Time to Celebrate!

Sue, and Vicky invited us to 

The Green Patch Volunteers Christmas lunch

where the most amazing feast was laid out for

all to enjoy!

Later we made paper plate Christmas Wreaths

enjoyed more fabulous food

Santa Nigel arrived to give out our lovely gifts

twice in one week!

What's in the bag?

Time to feast and be jolly!

Sue and the volunteers had made the polytunnel

a grotto fit for santas elves!

who were busy more wreaths

and Flush Me Not angels

there was a bit of pizza making

with healthy toppings

and just a bit of cheese!

Whilst waiting Sue had organised

fun and games.

Here are more presents - these we made for Vicky's group.

Jamie tucks into his hand made pizza.

Look - some very cute reindeer!

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas

So far The View from Here has been

fabulous, we've met and made , sewn and grown,

felt part of our local and wider communities.

We can't wait to see you again in the New Year!

May Book Talk

Opinions were divided about The Pleasure of English Food - Alan Davidson - Meriel felt it was more of a list of foods rather than an engaging bedtime read (like many, she loves a good book to unwind with at the end of busy day). As a vegetarian, the meat heavy cuisine was hard to read about, however she did enjoy finding out more about some of the pioneers of food writing ie Mrs Beeton, who she knew very little about other than having heard her name.

To complement the contents of the book, our picnic contained a tiny taste of some traditional treats like pork pie, eccles cake, treacle tart, apricot frangipani, Bakewell tart, apples, sponge cake and salad.

Meriel thought Some Country Houses and Their Owners - James Lees-Milne was a far more interesting bedtime read as the book is based on the gossipy yet engaging diaries of James Lees-Milne who described his encounters with the owners of country houses just as their world of privilege and entitlement seemed to be ending forever. The book gives an insiders view of eccentric lords, oil millionaires and raffish socialists, all made as Lees-Milne travelled over England saving properties for the National Trust. It also describes the damage and rough treatment such houses received at the hands of  soldiers billeted in them during the war and how painful it was for people to contemplate losing their ancestral homes. Many buildings were lost after the war as owners could no longer afford their upkeep. It shows the National Trust and James lees-Milnne's attempts to persuade people to give their properties over to the care of the Trust instead of letting them fall into ruin and decay. 

Why not join us for the May Book Talk

From 12.00pm - 1-00pm

Meriel White will be discussing 

The Pleasure of English Food - Alan Davidson

“Stargazey pie, Cheshire cheese, toffee apples, fish and chips, Sussex pond pudding, Cumberland sausages, pasties, gingerbread, dumplings and Cox's orange pippins are just some of the edible delights in this glorious celebration of English food from across the country and its history. From the etiquette of afternoon tea to the origins of mince pies, from the best way to eat a Stilton to how to cook a proper Yorkshire pudding, here are both well-loved favourites and unsung heroes from the nation's mouth-watering culinary heritage.” Penguin Books

Some Country Houses and their Owners - James Lees-Milne

“During the 1930s and 1940s, a charming, clever and sharply observant young man named James Lees-Milne visited the owners of country houses all over England with a view to persuading them to hand over their properties for preservation by the National Trust.  His famous diaries of these travels, first published in the 1970s, are both uproariously funny, as he describes the owners' eccentricities, and deeply poignant, as he depicts a world and way of life which are coming to an end. “ Penguin Books

You might like to bring coffee and cake! There are copies of the books available please contact Carole Miles emshape.carole@virgin.net

Directions to the meeting point - Approaching from the A14 -Turn off at Junction 2 and head north on the A508 towards Market Harborough, shortly after the entrance to Kelmarsh Hall the road descends and reaches a left hand bend, take the turning right on the apex of thisbend signposted "Arthingworth 1 1/2"

Carry on along this road until you reach the first farm on your left alongside the bridge over the road. Immediately after the bridge turn left onto the Car Park/Picnic area.

For those approaching from the north on the A508 the Arthingworth turn is at the end of the long straight after you have passed the left and right lay-by's. 

If you are joining us please tick the Book Talk slot at the Doodle Link here