brandon town magazine - issue 4
DESCRIPTION
December edition of the Brandon Town MagazineTRANSCRIPT
BrandonSUFFOLK
TOWN MAGAZINEDECEMBER 2013 - ISSUE 4
MerryChristmas
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Welcome to BrandonChristmas is now just around the corner and the whole team would like to wish the residents of Brandon and Weeting a very merry Christmas. We hope you’ve enjoyed what we’ve brought you in 2013 and look forward to making the magazine even better as we head into 2014.
Don’t forget you can contact us by email on [email protected] if you would like to let us know of any upcoming events, advertise your business, send your letters to the editor or to submit a report for any local group or organisation.
RegardsThe Brandon Town Magazine Team
Deadline for January issue 13th December
Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of information contained within this publication, the publishers take no responsibility for the accuracy of statements made by it’s contributors, in any advertisements or for any loss arising from non-publication of any advertisement. Reproduction of any part of this publication without
permission is strictly forbidden. The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher.
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Your LettersDear Editor,
I have read on the BrandonSuffolk.com website and heard several people talking about this around the town but there does not seem to be a formal notice anywhere with reference to the playing field having a gate fitted and it being locked.
Is this just another Brandon rumour? Similar to the “pay and display” one just as the car park was being finished or is there some truth in it?
I thought the Remembrance Fields were gifted to the townsfolk and not for just a select group. How will less abled persons be able to tend their allotment on a warm summers eve, be able to fish or just get access to the river and enjoy the reason so many moved here the rural tranquillity?
There is already a height barrier which limits some vehicles getting down there. Now it appears there is to be a gate, locked in the evening and opened at goodness knows what time, and by whom. OH and don’t get locked in because there is going to be a release fee! How much? Who knows? Set I reckon by the same body that is locking the gate and who’s idea of a formal notice is to put it on a website, however good it may be does not serve every citizen of our town.
I have taken the last paragraph directly from the website. Its legality, who knows! True or just another troll stirring things up. Either way the question needs answering and if as stated November is the date it happens PDQ.
Extract from BrandonSuffolk.com posted by “the rec”...
“The road to the river at the playing fields, will be locked overnight,a gate is to be put up to stop vehicle access, footpaths will not be affected, the work will be done in november, times the gate will be locked will be displayed if vehicles are locked in there will be a charge to release them.Thefts, vandalism and fly tipping are some of the reasons .THIS IS FORMAL NOTICE”
Name and address supplied
Dear Editor,
It’s nice to see new trees being planted along the Avenue outside the Church Institute.
The lads from the Church Yard were also installing protective railings around the trees and doing a grand job.
Keeping the Avenue alive and well for future generations.
Jean Betts
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Brandon Town Council ReportChristmas Fayre - Sunday 8th December
4.00pm – 6.30pm on Market Hill, Brandon.
Sponsored by Chase Timber Products.
Building on the success of last year, everything is now in place for this year’s Christmas Fayre. Elveden are once again donating the Christmas tree and Lord & Lady Iveagh have kindly agreed to switch on the lights. There will be Father Christmas in his Grotto, Craft Stalls, Hot Chocolate & Cakes, BBQ, Face Painting, The Brandon Carollers, Hot Chestnuts and much, much more. The grand finale of the evening will be a Fireworks Display. With so much on offer please come along and join us for an evening of Christmas festivities.
Victoria Avenue
The town council have planted three new lime trees (Tilia cordata Greenspire) in Victoria Avenue Each tree is three metres in height and will have a purpose made protective cage around them.
Looking through an archived committee minute book there is a very interesting account entitled ‘The Planting of the Trees’. An extract from the book reads: ‘Each tree was planted in a hole which had been previously dug out to the extent of four feet square by four feet deep. The trees supplied by W Robert Allen were fine young trees averaging about twelve feet. In all the Committee planted 120 trees. The first tree (No.112) was planted on Friday 12th November 1897 by Mr W Trotter and the last on Tuesday 23rd November 1897 by Mr E Belling’. Coincidentally our grounds men planted the new trees on the same date 116 years later!
Christine Mason - Town Clerk
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Brandon & District Rotary ClubThe Fireworks Spectacular was again a great success on Saturday 2nd November with all the members of Brandon & District Rotary Club putting in a great deal of effort before, during and after the event. There was a strong wind but the weather stayed dry and an estimated 2000 people thoroughly enjoyed the evening. A substantial profit was made with all proceeds going to local causes.
The Philippines Appeal. For many years, Rotary has provided ShelterBoxes to all parts of the globe in response to natural disasters. These boxes contain essential items delivering emergency shelter and vital aid to people affected by disaster worldwide. At the time of writing, 504 ShelterBox tents have arrived in Manila, Philippines and by the time you read this, hundreds more will have arrived and been distributed throughout the islands.
If anyone is interested in learning more about Brandon & District Rotary Club and its activities, with a view to possible membership, please call Trevor on 01842 811995.
Brandon School of DanceClasses in ballet, tap, modern,
freestyle, street & contemporaryPrincipal: Kerry Shoop
Please call Kerry on 07864 025041 or visit our website for more information: www.brandonschoolofdance.com
(Ballet from 3 years, Tap from 4 years, Street/Modern/Freestylefrom 5 years, Contemporary from 8 years)
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Brandon Safer Neighbourhood TeamGreetings from the Brandon Safer Neighbourhood Team.
Crime remains low. In October 2013 there were 41 recorded crimes in Brandon (compared to 62 crimes in October 2012.) Anti-social behaviour also continues to fall. Year to date figures for Brandon Town show the total ASB incidents reported as 194. The average for the proceeding 3 years over the same period is 262 ASB incidents.
Brandon SNT is busy setting up a Horse watch scheme for the whole of Forest Heath. Look out for the Launch Event in early spring of 2014.
Also, we will be getting a new PCSO above and beyond the 6 already posted to Brandon SNT. More news to follow in the new year.
Officers have recently successfully caught and charged a local young man for the Duck Shootings from earlier in the year. They have also recently arrested a local man for stealing from a Motor Car in Brandon. Hopefully this will stop the recent spate of car crime in the area.
Christmas and New Year celebrations are coming up so please be extra vigilant regarding locking your cars and, more importantly, your homes around this time of year.
Opportunistic thieves will be looking for people who are out Christmas shopping leaving bags of shopping in the car before going back out for round two! Also remember to lock your doors/windows at home when you go to bed as you may find all those presents under the Christmas tree gone when you come down in the morning.
Please be sensible over the Christmas and New Year period for those of you going out socialising and drinking. We will be patrolling and watching those who want to cause trouble. I am sure a £100 fixed penalty ticket (or a night in a police cell) for being drunk and disorderly will not go down well at this time of the year.
If you want to contact Brandon Safer Neighbourhood team you can call us (101) or email us ([email protected]). You can also follow us on twitter @foresththpolice
Sergeant 810 Chris Chisnall
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Brandon School of DanceRecruiting for our new street/modern/freestyle classes is going extremely well. We have had a great response but there are still a few places available in both age groups on Wednesday evenings.
The 5-8 years class meet at 6.45pm to 7.30pm and the 9-11 years follows on from 7.30pm to 8.15pm. Both held at the Church Institute on London Road in Brandon. Classes cost just £4.50 per session.
If you have children interested in joining please contact me, Kerry Shoop, on 07864 025041. It is best to text me and all messages will receive a reply.
We also teach ballet, tap and contemporary dance so the range of styles is varied and exciting.
We are now feverishly working towards our big show to be held at the Apex theatre in Bury St Edmunds on Saturday 18th January 2014 at 2.00pm, the matinee performance.
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Moreton Hall_Dec_311013.indd 1 06/11/2013 21:35
Ten Questions - Cllr Reg SilvesterMy wife and I moved to Brandon twenty years ago. I have been involved with Brandon Town Council for sixteen years; I am a former District Council Chairman and now a County Councillor.
Q1. If anyone in the community would like to become a Town Councillor what advice would you give them? To understand you can achieve very little on your own and must have the support of fellow councillors. Also remember everything takes time.
Q2. What new methods of communication with the community do you think Brandon Town Council should be using? A council newsletter of its own would be great.
Q3. We all have gadgets in our lives, which gadget could you not live without? Plastic money. i.e. the hole in the wall.
Q4. Which historical figure do you admire and why? Winston Churchill.
Q5. Brandon has become a Town of different nationalities, language and cultures, how would you look to bring the community together for the benefit of the town and its residents? Never forget where you came from but look forward and treat everyone like you would like to be treated.
Q6. The last book you read? The Sunday Telegraph.
Q7. Which other committees or organisations in Brandon are you a member of? Lingheath Trust and The Heritage Centre.
Q8. If you could improve 3 things in Brandon what would they be? The town bus service reintroduced, traffic flow and shopping in the High Street.
Q9. If you had to choose one memory to keep what would it be? Having lunch with the Queen.
Q10. Why do you enjoy being a Town Councillor? I enjoy making decisions and trying to make improvements that may enhance people’s lives.
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Brandon In Bloom We have listed a few comments below from several people talking about Brandon in Bloom on the BrandonSuffolk.com forum and wondered if any of our readers would be interested in making comment to see if it would be an idea that the people of Brandon would be keen on.
“Just wondering if at any time Brandon was involved in the Britain in Bloom competition and if so why it is not now. Lets start the ball rolling & get a group together to start for 2014.”
“I’d love to be involved with Brandon in Bloom. Perhaps Brandon Gardening Club would also like to help out? Maybe they’d be able to help with judging as they have lots of experience? “
“It can be hard work but is very rewarding. It’s based not just on a summer flower displays but on litter issues and colour all year round. It can be of great benefit to businesses when the town is attractive. But they will have to dip into their wallets and time pockets.”
FLOWER COURSESFROM BEGINNERS TO ASPIRING FLORISTS
Why not have an afternoon or night out in our flower school. Everything is provided for you so all you need to bring is yourself and you will get to take your beautiful design home with you.
Christmas Garland • 5th Dec, 2pm - 4pm and 12th Dec, 6pm - 8pm
Modern Arrangement • 9th Jan, 2pm - 4pm and 23rd Jan 6pm - 8pm
Vase Arrangement • 6th Feb, 2pm - 4pm and 20th Feb 6pm - 8pm
Basket Arrangement • 6th Mar, 2pm – 4pm and 20th Mar, 6pm – 8pm
Only £35.00 each course! Remember you get to take your arrangement home!
Bunches & Bows57 High Street • Brandon • Suffolk • IP27 0AU
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To find out more or to book please call 01842 819600
Picture framingOils, water colours, pastels, prints, photos old and new, medals, football shirts, cross stitch, tapestry, canvas stretch-ing etc. All aspects of picture framing undertaken in our workshop, 100s of frames to choose from, liven up that old
picture with a new mount and frame.
Carvings from BaliWe have a great selection of carvings! We have giraffes, zebras, perpetual calendars, Buddhas, ducks, didgeridoos, rain sticks, animal masks, sitting chickens, standing chickens, bamboo wind chimes, little clowns, sea horses, standing cats,
sitting cats and much more! Always a great selection with new stock all the time.
the craft cabin16 London Road, Brandon - Tel: 01842 814178 Open 9.30am till 5pm weekdays and some Saturdays
Chronicles of Brandon at WarDecember 1913...
Eye catching displays adorn the shop windows along the High Street in the run up to Christmas of 1913 and Housman’s & Relhans, where you can buy your finest clothing, is one of the best. For your Christmas cards why not pop along to Green’s the newsagent and if its postcards you want to send to relatives then Horace Sparrow is your man because he makes them from his photographs. The Co-Op and International Store are selling all sorts of gifts and there are some more familiar names such as John Caban the hairdresser and Robert Hyam the baker in the High Street too. Nonetheless there is one man who has outdone them all this year … Fred Gentle.
Fred Gentle’s butcher shop, at 33 High Street, is the best known in the town because his family has run it for 47 years, but Fred is more than just a butcher and can be found on just about every committee in the town including the Council, but above all else his pride and joy is his thriving business. Fred, his wife Mabel and their children live above the shop and Fred also owns a slaughterhouse to keep the shop supplied, and he also has a milking shed from where he supplies local dairies with milk and past the gate, beyond Coulson Lane, are Fred’s cows grazing in the field. Now, between you and me some think he is watering down the milk but Fred blames its poor quality on the lack of decent grazing land. Not all his animals are destined for the butcher shop because he often presents his best at agricultural shows and this
December he has returned home with a coveted cup for his prized turkeys. Fred hands us a photograph, taken this December, which shows his shop frontage adorned with prize winning turkeys and if you look closely enough you might just see the cup on the table. He certainly is having a joyous Christmas.
Gripped by the Christmas spirit Fred announces a competition to raise money for the Brandon Nursing Association. On the evening of Saturday 20th December residents can guess the weight of his most magnificent prize winning bullock and Fred has donated three prizes for the nearest guesses – a duck for third, a pair of chickens for second and a beautiful plump turkey for the winner. At the conclusion of the competition Fred
announces £3 has been raised and the weight of the beast revealed to be a whopping 64 stone and 11 pounds! The winner is only half a pound out and the Town Street residents have an advantage here, after all they work on the land, and one of them is announced the winner, Mr James Norton.
Merry Christmas to you all.
Darren NortonBrandon at Warwww.brandonatwar.co.uk
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Puzzle PageSudoku Code Word
Enter numbers into the blank spaces Each letter A-Z is represented by a number 1-26.so that each row, column and 3x3 Can you crack the code and solve the crossword?box contains the numbers 1 to 9. Every letter of the alphabet us used at least once.
Number Pyramid
Fill every box in the tower with anumber. The value in a square isthe sum of the numbers directlybeneath it.
Word Wheel
Find as many words as you can. Words must be at least 3 letters and must use the central letter. No letter can be used more than once. There is a 9 letter word
to be found.
Solutions can be found on page 31
Glade Primary SchoolGlade has been alive with the sound of music! Recently we have had a hugely successful talent show as well as an amazing music WOW day. After a gruelling round of auditions, 13 very talented acts took to the stage to perform to friends and family for a chance to be the winner of Glade’s Got Talent 2013.
We had singers, dancers and even a poetry recital. News of the competition even reached nation radio, when Ellen Povey was interviewed by Chris Evans on Radio 2. After her amazing recital of the Owl & the Pussycat, Ellen won the third place trophy. Second place was a brilliant rendition of “With a Little Help from my Friends” by the Hinge Brothers (aka Michael & Harry Zawiasa). Our winning entry was Peyton Bailey, Madison Finlay and Sydney Snazell who have turned themselves into an incredible dance troupe, dancing to Katy Perry. They made the whole audience Roar! All of the entries were of a high standard and all were well supported by their parents and family.
We kept up the musical pace, with a whole day of music. Children worked in their classes to create a masterpiece to showcase to the whole school in assembly. Performances ranged from body percussion to firework noises. There was much music making with keyboards and recorders everywhere! We all loved the shaker performance from our Wrens class, most of whom are only 4 years old.
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1st Brandon Scout GroupSorry we missed the last issue but I hope all our good news will make up for it.
One of our Scouts, Abigail Street has been chosen to represent UK Scouts at the next World Jamboree in Japan 2015. We are so proud that she has achieved this great opportunity. Over the next 18 months she has got to raise the £3000 to enable her to travel. We as her group have
pledged that we will be helping her with this. If there are any business people/individuals who would like to sponsor Abi we are setting up a project of £1 buys a mile of her journey. I can be contacted on 01842 878765 for further information.
Also another of our Scouts, “Chippy” (Christopher) Pope has achieved his Chief Scouts Gold award together with Ella-May Barker & Elizabeth Iwuoha who have gained their Chief Scouts Bronze award (Beavers).
Can we thank everyone who came to the Fireworks Display & visited our BBQ. All profits will go back into our refurbishment fund & also some to Abi & her mile project.
We are hoping to install some external lighting to our HQ shortly & to replace some of our camping equipment.
If there is anyone in Brandon who would like to volunteer as a Leader we would like to hear from you. Again please contact me on the above number. Lynda Smith Group Scout Leader.
Forest Academy UpdateAt Forest Academy we are always looking for new ways to bring our curriculum alive, to engage and excite the children in their learning.
The foundation stage has had a great time finding out all about “People Who Help Us.” Brandon police brought their police car for us to see. The children could sit inside, see all the equipment in the back and ask them questions. They even stayed for lunch with us and came to play out in the playground! The classes also took it in turns to visit the fire station.
The fire-fighters gave us a talk and showed us how they put on their uniform when the fire bell rings. We had time to look around the fire engine and sit inside. Then they took the fire engine outside so we could all have a turn to squirt the hose. It is very heavy! Willow class saw the fire
engine leave to go to a car on fire in Brandon. They watched with their ears covered as the fire engine left the station with its lights flashing and siren sounding. It was so loud!
In Upper Key Stage 2 our topic this half term is ‘The Aztecs’. We have been lucky enough to have been visited by the company Mexicolore, who were invited into school to tell us about life in Aztec times.
The team used music, dance, drama, costumes, artefacts, crafts, slides and other media to bring
Mexican history and culture alive. Some children were dressed up as Aztec worriers; others rulers with beautiful feathered headdresses.
The Aztecs enjoyed chanting and playing instruments which they made from local resources. Some children were fortunate enough to play some of the instruments. The children had a wonderful time and learnt so much! It was a great way to get them excited about History!
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Putney Close, Brandon, Suffolk, IP27 0PATel: 01842 810771 Fax: 01842 814097 Email: [email protected]
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advert-02.pdf 1 15/08/2013 11:00
Shoestring Theatre CompanyIt’s Panto time again!! Oh No it isn’t... Oh Yes it is
Rehearsals are well under way for our forthcoming Pantomime “Snow White”, to be performed at IES. Breckland School, Crown Street Brandon, on Thursday 9th January, Friday 10th January, and Saturday 11th January. Curtain up for each of these evening performances at 7.30pm, and there will be a Matinee performance on the Saturday afternoon which will start at 2.00pm.
All the cast have been working hard rehearsing for this production, and the show includes many of the characters from this very well known story. There will be lots of chances for you to join in, cheering the goodies and booing the baddies, as well as singing along to the songs in the show, and of course the inevitable “It’s behind you”, so why not come along and join us at what promises to be an enjoyable, good fun evening, suitable for all the family.
Tickets will be on sale at Cobra Electrical in the High Street, Tramps Hairdressers on London Road, and of course on the door. They will also be on sale at the forthcoming Christmas Fayre on 8th December. Ticket prices are £6 Adults, £4 Children (aged 4 -16) and Senior Citizens. Teas, Coffee & refreshments will all be available at each performance, and there will be a raffle too.
Please make a date in your diary and we look forward to seeing you at the show.
Shoestring will also be hosting our Christmas Grotto, at the forthcoming Brandon Christmas Fayre, to be held on Thursday 8th December at Market Hill. Father Christmas will be arriving during the evening and will then be in his grotto, where he will look forward to meeting all the children, assisted by his many helpers, so please bring your children along to meet Santa and receive a gift. Tickets will be on sale outside the grotto, and tickets will also be available for the Pantomime “Snow White”.
Shoestring Theatre Company always welcomes new members. We meet every Tuesday evening at IES. Breckland School, from 7.00pm - 10.00pm. Although it is great to have new members who want to take part in our productions by appearing on stage, we only ever encourage, but never expect you to “tread the boards”.
Membership is open to all ages, but we are particularly seeking more adult male & female members, so if you have an interest in the theatre, whether it be actually appearing on stage, lighting, sound, backstage or any of the many roles involved, then please, don’t be shy.... do come along and meet us, to see what we do. We are a very friendly group and you are promised a warm welcome.
Please see our Facebook page or for more details contact Jill on 811532, and we look forward to seeing you soon.
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WHEREVERYOU ARE THISCHRISTMAS
GET THE LATESTFROM BRANDON
Pantry Patter - Crimson CranberriesHave you ever wondered why the cranberry farmers on the juice adverts are standing up to their waist in what appears to be a lake of cranberries?
They are, in fact, water harvesting the berries. However the harvesting of these little crimson jewels hasn’t always been done this way.
The use of cranberries by the native American Indians date back to the mid 16th century. The berries were growing wild then, a member of the heather family.
Cultivation came much later in the early 1800ʼs in the USA. At this time the bogs the cranberries had been growing in were discovered to contain rich deposits of bog iron ore. This iron ore was used to make cannonballs. When the deposits were exhausted the bogs were abandoned and once again they were re colonised by wild cranberry plants.
These fruits were discovered to contain high levels of vitamin C which sailors knew aided in the prevention of scurvy, so ship’s captains replaced the expensive tropical limes they had been using, with cranberries.
Not wanting to miss a trick many of these captains could see the potential in farming cranberries and invested in cultivation on a scale not seen before.
However, over time ships voyages became a lot shorter and scurvy no longer posed a problem. Demand dropped and the cultivation of cranberries dropped. Then along came a gentleman called Marcus Urann. Urann was a lawyer and small time cranberry farmer who, in 1912, developed a sauce made from the berries and formed the Ocean Spray Preserving ompany. The sale of the sauce boosted the popularity of the fruit and in 1930 Urann formed a cooperative with two of his rivals creating the Cranberry Canners. Seeing the potential many other small berry farmers joined the cooperative and along with increased members the company was, once again renamed, calling themselves the National Cranberry Association.
In 1955 following Urannʼs retirement the company was renamed yet again as Ocean Spray Cranberries. At this time they were harvested using a cranberry scoop, a wooden box with tines on one side which was drawn through the ‘vinesʼ like a large comb. For a short period ‘water harvestingʼ was trialled but the growers reverted back to using the scoop eventually allowing women to help with the harvest as up until the 1930ʼs women were not permitted to join in with the harvest.
Water harvesting commenced again in the 1960’s. The bogs are flooded with water and a large agitator machine is driven through releasing the berries from the vines. As
cranberries contain air pockets they float on the surface just like in the advert. Large booms are pushed over the surface gathering them all in a ‘cranberry corral’. They are then pumped straight into lorries and taken to the processing plant.
All berries that are to be processed are water harvested ,however cranberries that are to be sold fresh are still dry harvested.
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Brandon Town Youth FCBrandon Town Ladies and Brandon Town Youth Under 11 Boys would like to say a massive thank you to Columbo and GFC for their continued generous support and sponsorship of both teams.
Brandon Town Ladies play in the Suffolk Womens League, and have made a very solid start to the season. Training is on a Wednesday evening from 7.30 to 9.00pm. If anyone is interested in coming along, please contact Roger Field on 07769 944451 for more information.
Brandon town Youth Under 11 boys play 9-a-side football in the South Norfolk Youth Football League . This season sees the boys already into the quarter finals of the Suffolk County Cup and points are starting to build in the League.
They train on a Saturday morning and will always welcome any new players into the squad. Anyone interested in joining should contact manager Nick Hunt on 01842 810882.
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St Nicholas Hospice CareWe would like to invite you to join St Nicholas Hospice Care’s Light up a life remembrance service in Brandon on the 13th December at the Church of Christ.
People will have the opportunity to remember their loved ones and dedicate a light to their memory and this year we would like to invite you to remember your loved one in two ways.
You can request that your loved one’s name is read out at one of thanksgiving services and/or you can choose to send us a message to be printed and displayed at the Light up a Life service
The message maybe a happy memory, a note to your loved one or you may even want to include a photograph.
To get more information on this ceremony please get in touch with the fundraising team via telephone on 01284 766133 or email on [email protected].
You can request that your loved one’s name is read out at the thanksgiving service by using the form on our website at www.stnicholashospice.org.uk/light-up-a-life.
Can you spare some time to help out in your local community? At St Nicholas Hospice Care we have a dedicated team of volunteer Hospice Neighbours offering companionship and practical support with important, everyday tasks to local people living with a life-shortening illness.
We need Volunteer Co-ordinators and neighbours to join an existing team of Hospice Neighbours in Brandon.
Could you help out? Please contact us for more information on becoming a volunteer coordinator or if you are interested in becoming a Hospice neighbour.
We also require volunteers in the surrounding areas; please do not hesitate to contact the team on 01284 766418 or [email protected].
Pantry Patter - Christmas Cake RecipeI make this every year, sometimes in October but invariably early December and it tastes as good made later for Christmas!
It is a 40 year old recipe in pounds and ounces I’m afraid, pinched from the TV Times many years ago from Katie Boyle.
Ingredients
1 1/2 lb mixed dried fruit1/2 pint sherry4-6 oz glace cherries4 oz walnuts4 large eggsGrated rind and juice of 2 oranges8 oz butter8 oz dark brown sugar9 oz plain flour1 oz self raising flour!
Day 1
Mix together the dried fruit, orange rind and juice and sherry in a large bowl. Cover and leave overnight.
Day 2
Grease and line a 9” square tin. Wrap brown paper around the outside of the tin to about 4” above the top of the tin.
Turn oven on to 160 centigrade/300 fahrenheit.
Roughly chop the cherries and nuts.
Cream together the butter and sugar.
Beat the eggs and gradually add to the butter and sugar mix adding a little flour as you go to prevent curdling.
Fold in the remaining flour.
Stir in the soaked fruit and add the liquid gradually. This needs to be a pourable dropping consistency not a runny batter.
Add the cherries and nuts.
Pour the mixture into the prepared tin. Level the surface and bake just below the centre of the oven for 31/2-4 hours or when a skewer comes away clean. If you find it is well coloured but still gooey in the middle after about 3 hours cover the top with a thick layer of greaseproof paper or baking parchment.
Leave in the tin to cool then wrap tightly in tin foil.
Inject weekly with brandy or whiskey (the cake, not you) and decorate as you wish.
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Brandon Town CalendarBrought to you by Brandon Carnival
On sale now for just £5 atThe Brandon Centre, Mark’s Greengrocers, Tilly’s Tea Rooms,
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December GardeningMany plants are dormant in winter, they take a rest, and so should all gardeners. However a bit of planning now will really give you a head start in early spring. Gardening is for all seasons, there is always something to do either in the garden or in preparation for the following season and December is no exception.
If you grow from seed, December is the perfect time for sitting indoors with a cuppa and reading through seed catalogues or browsing online at new varieties. Many of us grow our own personal favourite ‘tried & tested’ varieties; however it’s always worth looking at new varieties. For instance for the coming season blight resistant tomatoes are available, or why not try a mini courgette suitable for growing in pots? Before you visit us to purchase new seeds, check through your seed stash so you don’t make unnecessary purchases, some seeds stay fresh for many years, although I’d always recommend using new seeds for some varieties, especially runner beans.
When choosing seeds, you may have noticed that many are labelled F1. An F1 (also referred to as a Hybrid) is the first offspring of a cross between two cultivars (a cultivar is the gardening term for variety for example ‘moneymaker’ and ‘gardeners’ delight’ are two different cultivars of tomatoes). The two chosen cultivars are selected for desirable traits (such as flower colour, flower shape, size of plant, quality of fruit etc) and are bred under strict conditions to create a uniform, high-yielding crop or disease resistant plant.
If you collect seeds developed from F1 cultivars (note some F1 varieties are sterile) these seeds are referred to as the F2 generation. F2 seeds will not breed true (for instance the flower could be a different shape or colour) However it’s always interesting planting them and seeing what happens as they grow, this is how plant breeders create new varieties so maybe you could breed the next ‘must have’ plant?
If you would like to encourage bees into your garden, sterile plants do not produce pollen so they are of little use to pollinating insects. A deceiving plant is the foxglove, biannual varieties are nectar rich and ideal for bees, where as new perennial varieties, including Foxglove Illumination (which won the ‘plant of the year’ award at the 2013 Chelsea flower show) are sterile. Almost all plants with true double flowers are also sterile as the stamens of these plants have been ‘replaced’ with more petals. Sterile plants are reproduced from cuttings, layering, or root cuttings.
Gardening diaries are an invaluable planning tool and I thoroughly recommend purchasing a diary to use for all of your gardening projects. For example: write in when you planted seeds, and what the weather was like, and note when the seeds germinated. Next winter, you’ll be able to see at a quick glance what worked, and what was unsuccessful, making planning for 2015 much easier.
Finally, whatever you are planning for your garden next season, Paul and I are always available to offer advice, and we look forward to meeting all of your gardening needs in 2014. Have a merry Christmas.
Rachel Sobiechowski BSc (Hons) P&R Garden Supplies, Fengate Drove, Brandon 01842 814800 www.p-rgardensupplies.co.uk
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15 months membershipfor the price of 12
Join in January 2014 and receive 15 months full membership for the price of 12.
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No temporary tees or greensFurther discounts for under 30 year olds
Bar and restaurantPayment by monthly direct debit available
Fully stocked pro-shopGolf Lessons availableGreat practice facilities
Beginner and experienced golfers welcome
FELTWELL GOLF CLUB
Contact Jon Moore (Club Manager) on 01842 827644Email: [email protected] Website: www.feltwellgolfclub.com
Facebook: Feltwell Golf Club Twitter: @FeltwellGC
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Brandon Past and Present
Shown above: Brandon High Street photographed in 1905Photo supplied by Total Photography
Our life saving service is operational 365 days a year
Our highly trained, specialist medical teams bring doctor-led emergency care to the incident site, bringing the emergency department to the patient
We are the first in the UK to fly night time HEMS missions with almost 50 missions flown in the dark since the end of May 2013
We’ve attended over 13,000 life-saving missions across Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire
The majority of incidents we attend are serious road traffic collisions, people suffering cardiac arrests and horse riding, motorbike and cycling incidents
We have a wide range of volunteering opportunities available - take a look at our website for latest positions
Did you know?
www.eaaa.org.uk08450 699 999
Registered Charity No: 1083876
Follow us on Twitter:@EastAngliAirAmb
‘Like’ our Facebook page:East Anglian Air Ambulance
We need you todayYou may need us tomorrow
To donate £5 text heli to 70500
East Anglian Air Ambulance
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Useful Telephone NumbersCouncils
Brandon Town Council (Town Clerk) 01842 811844 Forest Heath District Council (Main Switchboard) 01638 719000Suffolk County Council (Public Enquiries) 0845 606 6067
Health Services
Doctor - Brandon Medical Practice (High Street) 01842 810388Doctor - Forest Group Practice (Bury Road) 01842 810206Dentist - Apex Dental Care (Bury Road) 01842 812276Dentist - The Dental Surgery (High Street) 01842 812381Hospital - West Suffolk (Bury St Edmunds) 01284 713000NHS 111 - Medical Help (Less urgent than 999) 111
Help & Advice
Citizens Advice Bureau (Brandon Office) 01842 811511Social Care Services (Customer First) 0808 800 4005Suffolk Constabulary (Non Emergency) 101
Utility Companies
Electricity - UK Power Networks (Fault Line) 08007 838 838Gas - National Grid Gas (Emergency Number) 0800 111 999Water - Anglian Water (24 Hour Leakline) 0800 771 881
Puzzle Page SolutionsSudoku Pyramid Code Word
Word Wheel
9 letter word: indemnity
Call Brandon 01842 813466