Woodhouse Farm News Blog

The National Trust is organising bluebell walks at Croft Castle and parkland in the north of the county. This is the time of year to see the unmistakeably English sight of a woodland scene carpeted with the delicately nodding heads of the English bluebell rather than its more showy Spanish cousin. As they are associated with ancient woodland areas, it is likely that any bluebell woods date back to at least 1600 and as we have excellent conditions for bluebells here, it is thought that the UK has between a quarter and a half of all the world’s bluebells.

Westons Cider is just a few minutes drive from here and has been making cider for over 130 years. The managing director is the great great grand-daughter of the founder. The company makes ciders and perry from cloudy scrumpy to organic and sparkling vintages, but you will also find a Visitors’ Centre with a courtyard garden, Traditional and Rare Breeds Farm Park, Orchard Walk, Restaurant and Cafe and a Gift and Cider shop, where you can buy your drinks to take away. Only cider apples, with wonderful names like Slack Ma Girdle and Harry Master’s Jersey are used in the manufacture of Weston’s Cider, unlike in other parts of the country where a mixture  of dessert and culinary apples are used. True cider apples contain more tannin and are often smaller than eating apples. They are inedible, but it matters little as they are crushed for their juice. Perry pears are also hard and inedible, with names like Merrylegs, Brandy, Claret and Gin! Westons uses fruit from its 200 acres of orchards and from about 250 local farmers.  It is possible to take a tour of Westons, particularly interesting at harvest time. Click on the pictures to take you to the Westons website.

These four small boys are among the latest in a line of small boys dating back as far as the C13th. Along with the lay clerks (the men of the choir who sing Tenor, Bass and Alto) they provide choral music for the cathedral’s daily services and special occasions. They also broadcast on radio and TV, make recordings for DVD, give concerts and go on international tours. A visit to the cathedral at Evensong is a wonderful opportunity to hear these angelic voices, and tomorrow, March 19th, the boys will be singing Stabat Mater from the Eton Choirbook. The piece was written by John Browne shortly before Henry VIII became king and was recently discussed on Radio 3’s In Tune. Unaccompanied, it is in six parts and is rarely performed. Click on the photo to take you to the cathedral’s website.

For those of you who enjoy the lure of the big screen as opposed to the smaller one flickering in the corner of the living room, Hereford’s own Film Festival, Borderlines, could be just the thing for you. This is a cornucopia of films, local, world, music and documentaries, ranging from new releases such as Black Swan to classics such as The African Queen. Local interest is maintained with the Ballad of Mott the Hoople (yes, all you one-time young dudes, they came from Hereford) while music, documentary and foreign shores combine in Fezeka’s Voice. This is the story of a group of young South Africans from the township of Guguletu, just outside Cape Town, who come to sing in Salisbury Cathedral. Having visited the very same township last month, this is one I don’t want to miss, but there is plenty of choice for people with different tastes. Click on the strip at the top to take you to the website.

“Hay hoovers up the best writers published in the world. This has over the years, created a self-reinforcing phenomenon: they get the best, and so the best want to come.” The Guardian. However, not only writers come to Hay; there are also musicians and comedians and commentators. This year will see Howard Jacobson, for example, but also Jo Brand, Mohamed ElBaradei, Vanessa Redgrave (on Palestine) and Sandi Toksvig. Rowan Williams will be there too - and The Afro Celt Sound System sounds awfully interesting! Click on the photo to take you through to the Hay Festival website.

Here is Daubentons, our new property coming soon, covered in thick snow to match the white cowl on top of the hop kiln.