With a short notice on the Crown in Catton facebook page, the Crown has announced its closing by the end of play today: “The Crown will close at 6pm on Sunday 30th June. We will be open as usual from…
Month: June 2019
The Walk to the Chimneys
Images of the Allendale Chimneys and flue courses courtesy of Doc Phil Brown’s amazing collection, in particular his depiction of a walk around Allendale. Today’s entry is the third in our Saturday series of free things to do with the…
Domestic ‘Sewage Treatment Plant’ replaces ‘Septic Tank’ — who knew?
I’m indebted to the clear exposition of a popular ‘domestic sewage treatment plant’ served at CrystalTanks, for much of the information in today’s entry, which was inspired by a chance overhearing of a friend’s woes during their new building project….
Getting ready for the family’s return . . .
It’s one of the recurring themes of this diary: the diaspora of our young people out from this rural idyll to the greater metropolitan centres of the world, and then, when we’re lucky, the return for a family visit. We’re…
Shaftoe Young Farmers Club
A few days ago I had a lovely chat with James Little, the Chairman of Shaftoe Young Farmers club, which sounds like a group that enjoys itself and its activities very much indeed. I began by asking about the name:…
Sidelights, or less, in the f-f-f-fog?!
Stuttering with impotent rage over the fecklessness of some country drivers yesterday morning on our way in to the ‘toon for a hospital appointment, as we peered through the near-impenetrable fog to make out, just, a grey vehicle in front…
Monday: Wash Day
I’m pretty sure that Monday is the traditional clothes washing day. Apparently we can thank the Victorians for this practise, which had the advantage of offering the household plenty of time throughout the week for the drying, pressing, folding and…
Preparation, then anticipation . . .
For a Sunday homily, I guess I can do worse than to ruminate on the conjoined concepts of ‘preparation’ and ‘anticipation’. But it feels like I’ve been looking forward to harvesting these potatoes for years, rather than the usual months!…
Allen Mill — a walk’s half-way point maybe?
The big reveal, facilitated by the North Pennines AONB in the Allen Valleys Landscape Partnership, funded by the Heritage Lottery (2013-2018), opened up the remains of the old smelt mill so that the place became re-imbued with a kind of…
Catton Village Fair
The weather auguries are good, this year, for Catton Fair. As I recall, from happy memories of a delightful perambulation around the stalls scattered all around the green, the Fair is such a pleasant surprise. It all felt quite informal,…