloroform in this regard was not taken seriously until Queen Victoria herself used this during the birth of Prince Leopold in 1853.
Before this explosion in Victorian medical inventions and discoveries, if you were ill or seriously hurt, you really did not have many options, either for pain relief or the reliability of your doctor/surgeon. Going back in time to the middle ages it was often Monks who were relied upon in medical situations. They were one of the few sections of society who could read the medical literature that was out there, mainly written by Arab scholars to start with. If you weren't lucky to live near a monastery or religious community then really you relied on word of mouth, the experience of others, and old wives tales. For hundred's of years our ancestors relied on a mix of pagan, religious and scientific beliefs to cure all sorts of ailments. Plants and flowers were often used in cures. And there is certainly some truth to some of the remedies - such as chewing cloves for toothache.
In 1215 the Pope declared that Monks should stop treating the sick and that peasants should learn to treat themselves. I think a farmer's knowledge of cattle castration, really didn't qualify them for operations, but this is who the poor had to rely on! Local barbers would not only cut your hair and trim your beard, but take your teeth out for you as well if you wanted, as well as other surgical procedures such as removal of cataracts! Of course there are many tales of Quack Doctors, who were those who saw a way of making some money on the back of the ignorance and desperation of other. However, only a small section of society could afford a qualified doctor, but even if one did pay for a doctor, it did not guarantee you your recovery! Much medicine was trial and error!
The influence of the Greeks on medicine cannot be ignored, for centuries the Hippocratic Method was pretty much standard across Europe. Bloodletting either by opening a vein or using leeches was said to cure people of their problems, as each illness related to one of the "Four Humours" that Aristotle and Hippocrates believed the human body was divided into - this was blood, phlegm, yellow bile and black bile, and all should be in balance. If you were ill, your body was out of balance and as such needed to be purged of the Humour that was affecting it. Another "cure all" prescribed to many was the highly toxic element of Mercury, often used to help with venereal diseases well into the 18th Century.
There really wasn't any painkillers as we know today - people tried various herbs and plants such as hemlock or opium poppies, to help with the pain, however you hoped that you would either pass out from the pain, or perhaps be drunk before surgery was performed. The Herb Garret Old Operating Theatre discovered opposite St Thomas' Hospital in London, really brings to life the reality of medicine and surgery in the early 19th Century, just before anaesthesia. There are even wooden blocks solidly chomped into by the poor people who were operated on over the years - give to them to help them with the pain and to prevent them crying out.
In Samuel Pepys' diary, written in the 17th Century, Pepys' gives us a very vivid account of his own bladder stone operation in 1658, which tells in excruciating leg crossing detail what he went through. Even prehistoric finds have shown signs of surgery - there are a number of examples of trepanning, a technique that was used to alleviate any pressure on the brain, by drilling a hole through the top of the head! Ouch! Some of these very early skulls, do however, show signs that the person survived and healed. Amazing.
Local and national Nursery Rhymes, old wives tales and folk stories also inform us of people's attitudes/remedies etc...to illness. The nursery rhyme "Ring a Ring o' Rosies" is believed to relate to either the Bubonic Plague or the Pox. Certainly people did hold posies of flowers and herbs to their noses to disguise awful smells, and perhaps also to prevent the passing on of disease. Even in the last century, my grandfather still believed that a good dollop of goose fat on the chest when one had a cold really helped!
On reflection of everything, it certainly makes me very grateful for the continuing innovations in science and medicine today! Hope you enjoyed this blog entry, and do let me know of any "home" remedies or tales of medicine that interest you.
In the current situation I find myself in I have to thank Alexander Fleming (1881-1955) who discovered during his research of the antibiotic, Penicillin in 1928. But, who else do we have to thank for medical wonders that we, today, take for-granted? Thanks to Louis Pasteur's work we would not have Joseph's Lister's pioneering work on antiseptic surgery, and the discovery of chemical disinfectants, that was inspired by Pasteur. Lister in fact lived out the rest of his days in the South East of England at Walmer in Kent.
 |
| Alexander Fleming |
A born and bred son of Kent who is famous in the medical world, was William Harvey (1578 - 1657). Harvey was born in Folkestone, and you can still see his statue on The Leas today, or even visit The William Harvey Hospital in Ashford. Harvey was the first in 1628 to publish his description of the circulation of the blood around the human body. He also had the prestigious honour of being a physician to King James I.
 |
| William Harvey statue in Folkestone, Kent |
Another man who should be mentioned is Sir James Simpson, a Scottish physician, who in the 1840s pioneered the use of painkillers, most specifically the use of chloroform vapour to ease childbirth. The use of chloroform in this regard was not taken seriously until Queen Victoria herself used this during the birth of Prince Leopold in 1853.
Before this explosion in Victorian medical inventions and discoveries, if you were ill or seriously hurt, you really did not have many options, either for pain relief or the reliability of your doctor/surgeon. Going back in time to the middle ages it was often Monks who were relied upon in medical situations. They were one of the few sections of society who could read the medical literature that was out there, mainly written by Arab scholars to start with. If you weren't lucky to live near a monastery or religious community then really you relied on word of mouth, the experience of others, and old wives tales. For hundred's of years our ancestors relied on a mix of pagan, religious and scientific beliefs to cure all sorts of ailments. Plants and flowers were often used in cures. And there is certainly some truth to some of the remedies - such as chewing cloves for toothache.
In 1215 the Pope declared that Monks should stop treating the sick and that peasants should learn to treat themselves. I think a farmer's knowledge of cattle castration, really didn't qualify them for operations, but this is who the poor had to rely on! Local barbers would not only cut your hair and trim your beard, but take your teeth out for you as well if you wanted, as well as other surgical procedures such as removal of cataracts! Of course there are many tales of Quack Doctors, who were those who saw a way of making some money on the back of the ignorance and desperation of other. However, only a small section of society could afford a qualified doctor, but even if one did pay for a doctor, it did not guarantee you your recovery! Much medicine was trial and error!
 |
| Hippocrates |
There really wasn't any painkillers as we know today - people tried various herbs and plants such as hemlock or opium poppies, to help with the pain, however you hoped that you would either pass out from the pain, or perhaps be drunk before surgery was performed. The Herb Garret Old Operating Theatre discovered opposite St Thomas' Hospital in London, really brings to life the reality of medicine and surgery in the early 19th Century, just before anaesthesia. There are even wooden blocks solidly chomped into by the poor people who were operated on over the years - give to them to help them with the pain and to prevent them crying out.
 |
| Old Operating Theatre, London |
 |
| Evidence of Trepanning on ancient skull |
Local and national Nursery Rhymes, old wives tales and folk stories also inform us of people's attitudes/remedies etc...to illness. The nursery rhyme "Ring a Ring o' Rosies" is believed to relate to either the Bubonic Plague or the Pox. Certainly people did hold posies of flowers and herbs to their noses to disguise awful smells, and perhaps also to prevent the passing on of disease. Even in the last century, my grandfather still believed that a good dollop of goose fat on the chest when one had a cold really helped!
On reflection of everything, it certainly makes me very grateful for the continuing innovations in science and medicine today! Hope you enjoyed this blog entry, and do let me know of any "home" remedies or tales of medicine that interest you.
Friday 19 August 2011
A Bun on the Run in Sandwich!
There are many local and national traditions that happen throughout the year, plus many fun books written about them. I hope to be able to bring your attention to some of the more unusual ones, especially those in the South East region.
On Wednesday 24th August, try and get yourself down to the Cinque Port of Sandwich - a beautiful town with a large concentration of preserved medieval houses. It is on the 24th August, St Bartholomew's Day, that you can join in the Sandwich Bun Race for free at St Bartholomew's Hospital.
St Bartholomew's Hospital is one of the oldest established hostelries for pilgrims and travellers. The building dates back to 1190 and is located on the Dover road - an important pilgrimage route from London via Canterbury and on to the Continent. The Chapel was built around 1217 and is said it was built to celebrate the defeat of the French.
Every 24th August, a special service begins at 11am which concludes with a run around the church. Children are given buns, and adults are given a hard baked biscuit stamped with the arms of the town on it. The buns and biscuits may represent a dole of bread that may have been given out to the poor, but no one is sure for certain. What you do need to know, though, is that the Bartlemas Bun Run is part of The Sandwich Festival 2011 which this year runs all week from Sunday 21st August to Monday 29th August, with music, festivals, walks, fashion shows, Markets, Duck Races and much more.
Have a look at: www.open-sandwich.co.uk for more details.
On Wednesday 24th August, try and get yourself down to the Cinque Port of Sandwich - a beautiful town with a large concentration of preserved medieval houses. It is on the 24th August, St Bartholomew's Day, that you can join in the Sandwich Bun Race for free at St Bartholomew's Hospital.
St Bartholomew's Hospital is one of the oldest established hostelries for pilgrims and travellers. The building dates back to 1190 and is located on the Dover road - an important pilgrimage route from London via Canterbury and on to the Continent. The Chapel was built around 1217 and is said it was built to celebrate the defeat of the French.
Every 24th August, a special service begins at 11am which concludes with a run around the church. Children are given buns, and adults are given a hard baked biscuit stamped with the arms of the town on it. The buns and biscuits may represent a dole of bread that may have been given out to the poor, but no one is sure for certain. What you do need to know, though, is that the Bartlemas Bun Run is part of The Sandwich Festival 2011 which this year runs all week from Sunday 21st August to Monday 29th August, with music, festivals, walks, fashion shows, Markets, Duck Races and much more.
Have a look at: www.open-sandwich.co.uk for more details.
Monday 8 August 2011
Take Pride in Brighton!
This weekend has been incredibly busy - with tours both in Brighton and in Canterbury. However, the tour I have next weekend in Brighton will be an even more colourful one. Not only am I doing a Fashion Tour for some University Students, but the day I am doing this, Saturday 13th August, is the Brighton Pride Parade.
Brighton has always been a very liberal, fun loving and tolerant city; even in the days of the ultimate "bad boy", the Prince Regent. Today, Brighton has one of the largest L.G.B.T. communities in Europe, and celebrates this fact twice a year with Pride events throughout the city.
Open to all, Pride 2011 will be a fantastic mix of dance, music and entertainment - and it's started already! This week is full of different events but it all culminates with the Pride Parade which kicks off at 11am from Madeira Drive - right on the seafront by the iconic Pier. Look out for floats, dance troops and maybe even some stars! They wind their way out to Preston Park where for the rest of the day and into the evening you can enjoy caberet, dancing, a fun fair and even a live music stage. This year Brighton welcomes the 2008 and 2009 X Factor winners, Alexander Burke and Joe McElderry respectively, to the stage.
The Park events are ticket only (see the website link for more details of events and how to buy tickets), but throughout the city there are street parties and lots of fun going on. I can't wait to combine my tour with some of the magic that will will see on the streets of Brighton!
Brighton has always been a very liberal, fun loving and tolerant city; even in the days of the ultimate "bad boy", the Prince Regent. Today, Brighton has one of the largest L.G.B.T. communities in Europe, and celebrates this fact twice a year with Pride events throughout the city.
Open to all, Pride 2011 will be a fantastic mix of dance, music and entertainment - and it's started already! This week is full of different events but it all culminates with the Pride Parade which kicks off at 11am from Madeira Drive - right on the seafront by the iconic Pier. Look out for floats, dance troops and maybe even some stars! They wind their way out to Preston Park where for the rest of the day and into the evening you can enjoy caberet, dancing, a fun fair and even a live music stage. This year Brighton welcomes the 2008 and 2009 X Factor winners, Alexander Burke and Joe McElderry respectively, to the stage.
The Park events are ticket only (see the website link for more details of events and how to buy tickets), but throughout the city there are street parties and lots of fun going on. I can't wait to combine my tour with some of the magic that will will see on the streets of Brighton!
Saturday 6 August 2011
From Artefacts to Ale
On Thursday, I chose to have a day away from the office, and with no tours on I decided on the luxury of an afternoon and evening trip up to our great capital - London! Only 50 minutes by train from Tunbridge Wells, we really are very lucky here in the South East to be so near, yet so far that we don't feel London's mighty reach.
To be honest, when I go on day trips out, rare as they are now, they tend to be History/Heritage related and this trip was no exception. There was an ulterior motive as well, since I had won via twitter (yes, you can follow me on twitter @cathdiscoversee ) an evening on a pub tour run by a London based guide. Now, that is mixing two of my loves - history and pubs (oh and beer - okay three loves!). Quite appropriate really as that week was the G.B.B.F - Great British Beer Festival at Earls Court. However, for once I was not heading there, but into the City of London!
Before I started the evening's jollities, I headed on foot from Charing Cross, to Lincoln's Inn Fields - the largest public square in London, and home to the Inns of Court and notable barristers. Lincoln's Inn is one of the four Inns of Court in London to which barristers have to join; the others being Inner Temple, Middle Temple and Grey's Inn. Around this square are not only some very fine buildings of architectural note, but also a number of museums - two extremely fascinating. One, which I had visited before and won't talk about in this blog, is the Hunterian Museum within the Royal College of Surgeons - if your thing is to see various pickled animals and anatomical parts in glass jars, then this is the place for you! A place of wonder and of queasiness all in one museum and all free.
The other Museum is that of Sir John Soane's - it too is free entry, except on the Saturday Guided Tour at 11am. I have been meaning to go to this museum for a number of years, and should have come sooner! What an amazing place. Very difficult to describe, but trust me, you walk around in wonderment looking at the floor, ceiling, doors, cabinets, and walls that are all covered in pieces of art and antiquities, crammed in every nook and cranny. Soane was a famous architect (1753-1837) who not only designed the building for himself to live in, but to display his collections. In the Painting Room the guide opened up the walls to reveal a courtyard full of treasures, then on the other side of this extremely small room, the walls revealed one of Hogarth's most famous series of paintings, The Rake's Progress!
I thoroughly recommend going to this museum - but be warned it is very narrow in parts and bags are not allowed inside for obvious reasons; but this matters little when you are staring at a Canaletto, the surviving medieval pieces of the Palace of Westminster, or the Egyptian Pharaoh Seti I's outer sarcophagus!! The first Tuesday of every month they open in the evenings for candlelit tours - something for next time I think! Take a look at www.soane.org to wet your appetite.
After immersing myself in this wonder I then proceeded to the allotted meeting place - Chancery Court Tube Station for the start of the Pub Tour of Olde London Towne. This tour, and many other pub tours of the City, are run by a rather splendid chap called Vic Norman, under the guise of The Dragon and Flagon Pub Tours. I was eagerly awaiting our tour around the six mystery pubs of the City and was not to be disappointed. There were seven of us in total who were on the tour, all from different walks of life, and you didn't have to drink beer on the tour if you didn't want to. However, it was rude for me not to try a few halves here and there, all in the name of research of course!
We began with a brief history of the City and moved swiftly to our first hidden pub - where once a young Queen Elizabeth I danced around a cherry tree in its courtyard. I don't want to reveal the names of the pubs however, lest it spoil Vic's tours. I urge you instead to go on one yourself. Hopefully this blog will tempt you!
On through the site of the Strawberry Fair and the haunts of William Shakespeare's characters we went, to a magnificent barrel vaulted ceiling pub dating back to the 16th Century, then swiftly through time to a pub that was in fact positioned between where the shop of Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber, and Mrs Lovett's Pie Shop once were!! 1500 years of history in a few hours, time flew by with jokes and fascinating facts. From pubs once the haunt of Charles Dickens to an Art Deco wonder, via a Roman road, it was an enthralling evening. Tired, but very happy I managed to catch the last train back home. What a wonderful day!
For more information about Vic's London Pub Tours, you can follow him via Facebook - The Dragon and Flagon or contact him directly by calling 07504 977267 or email: vicnorman@postmaster.co.uk
I have certainly felt inspired by Vic's tours for my ale trails!
To be honest, when I go on day trips out, rare as they are now, they tend to be History/Heritage related and this trip was no exception. There was an ulterior motive as well, since I had won via twitter (yes, you can follow me on twitter @cathdiscoversee ) an evening on a pub tour run by a London based guide. Now, that is mixing two of my loves - history and pubs (oh and beer - okay three loves!). Quite appropriate really as that week was the G.B.B.F - Great British Beer Festival at Earls Court. However, for once I was not heading there, but into the City of London!
Before I started the evening's jollities, I headed on foot from Charing Cross, to Lincoln's Inn Fields - the largest public square in London, and home to the Inns of Court and notable barristers. Lincoln's Inn is one of the four Inns of Court in London to which barristers have to join; the others being Inner Temple, Middle Temple and Grey's Inn. Around this square are not only some very fine buildings of architectural note, but also a number of museums - two extremely fascinating. One, which I had visited before and won't talk about in this blog, is the Hunterian Museum within the Royal College of Surgeons - if your thing is to see various pickled animals and anatomical parts in glass jars, then this is the place for you! A place of wonder and of queasiness all in one museum and all free.
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| Hunterian Museum, London |
The other Museum is that of Sir John Soane's - it too is free entry, except on the Saturday Guided Tour at 11am. I have been meaning to go to this museum for a number of years, and should have come sooner! What an amazing place. Very difficult to describe, but trust me, you walk around in wonderment looking at the floor, ceiling, doors, cabinets, and walls that are all covered in pieces of art and antiquities, crammed in every nook and cranny. Soane was a famous architect (1753-1837) who not only designed the building for himself to live in, but to display his collections. In the Painting Room the guide opened up the walls to reveal a courtyard full of treasures, then on the other side of this extremely small room, the walls revealed one of Hogarth's most famous series of paintings, The Rake's Progress!
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| Sir John Soane Museum, London |
I thoroughly recommend going to this museum - but be warned it is very narrow in parts and bags are not allowed inside for obvious reasons; but this matters little when you are staring at a Canaletto, the surviving medieval pieces of the Palace of Westminster, or the Egyptian Pharaoh Seti I's outer sarcophagus!! The first Tuesday of every month they open in the evenings for candlelit tours - something for next time I think! Take a look at www.soane.org to wet your appetite.
After immersing myself in this wonder I then proceeded to the allotted meeting place - Chancery Court Tube Station for the start of the Pub Tour of Olde London Towne. This tour, and many other pub tours of the City, are run by a rather splendid chap called Vic Norman, under the guise of The Dragon and Flagon Pub Tours. I was eagerly awaiting our tour around the six mystery pubs of the City and was not to be disappointed. There were seven of us in total who were on the tour, all from different walks of life, and you didn't have to drink beer on the tour if you didn't want to. However, it was rude for me not to try a few halves here and there, all in the name of research of course!
We began with a brief history of the City and moved swiftly to our first hidden pub - where once a young Queen Elizabeth I danced around a cherry tree in its courtyard. I don't want to reveal the names of the pubs however, lest it spoil Vic's tours. I urge you instead to go on one yourself. Hopefully this blog will tempt you!
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| One of the many pubs on The Dragon and Flagon's Pub Tour of Olde London Towne |
On through the site of the Strawberry Fair and the haunts of William Shakespeare's characters we went, to a magnificent barrel vaulted ceiling pub dating back to the 16th Century, then swiftly through time to a pub that was in fact positioned between where the shop of Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber, and Mrs Lovett's Pie Shop once were!! 1500 years of history in a few hours, time flew by with jokes and fascinating facts. From pubs once the haunt of Charles Dickens to an Art Deco wonder, via a Roman road, it was an enthralling evening. Tired, but very happy I managed to catch the last train back home. What a wonderful day!
For more information about Vic's London Pub Tours, you can follow him via Facebook - The Dragon and Flagon or contact him directly by calling 07504 977267 or email: vicnorman@postmaster.co.uk
I have certainly felt inspired by Vic's tours for my ale trails!
Thursday 21 July 2011
Viewings from around the World - Update!
Just a quick update and a big hello to all my new blog, and hopefully website, friends! As per a previous blog, I seem to have lots of international readers and would like to once again thank you all. New countries this month include: Russia, Vietnam, Egypt, Romania, Switzerland, France, Belgium, India, Singapore, Thailand, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico, Ukraine, Kenya and Taiwan. Fantastic and welcome!
Please feel free to leave comments or ask any questions. I hope that you will all at some point be able to visit the beautiful South East of England and that I will get a chance to meet you and to guide you around.
Summer!
Goodness! Hasn't time flown, it is hard to believe we are almost at August. The schools here in the UK have been breaking up for the Summer Holidays, so soon people will be disappearing on their breaks abroad. However, us Guides are hoping that some people will also be staying in the UK to take their holidays - we have some great places to stay that are family friendly in the South East!
You could choose to go to one of our great beaches along the South Coast such as Camber Sands, or enjoy the seaside resorts of Brighton and Bognor Regis. For days away from the sea we have the Howletts and Port Lympne Wild Animal Parks, Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventure or the Hop Farm near Paddock Wood to keep the children entertained. The South East also has a number of steam railways that run children's events throughout the summer - Tunbridge Wells has its very own SPA Railway, while at Sheffield Park in Sussex there is the first preserved standard guage railway line in the world, the Bluebell Railway.
If you thought that only Glastonbury was one of the big festivals of the UK, well, you'd be wrong. The South East has many festivals over the Summer, from Opera at Glyndebourne, to live bands playing at Guilfest in Guildford. So there is much to do for young and old alike.
Wherever you are based, your local Tourist Information Centre should be able to give you lots of advice and booklets about things to do; and don't forget to use your local Blue Badge Guides to help you to really get under the skin of where you are staying or visiting. A Guide really brings to life a place, more than a booklet ever will, and we know all the secret routes that you may never find yourself!!
You could choose to go to one of our great beaches along the South Coast such as Camber Sands, or enjoy the seaside resorts of Brighton and Bognor Regis. For days away from the sea we have the Howletts and Port Lympne Wild Animal Parks, Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventure or the Hop Farm near Paddock Wood to keep the children entertained. The South East also has a number of steam railways that run children's events throughout the summer - Tunbridge Wells has its very own SPA Railway, while at Sheffield Park in Sussex there is the first preserved standard guage railway line in the world, the Bluebell Railway. |
| Port Lympne Safari Park |
If you thought that only Glastonbury was one of the big festivals of the UK, well, you'd be wrong. The South East has many festivals over the Summer, from Opera at Glyndebourne, to live bands playing at Guilfest in Guildford. So there is much to do for young and old alike.
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| Guilfest - Guildford |
Wherever you are based, your local Tourist Information Centre should be able to give you lots of advice and booklets about things to do; and don't forget to use your local Blue Badge Guides to help you to really get under the skin of where you are staying or visiting. A Guide really brings to life a place, more than a booklet ever will, and we know all the secret routes that you may never find yourself!!
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