Wye Valley & The Welsh Marches NOW Magazine - May 2015

WYE VALLEY

N W MAY 2015

issue FORTY FIVE

LIKES

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ISSUE FORTY FIVE WYE VALLEY Now MAY 2015

CONTENTS WYE VALLEY Now 2nd Floor, Richardson House, 24 New Street, Worcester. WR1 2DP 01905 723011 www.pw-media.co.uk

ADVERTISE

Suzie Scott Tel: 01905 727906 suzie@pw-media.co.uk

AT HOME, OUTDOORS

Genna McCann-Taylor Tel: 01905 727901 genna@pw-media.co.uk

Editor

Dawn Pardoe PW Media & Publishing Ltd dawn@pw-media.co.uk

LOCAL Editor

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Amelia Hanson gives us some ideas on how to create your perfect outdoor retreat

Jill Warren jill@pw-media.co.uk

DESIGN

Paul Blyth Amy Thomas

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CONTRIBUTORS

Amelia Hanson Gill Mullin Glynis Dray Garth Lawson

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COMPETITION WINNERS

Wychwood Festival J.M, Onions, Bromyard

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without permission. Colour transparencies, prints or any pictoral media for this publication are sent at owner’s risk and whilst every care is taken, neither PW Media & Publishing Ltd or its agents accept liability for loss or damage. No editorial submissions will be returned unless accompanied by a Self Addressed Envelope. DISCLAIMER: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that adverts and articles appear correctly, PW Media & Publishing Ltd cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage caused directly or indirectly by the contents of this publication. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of its publisher or editor. Please note that if you enter a competition in the Wye Valley and the Marches Now magazine your name and address may be forwarded to the host of said competition.

Landscape gardening by Herefordshire Wildlife Trust

GARDENING IN MAY

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Your guide to creating the perfect sun-kissed look

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CONTENTS

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kington walks 2015

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Kington Camp by Garth Lawson

MAY 2015

ISSUE FORTY FIVE

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Poets and Pheasants

46 ISSUE FORTY FIVE WYE VALLEY Now MAY 2015

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WHAT’S ON

OWNING A PET

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SEARED SCALLOPS

Competition - Nozstock

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home & garden

AT HOME, OUTDOORS Nature is a popular interior decorating theme, and the term "bringing the outside in" is often used to describe using natural features like plants and rocks inside—but what about "bringing the inside out"? Here are fifteen tips to creating your perfect outdoor retreat.

Establish Traffic Patterns No matter the size of your garden, your outdoor living spaces will work better together if you establish traffic patterns.

You can do this in a variety of ways, including laying formal walkways, creating shifts in hardscape materials, or planting shrubs or trees to establish corners and borders.

Add a Fire Source If you have a fireplace inside your house, you know it's where you love to curl up with a good book on a quiet night or where larger groups gather on chilly days. The same is true for outdoor living spaces: a source of fire draws people. If you have the space and budget, consider a full-size version; if not, investigate fire pits, which provide flexibility and affordability. Just check your local building codes to verify fire safety and placement rules regarding outdoor fireplaces and fire pits before you invest in one.

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ISSUE FORTY FIVE WYE VALLEY Now MAY 2015

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home & garden

Benches, chairs, even pint-size stools will help family and friends enjoy the space.

If you have the space and budget, consider a full-size fireplace.

Include a Variety of

Boost Visual Appeal

Go for lightweight versions or put

Seating Options

Small accents, such as sculpture

yours on movable bases to make

Benches, chairs, even pint-size stools:

or water features, can do wonders

moving them around easier. Place a

As many choices as you can include in

to make outdoor living spaces feel

few at corners of a deck or patio to

an outdoor living space will help family

dynamic and interesting. Scour flea

establish borders, or use a rotating

and friends enjoy it. Scaled-down

markets or architectural salvage

series of seasonal plants - pansies

kid versions allow little ones to seat

shops for castoffs that lend visual

in spring, daisies in summer, mums

themselves, while chairs are a more

appeal without being too expensive.

in autumn - for an ever-changing

flexible option - pull two together for

In place of a built-in fountain consider

colour palette.

a quiet chat or add extras around the

a tabletop version; use a tall column

table for a big dinner. One tip: Don't

as a plant stand, too.

Fashion a Go-to Spot for Tools

include so many that traffic patterns become cluttered.

Establish a Sense of Discovery

As much relaxing as we may want to

Pathways are great tools in outdoor

do in outdoor living spaces, we also

Create a Focal Point

living spaces for more than just

need practicalities close at hand.

Well-designed indoor rooms typically

finding your way. Include a gentle

Install shelves on a wall or railing,

build off one element - a sofa or piece

curve in the design and a path is

or look for easy places to hang

of art, for example - which gives the

instantly transformed into a walkway

inexpensive hooks to keep tools, a

eye something to land on; the rest of

that

small broom, even a towel out in the

the furnishings and accents support

exploration in the garden.

open and within reach.

applies to outdoor living spaces.

Rely on Containers

Make Furnishings Work

An extensive pond can become the

for Colour

Twice as Hard

central gathering point, providing a

Pots of all shapes and sizes are great

Because space is often at a premium

spot to arrange furniture and orient

options to add dashes of colour and

in outdoor living areas, furniture and

views.

texture to outdoor living spaces.

accessories have to do double-

encourages

discovery

and

that piece. That same principle

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ISSUE FORTY FIVE WYE VALLEY Now MAY 2015

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home & garden

Clever furniture arrangement is all it takes to establish a variety of uses.

Outdoor living spaces that are easily accessible to indoor rooms are the most likely to get used.

duty. Benches may have storage

trellis are another good screening

individual places for a more formal

space

option.

outdoor gathering or gathered in a

underneath;

tables

may

larger vessel for impact.

also be containers. For example, a pretty side table featuring a

Try Affordable Updates

stunning container planted with

Orange may be your favourite shade

Connect to the Indoors

low-maintenance

will

one year and stripes the next. But

Outdoor

add colour and texture especially if

what about when a new colour

easily accessible to indoor rooms

the side table has a dark surface.

scheme strikes your interest - or

are the most likely to get used. So

succulents

spaces

that

are

when pillows or umbrellas wear out?

when you're designing your deck or

Zone Your Space

Fortunately it's easy and relatively

patio, try to locate it in a spot that's

Clever furniture arrangement is all

inexpensive to swap out outdoor

in a traffic pattern or in a place that

it takes to establish a variety of uses

living accents. Go for new accent

offers refuge, such as off the master

in one outdoor living space. For

pillows, refreshed slipcovers, even

bedroom or living room.

example, in a smaller space, place a

a pair of complementary umbrella

bench and dining table closer to a

shades, for a reinvigorated outdoor

Add Accents to Walls

corner; in a larger one use different

living space. For exposed spaces,

When used as borders for outdoor

textures or rugs to break up dining

select options made from outdoor

living spaces, walls can quickly get

and relaxing areas.

fabrics that withstand the sun's rays

boring. Wall containers, planted with

and dry quickly.

trailing vines and blooms, or outdoorsuitable art, such as tin ceiling tiles

Strategically Shield the View

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living

You may want part of your outdoor

Incorporate Tabletop

or salvage outdoor signage letters

living space to be more private

Texture and Colour

found at flea markets, are good ways

than another area. Shrubs or dwarf

Small vases and containers are a good

to dress up large stretches of siding

trees are a softly textured way to

way to add artful accents to outdoor

or stone.

accomplish that goal; containers

living spaces, either on side tables or

planted with vines scrambling up a

dining areas. Mini pots can be set at

ISSUE FORTY FIVE WYE VALLEY Now MAY 2015

By AMELIA HANSON

@WYEVALLEYNOW FIND US ON FACEBOOK www.WYEVALLEYNOW.co.uk

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ISSUE FORTY FIVE WYE VALLEY Now MAY 2015

A Summer of Celebration at Apple Store Gallery

O

ur summer of celebration starts with Magna Carta 800, an exhibition of local artists’ work in response to the iconic

document. Linking with other events in Herefordshire, artists have produced works in a range of media in recognition of Magna Carta’s contribution to human rights and justice. (www. herefordshire.gov.uk/magnacarta). The exhibition runs from 27th May until 28th June at our new opening times of Wednesday Friday, 9.30 - 4.30, Saturday, 10.00 - 1.00 and Sunday, 2.00 - 5.00.

On Thursday 18th June, 7.00 to 8.30pm, Allen Fisher, Emeritus Professor of Poetry and Art at Manchester Metropolitan University, will be giving an illustrated talk entitled ‘Shifting Liberties and Other Consequences’ looking at the democratization of art. Tickets £10 to include a glass of wine/juice, available from Apple Store Gallery.

Three Choirs Festival is back in Hereford this summer and we shall be taking part in Three Choirs Plus with an exhibition inspired by three short pieces composed by John Frith. These will also be included in a concert at Holy Trinity Church on Saturday 11th July at 7.30pm with Joris Boon and Anne de Dedalsen performing.

We look forward to welcoming you to these special exhibitions and to explore the other events and facilities we have available.

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home & garden

GARDENING IN MAY

S

o, what’s on the agenda? You may or may not get to the famous Chelsea Flower show, but you do need to remember its namesake, the Chelsea

Can you feel real heat bathing the back of your neck? Are you bringing your pelargoniums and fuchsias out into the light? Are you trailing your feet through the cool grass in sandals? Then it must be what we’ve been waiting for - it must be May.

Chop. This is a really handy way of extending

There are some wonderful spring gardens open in May

your flowering display, with very little effort. Simply cut

for the National Garden Scheme, raising money for cancer

back half the stems of your flowering plants (by between

and caring charities:

a third and a half), so that the un-trimmed stems flower at the normal time, and the trimmed ones flower on new

Midland Farm, Norton Wood, HR4 7BP. Sunday 10th

side shoots, a few weeks later. Michaelmas daisies, phlox,

May (11am-3pm) £4.00, children free. Charming 1.2 acre

rudbeckia and sedum all benefit from this treatment.

cottage garden designed as a series of ‘rooms’. Teas and plants.

The other May job you simply can’t neglect, is staking.

Plant supports put in now (link stakes, half-moon stakes

Lower Hope, Ullingswick, HR1 3JF. Sunday 24th May (2pm-

or twiggy sticks) will be hidden by growing foliage but still

5pm) £5.00, children £1.00. Stunning 5 acre garden with

do their job, whereas later efforts will leave gawky stems

butterfly house, lake and Italian garden. Featuring an NGS

and unsightly bits poking out. Don’t forget to sow your

plant sale held outside the grounds – real plants, grown

tender veg soon. Courgettes, squash, cucumber, French

by real gardeners. Teas available.

and runner beans all need to be underway now, kept in a warm place until they germinate.

The Bannut, Bringsty, WR6 5TA. Wednesday 27th May (11am-4pm) £4.50, children free. This popular traditional

Let yourself be tempted out into the woods to admire

garden with Rhododendron and Laburnum walks, is re-

tender new foliage amid a sea of bluebells this month –

opening under new ownership. Teas and plants.

and be aware that the woods are the best place for this protected species. Bluebells are prodigious self-seeders,

For more Herefordshire gardens open in May, go to

so enjoy them where they belong - or you may end up with

www.ngs.org.uk

more than you bargained for.

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ISSUE FORTY FIVE WYE VALLEY Now MAY 2015

by GILL MULLIN, NGS

@WYEVALLEYNOW FIND US ON FACEBOOK www.WYEVALLEYNOW.co.uk

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NATURE NOTEBOOK

Photo credit HWT

i Landscape Gardening For both the domestic gardener and the lover of the countryside, spring is a season of rich promise. This month, Herefordshire Wildlife Trust shows just how much these enthusiasts – of plot and border, of meadow and woodland – share, and highlight the

W

value of both our urban and rural landscapes for wildlife. hile our gardens may feel like our own

brightest greens of unfurling fern tendrils and out in the

private patches, the estimated 16 million

meadows, spots of colour are appearing and multiplying

gardens in the UK together create a

as the days lengthen. Even little appreciated roadside

significant habitat for wildlife within the

verges can appear as unkempt cottage garden borders:

urban landscape. Whether it’s bees and butterflies homing

a jumble of blooms, some native, some planted, with a

in on our herbaceous borders, foxes feasting from our

backdrop of flowering hawthorn or blackthorn.

rubbish bins or great crested newts amongst our pond weed our gardens are more than overlooked by our wild

Gardens in the Wild

neighbours! These little green spaces can provide vital

The conjunction between the garden and the landscapes of

havens, strongholds and ‘green highways’ through our

the countryside is at the heart of a festival which this year takes

towns and cities creating an environment teeming with life.

place on 20/21 June. Gardens in the Wild is a celebration of both the gardens and landscapes of Herefordshire. Revelling

Many of our beautiful native wild flowers are just as at

in the contrasts between our natural landscapes and

home in a garden as they are in their wilder habitats - and

cultivated gardens, the festival features talks from acclaimed

it won’t just be the gardener that benefits from all these

names from the world of gardening including Derry Watkins

flowers; they are great for bees and other pollinating

and Alys Fowler alongside guided walks through some of

insects playing their vital role in our ecosystems. Down

Herefordshire’s most beautiful countryside and some very

at the bottom of the garden log piles attract frogs, toads,

special private gardens opened to the public. The festival

stag beetles and hedgehogs while shrubs and trees

is supported by Herefordshire Wildlife Trust and profits will

create a refuge for all manner of birds and mammals. Bird

kindly be donated to the Trust. For an insight into the Trust’s

feeders, baths and nest boxes will all be appreciated too.

work, join our reserves manager, Neville Hart, on a wildflower walk on day two of the festival.

The gardener’s motto is ‘right plant, right place’ - the importance of growing a plant in the particular conditions in which it will thrive – and the best way to discover what that is to head out into the countryside. Nature creates all manner of gardens with ease in the spring. Woodland

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MORE INFORMATION For more ideas on creating a wildlife-friendly garden, go to www.wildlifetrusts.org/how-you-can-help/wildlife-gardening or get in touch with the Herefordshire Wildlife Trust

floors not yet fully shaded by the greening canopy are

www.herefordshirewt.org. For full details of the Gardens in the

beds of white anemones and bluebells shown off by the

Wild festival and how to book, go to www.gardensinthewild.org

ISSUE FORTY FIVE WYE VALLEY Now MAY 2015

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ISSUE FORTY FIVE WYE VALLEY Now MAY 2015

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ISSUE FORTY FIVE WYE VALLEY Now MAY 2015

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

Do you really need a Facelift?

There are now new ways to lift and firm the face without having to resort to surgery. The world of aesthetic treatments has moved on greatly during the past 15 years. The forward momentum has brought many positive innovations to existing treatments.

WHEN IT ALL HEADS SOUTH!

WHEN YOUR EYES AGE

For those of us who can’t face the knife, a Thread Lift could

Anti-wrinkle treatments are still the best for lines at the sides

be the alternative. Facial thread lifts provide 'immediate'

of the eyes, and frown lines in-between brows, and if done

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WHEN YOUR CHEEKS SAG

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Karen explains that dermal fillers, positioned subtly in the

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ISSUE FORTY FIVE WYE VALLEY Now MAY 2015

a more youthful look. We can also use these dermal fillers around the mouth to provide support and soften lines; we use products such as Teosyal, Restylane or Juvederm.

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Wyestyles anniversary

W

yestyles celebrate seven years of retailing at the Hop Pocket Shopping Village in Bishops Frome later this month and

have grown from a single unit to taking over half the ground floor!

They are understandably very proud of this consistent and steady growth and have branched out from the original range of ladies clothing to sell men’s and children’s wear too.

These ranges include Adini, Pomodoro, Lily & Me, Intown, Saloos, Poppy and H&O for ladies so they can choose from casual day to day wear or a smart outfit suitable for a wedding. The men have been well catered for with the Weird Fish, Farah and Peter Gribby ranges, ideal for casual events. Babies and children have the award winning organic Frugi ranges which cover both girls and boys collections. They also stock the delightful Lily & Jack outfits and accessories are available to complement all the featured brands.

Proprietor Helen Ball feels the success of the venture is down to making customer service a priority; all staff have extensive experience in the retail clothing industry or in customer service roles and are trained to help the customer chose the right outfit for them. As Helen puts it “We

want customers to leave our shop with clothes that they will wear, not just hang in a wardrobe”. It is this ethos that drives the business forward so if you want a relaxing, fun and enjoyable shopping experience, call in and see the new spring and summer collections at Wyestyles in the Hop Pocket Shopping Village. Happy shopping!

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ISSUE FORTY FIVE WYE VALLEY Now MAY 2015

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KINGTON

Photo Credit - Wyche Way, Kington by Andy Compton

Kington WalkS 2015 Nestled below Hergest Ridge, the historic drovers' town of Kington has been a “Walkers are Welcome� town since 2011.

T

he smallest of the five market towns in Herefordshire, it is also the remotest and has a definite feel that you are almost in Wales. Despite its size Kington has all the

facilities you need, with plenty of accommodation in the town, and in the surrounding area. We have a Youth Hostel, Tourist Information Centre and a wealth of independent shops.

This year will see the opening The Wyche Way, a new walking link between England and the Welsh border, spanning 80 miles between Kington and

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ISSUE FORTY FIVE WYE VALLEY Now MAY 2015

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The Lion is an ideal venue for small, bespoke weddings for up to 40 guests We can create a menu to suit your requirements and budget Please call to discuss dates and the many options available

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KINGTON

Broadway in the Cotswolds. Why the Wyche Way?

Challenge, an orienteering style event for all. We

Besides the connotation of Which Way (to go), the

offer walks for all abilities.

name derives from an old 'Saltway' crossing of the Malvern Hills known as The Wyche Cutting.

There is a Legs and Wheels event combining the twin pleasures of walking and cycling with no

In addition there is an area in the original settlement

concerns about traffic, a tour of historic cider

of Kington close to the church known as the Wych

orchards, four pub rambles and visits to local

where one can find several buildings bearing the

quarries old and new. You can discover the artists

name.

of Kington or amble through delightful gardens.

There is a chance to explore secret river bank paths

The walk will link Offa's Dyke Path with the

or the hill forts and standing stones of Wales.

Cotswold Way from where it is possible to join The Shakespeare Way and walk all the way to London!

In the town there will be a programme of events

The official opening of this new walk will take place

which both non-walkers and post-walkers can

on Friday 18 September after which Guy Vowles,

enjoy including a goulash evening when the

whose brain child the trail is, will lead the first leg of

community choir will entertain diners, a talk on

The Wyche Way from Kington to Weobley followed

the pre-history of the Radnor Valley by Bill Britnell

by the second leg the next day from Weobley to

of the Clwyd Powys Archaeology Trust, a poor

Bodenham.

weather navigation workshop, a photography workshop and a David Bowie tribute band to while

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Our festival programme comprises 36 guided

away an evening or two. So do come and join us in

walks and one self-led walk, the Eight Peaks

perfect walking country.

ISSUE FORTY FIVE WYE VALLEY Now MAY 2015

• High quality care • Beautiful location • Kind, caring staff Lynhales Hall, Lyonshall, Near Kington, Herefordshire, HR5 3LN Phone: 01544 340238 @WYEVALLEYNOW FIND US ON FACEBOOK www.WYEVALLEYNOW.co.uk

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KINGTON

The US Military Hospitals in wartime Kington

Kington CAMP Hergest Ridge and the other hills around the border town of Kington are so alive with the sound of walking these days that it’s easy to forget the walking wounded of World War Two.

I

n 1943, Wimpey’s construction company began to build two US General Hospitals at Kington Camp (the 107th and the 122nd). They were situated on the east of the unclassified road from Kington to

Huntington, about 2 miles south-west of the town.

It was all part of a national plan by the US to cater for their wounded from the European campaigns.

Completed in spring of 1944, they were huge establishments: each employed about 500 military and administrative personnel and 50 local people in various roles. The 107th Hospital began to receive wounded soldiers from the D-Day landings in June 1944 and both hospitals opened officially in August 1944.

Although some patients arrived by road convoy from other American hospitals in the UK, many arrived on hospital trains to Kington Station and then were carried by ambulance and coach to the hospital.

Hospital trains were much bigger than the usual

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ISSUE FORTY FIVE WYE VALLEY Now MAY 2015

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33

KINGTON ones arriving in Kington, and were an unending

an extra railway line at Eardisley just outside the

source of fascination for the town’s children. The

station to reach an extensive petrol and oil dump

wounded were then placed in ambulances and

site supplying the camp, which was looked after

driven up to the camp. Some of the wounded may

by a small garrison; and a landing ground for light

have been flown into the airfield at Shobdon which

aircraft near Hergest Mill.

was predominantly used for glider training during the War.

By May of 1945 the two hospitals had admitted over 13,000 patients wounded in Europe, from the

The bed capacity for each hospital was about

D-Day landings, the Battle of the Bulge and later

1250, with over 40 patients to a ward. There were

campaigns. After being used in the early days of the

administrative blocks, x-ray labs, operating theatres

war as a re-grouping point after Dunkirk, the camp

and dental clinics as well as personnel quarters,

brought many thousands of people to Kington under

chapels, rehabilitation wards, cinemas, mess halls,

extraordinary and difficult circumstances.

warehouses, and laboratories.

The maximum number of patients at one time was 1,413. Doctors and medical staff were accommodated in the south-west section of the site, in a facility that appears to have been shared by the 107th US General Hospital, which was on the other side of the road from Kington to Huntington. Other sites associated with the 122nd Hospital were a camp for black American drivers and transport staff at Whitney-on-Wye;

The most famous visitors were the Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, and the American General George Smith Patton Junior, nick-named ‘Blood-andGuts’. His colourful haranguing of the troops on site was to become the stuff of legend.

After the war, the camp was used by the Polish Resettlement Corps and to accommodate British troops who were training in the area, before being used as a turkey farm.

The Swan on the Square

‘Relaxed, informal but with no compromise to quality, the sort of place I would like to go to on my days off’ That is Cath and Ian’s aim for the Swan on the Square.

As well as our freshly prepared meat, fish and vegetarian meals, try our fantastic range of cask ales, lagers and local ciders as well as our range of wines, individually tasted and selected by John Hope.

The Swan on the Square, Kington, Herefordshire HR5 3AZ T: 01544 230510 E: ian@theswanonthesquare.co.uk 34

ISSUE FORTY FIVE WYE VALLEY Now MAY 2015

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35

FOOD & DRINK

SEARED SCALLOPS with sweet potatoes and smoked paprika risotto & chocolate chilli dressing

SERVES: 4 People

3 Heat up a pan and sweat

Ingredients

the onions in a little oil until

B 12 scallops B 2 Bay leaves B 1 Garlic clove crushed B Cracked black pepper B Small bunch of Thyme B Drizzle of rapeseed oil

and the variety that you can use will depend greatly on your own taste buds. From a very basic bell pepper, to a fiery Carolina Reaper, chillies are packed with flavours and vitamin C… actually they are the fruits that contains most vitamin C in the world.

Christopher Columbus, is responsible for naming them chilli peppers, but can you blame him? He could only compare them to the black and white peppercorns, the only spice known to be hot and fiery at that time...and he is also responsible for introducing them into Europe.

So whether you like it hot or mild do not be afraid to add them to your cooking; just make sure you pick the right variety!

ISSUE FORTY FIVE WYE VALLEY Now MAY 2015

4 Add the wine and cook until it is almost evaporated.

5 Add a little of the boiling stock and reduce, carrying on adding stock and reducing

For the dressing

cooked. Stir gently to allow

B Juice of one orange B 1tsp honey B 1tbsp rapeseed oil B Chilli to taste B 2 garlic cloves crushed B 10g dark chocolate

the starch to come off

B 100g Arborio rice B 1 medium sweet potatoes B 1 small onion finely chopped

B 300ml of vegetables or chicken stock

6 Ten minutes into the cooking time, add the sweet potato to the rice and carry on cooking as above.

7 When the rice is cooked, (about 18-20) minutes, remove from the fire, add the parmesan, crème fraiche and smoked paprika, stir and adjust the seasoning.

8 Leave to stand for a five minutes before serving. If the rice is too dry add a touch of stock before serving.

B 1tbsp of grated parmesan cheese

B 1tbsp rapeseed oil B Small bunch of thyme and parsley

B 2 garlic cloves B ½ glass dry white wine B 1tbsp crème fraiche B ¼ tsp smoked paprika Method 1 Preheat oven, cut the sweet potatoes in half, sprinkle with a touch of black pepper, add a little rosemary and a couple of cracked garlic cloves, drizzle with a little oil and place on a baking tray and cook in the oven for an hour or until soft.

2 When cooked remove them from the oven, and use a spoon to scoop out the flesh, keep warm.

36

up, stirring constantly.

as needed until the rice is

FOR THE Risotto When cooking with chillies, the quantities

soft, add the rice and warm it

Method 1 Place all the scallops ingredients in a bowl, and leave to infuse for a couple of hours.

2 To make the sauce, bring the orange juice and the honey to the boil and reduce on a low heat by half, remove from the fire, stir in the chocolate, add the garlic, chilli and the rapeseed oil and combine together. Keep warm.

3 When the rice is cooked, heat a sauté pan very hot; cook the scallops for a minute on each side. Remove from the heat.

4 To serve, place 3 spoonfuls of risotto on each plate, top with the scallop and drizzle with the dressing.

Loafers Artisan Bakers in Bromyard and Kington Bakers of speciality breads: Walnut, Stilton, Guinness, Rosemary, Date and Ale all baked on the premises each day.

Ring to place an order.

Freshly made baps with homemade fillings every day plus pasties and sausage rolls.

Come along and see for yourself.

Bridge Street, Kington, HR5 3DJ 01544 231881 Broad Street, Bromyard, HR7 4BT 01885 488370

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37

WYE VALLEY WALK

Start / Finish: The walk starts and ends in front of St Mary’s Church.

Public Transport: Trains go to Ledbury and Hereford and buses calling at Dymock, linking the two towns.

Parking: There is street parking scattered around Dymock.

O/S Maps: Landranger 149 and 150/Explorer Map 190.

Distances: Approx. 7.5 miles (3-4 hrs) / shorter route 4 miles (2 hrs).

Terrain: This walk is largely rural with a few short climbs. It involves some lane walking. Poets such as John Masefield, Edward Thomas, Robert Frost and Wilfred Wilson-Gibson had connections with the area. This walk takes you along parts of what have been labelled ‘Poets Path 1’ and ‘Poets Path 2’. For those wishing to know more about the Dymock Poets, there are printed walks for each of the two routes. If this walk is done in May you may see bluebells.

1: The walk starts in the centre of Dymock. With your

After 50 yards fork right and follow the track to Cutmill.

back to the Church, cross the B4215 and walk south-

Just beyond the buildings, take the middle path exiting

eastwards along the pavement towards Newent. Cross

on Durbridge Road.

the small stream then cross back over the road to a

4: Turn left along the lane and walk for ½ mile past

footpath on the left. Take the right hand path sign posted

Woodfields to a three-way junction.

Poet’s Path No.1. Cross the field to the stile. Walk left

5: Take the bridleway on the left that cuts through

around the cricket pitch then to the left of the pavilion,

Cobhill Rough Woodland for ½ mile before curving right

behind which the path goes between two white-tipped

onto The Geopark Way and Poet’s Path No. 1.

posts. Walk along the left side of paddock to the stile in

6: Turn left along Drove Road that linked Redmarley

the corner. Turn right, Poet’s Path 1 crosses diagonally

D’Abitot to Ryton. Pass a hillside with exposures of rich

right to the kiss-gate. Down the steps onto the lane.

red sand (that gave Redmarley its name). Go through the

Cross to Crowfield Lane opposite. This takes you past

large gate and immediately left through another gate and

Crowfield Farm and over M50 motorway.

up the bridleway alongside the edge of the woodland.

2: You are now in ‘wild daffodil’ country but they hide

You can now see the Malvern Hills on the right.

beneath the ground and are only visible in March and

7: At the hamlet of Ryton turn left along the lane and

April. In May, look out for Bluebells. Continue straight

right at the junction, signposted Dymock. Cross the M50

along the track, through a small gate and then follow

and at the corner turn right then left.

the path along the top of the field. Go through a small

8: Follow this lane for 120 yards to a hidden stile through

gate and along a path beside Ketford Bank Nature

the hedgerow and up the steps on the left. The right

Reserve. Through another gate onto the bridleway

of way goes straight across this field, gently rising to a

through the woodland. You will pass the outcrop of

corner of hedge that juts out towards you. Walk ahead

red sandstone. The path curves round to exit in the

to the next corner and through a gap in the hedge. Cut

track at Barn Farm.

straight across the next two fields to the historic barns

3: Turn left twice, cross the River Leadon and take the

at Hill Farm. In the farmyard, go right then left behind the

bridleway on the right at the corner. (Note: shorter

barns resuming the route down the drive to the pond.

walk continues along the lane to rejoin the main walk at

Take the footpath on the right and walk diagonally left

Ryton). The main walk continues along Poet’s Path No. 1.

to a stile via and old Oak tree. Cross the stile into a small woodland. Cross the stream into the vineyard. Follow the path around to the left side and up to the farm buildings called The Burtons.

9: Go through the kiss-gate and turn left down the lane.

At the junction cross to Poet’s Path No.2 and follow this well marked route to the lane, turn right then left over the River Leadon and across the field on the right (Poet’s Path 2).

10: Aim for the landmark spire of Dymock Church, where walk ends.

Written and Illustrated by Glynis Dray

Poets and Pheasants 38

ISSUE FORTY FIVE WYE VALLEY Now MAY 2015

WYE VALLEY

N W

we will be delivering even more copies to more homes and are now looking for distributors in the following areas:

KINGTON LUDLOW MONMOUTH ross¯on¯wye If you live in these areas and Dawn Pardoe are interested in earning extra Tel: 01905 727909 dawn@pw-media.co.uk CASH please contact: All ages welcome

The Old Black Lion, 26 Lion Street, Hay-on-Wye, HR3 5AD www.oldblacklion.co.uk

Blossom Weekend 3rd & 4th May

TREAT YOURSELF TO LUNCH OR DINNER AT THIS FOUR STAR HISTORIC INN IN THE HEART OF HAY-ON-WYE

Lunches from 12noon to 2.30. Dinner from 6.30.

Outside dining on the patio too when the weather permits.

Typical menus can be viewed on our website www.oldblacklion.co.uk Live Jazz Pianist every Friday from 8.30pm CAR PARK Tel: 01497 820841. The Old Black Lion, 26 Lion Street, Hay-on-Wye. HR3 5AD

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39

SENIOR LIVING

OWNING A PET A pet can be a loyal companion as we get older, particularly if we live alone or don’t have regular contact with friends and family. For this reason, it’s not unusual to decide to keep a pet or get one for the first time - later in life.

Health benefits

Changing circumstances

Aside from the joy of having a cat or a dog, studies show

Many of us worry about what would happen to our

that pets can have a beneficial effect on our health and

much-loved pet if we had to spend time in hospital or

wellbeing. A study at Cambridge University found that

needed to move into sheltered accommodation. Then

owning a pet can improve our general health in less

there’s the worry that our pets might outlive us and end

than a month, with pet owners reporting fewer minor

up without a home or, even worse, being put to sleep.

ailments such as headaches, coughs and colds.

Fortunately, there are several steps that we can take to ensure that our pets are well looked after if we’re no

According to the Pet Health Council, simply stroking

longer able to take care of them.

a pet or watching fish swim can help us to relax, thus reducing our heart rate and lowering blood pressure.

Moving on

Other studies indicate that owning a pet can reduce

If you need to move into sheltered accommodation,

cholesterol, reducing the risk of heart attack - and one

The Cinnamon Trust maintains a list of local options

US study found that people who do suffer a heart attack

where pets are allowed, so there’s a good chance that

have a better chance of survival if they have a pet.

you can find somewhere suitable in your area. If you don’t have the option to take your pet with you, The

Not only that, pets can help to lift depression, as well

Trust can arrange foster care so that you can still see

as reducing loneliness and isolation. This is true for

your pet on a regular basis, as well as receiving letters

some pets more than others. For example, walking a

and photographs.

dog not only helps to keep us fit but also gives us more opportunity to meet new people while we’re out and

It is also important to talk to friends and family about

about. Also, many of us feel safer when we’re walking,

how you would like your pets to be cared for in the

or sharing our home, with a dog.

event of your death. If someone close to you agrees that they will look after your pet, write this into your will.

IT ALL ADDS UP

Alternatively, you can specify that The Cinnamon Trust,

It’s easy to underestimate how much it will cost to keep a

or a similar organisation such as the National Animal

pet. Elaine Pendlebury, Senior Vet at PDSA says that the

Welfare Trust, can care for or re-home your pet. Both

2012 PDSA Animal Wellbeing Report found that over the

of these organisations provide pet care cards that you

course of a lifetime it costs £16,000 - £31,000 to care for

can carry with you as you would an organ donor card.

a dog, around £17,000 for a cat and about £9,000 for a

40

rabbit. This sounds like a lot, but when you consider that

Once you’ve made a provision for your pet’s future, you

it costs about £400 per year to feed a small dog and up to

can relax and enjoy your time together, without having

£2,000 to feed a large one, it’s easy to see how it adds up.

to worry about what the future holds.

ISSUE FORTY FIVE WYE VALLEY Now MAY 2015

Helping Hands Home Care H

elping Hands is an Award-Winning, family run business that is committed to an independent and privately owned future.

Established in 1989 by Mary Lee to provide domiciliary care in the local area around our base in Alcester, Warwickshire we now undertake thousands of care visits each week and in addition,

WYE VALLEY

N W if you would like to advertise in the next issue please contact one of our sales team Genna McCann-Taylor Tel: 01905 727901 genna@pw-media.co.uk

Suzie Scott Tel: 01905 727904 suzie@pw-media.co.uk

we are the largest Live-In Care company in England & Wales that directly employs our staff and the only company to have true nationwide cover for Live-In Care.

Through a national network of managers and Regional Offices in Leeds, St Albans and Epsom we provide Award Winning, one to one Live-In Care to customers throughout England & Wales.

The central philosophy of Helping Hands is the same today as it always has been – “A desire to provide the best care possible to people in a way which promotes independence, ensures dignity and aids emotional well-being. “ This will always be the Helping Hands Way.

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43

WHAT’S ON

Royal Three Counties Show The countdown has begun to the 2015 Royal Three

such as specimen Ciders, Beers and Wines. The Cookery

Counties Show, which takes place at the Three Counties

Theatre featuring local chefs from the surrounding

Showground, Malvern (12 – 14 June). The show will once again celebrate the very best of British Summertime, showcasing Britain’s finest breeds of cattle, sheep and pigs alongside which, visitors can sample the regions tastiest food and enjoy a thrilling arena of entertainment.

T

counties, The Royal Three Counties Cheese Show and Cider Show will also take place here.

Attracting over 2,800 entries over the three day show, The Equestrian Village will stage many of the Horse of the Year Qualifying rounds. New to this area will be the qualifying for Working Hunter Ponies and the Ridden

he Main Arena will once again host a Grand Parade

Part Bred Pony of the Year, alongside a new Side Saddle

of Livestock, thrilling displays from the Red Devils

Costume Concurs d’Elegance. Olympic Gold Medallist

Parachute display team, dog displays from Paws

Carl Hester MBE will display dressage to music on

For Thought, Inter Hunt relays, showjumping

Saturday afternoon.

challenges, a Chariot Display from top stunt company The Devils Horsemen and much more. The Farming Village will

For 2015, The Country Living Village is to be organised

feature extensive national breed shows including traditional

by the Worcestershire Women’s Institute and will see

and minority categories for cattle, sheep and pigs. The

demonstrations of patchwork, spinning and clay modelling,

Three Counties Show not only features the largest entry of

alongside a knitting corner and workshops. Visitors will also

Beef Cattle, but is also the only show to feature classes for

enjoy a ‘notonthehighstreet’ type shopping experience

all goats including Boer, Dairy, Angora and Pygmy.

and for younger visitors a petting area.

The Three Counties Food and Drink Pavilion will highlight

Advanced tickets are priced from £16 for Three

the finest produce from Herefordshire, Worcestershire

Counties members and from £17.50 for non-

and Gloucestershire. This will include a bar selling solely

members. www.royalthreecounties.co.uk.

beverages produced within the surrounding counties

Tel: 01684 584 924

Competition For your chance to win one of three pairs of tickets plus lunch in the members pavilion at The Royal Three Counties Show simply fill out the

Answer: Name:

entry form with the correct answer to the following question:

Which month is the Royal Three Counties Show taking place?

Send your answers in a sealed, stamped, addressed envelope to: Royal Three Counties Show WVMN, PW Media & Publishing Ltd, 2nd Floor, Richardson House, New ISSUE FORTY FIVE Street, Worcester, WR1 2DP. Closing date for entries is 27th May 2015.

44

WYE VALLEY Now MAY 2015

Address: Tel: Email:

If you do not wish to receive information on forthcoming events, news and offers from the Royal Three Counties Show please tick this box

Hellens Garden Festival

H

ellens Garden Festival takes place Saturday 6th - Sunday 7th of June between 10am - 5.00pm and is set in the stunning grounds

of Hellens Manor, Much Marcle; one of the oldest houses in England.

The theme this year is ‘Nature’s Abundance’. Visitors can enjoy talks and demonstrations, a huge variety of exhibitors, craft stalls, local food and drink, live music, foraging walks, discover the Herefordshire Perry pear, hear about plants for healing and tour the gardens. Plus many children’s activities, including face painting, crafts, a story telling yurt and wacky planter competition for children. To enter, children should bring along a plant in the most unusual or quirky container they can think of for free entry to festival plus the chance to win a brilliant prize.

Monies raised from the festival will go to support the good work of St Michael’s Hospice, Hereford. Admission to the festival is on the gate and costs £6.50 for adults, £2.50 for children, family tickets are £15.00.

Hellens Manor has been described as ‘the jewel in the crown of Herefordshire homes.’ We are open for tours of the house between Easter Sunday and 3rd of October on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays plus bank holiday Mondays. There are three tours daily at 2.00, 3.00 and 4.00pm with tours lasting approximately one hour.

Visitors are welcome to extend their stay by spending time in the beautiful tea room and taking a walk of the grounds. For more information visit www.hellensmanor.com.

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45

WHAT’S ON

NOZSTOCK - THE HIDDEN VALLEY Entering its 17th year this summer on Friday 24th – Sunday 26th July 2015, Nozstock is a family-run and home-made festival on a beautiful working farm set in the truly stunning heart of the Herefordshire countryside.

The father and daughter combination of Noz and Ella have curated one of the country’s most charming and beguiling festivals, surrounded by verdant rolling hills and imbued with a true sensation of escapism.

I

The festival is also very proud to announce true Motown sensation Martha Reeves and the Vandellas as one of the headliners on the Orchard Stage. They have charted over 26 hits, ten Billboard R&B singles chart Top Ten hits and two Number Ones, and their classic ‘Dancing in the Street’ entered the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. True veterans of soul, they headline a bill that focuses on top talent across multiple genres.

Also playing across the weekend are: Beardyman, Hollie

ndependent and just a little bit left-of-centre, Nozstock

Cook, Molotov Jukebox, Electric Swing Circus, Mr B

brims

The Gentleman Rhymer, Skinny Lister, Beans on Toast,

with

diversity,

creativity

and

excitement.

Reassuringly welcoming, it has evolved from 50 friends

Lisbee Stainton, Sean Grant, Peluche and many more,

gathered at the original event in themed 90s and

and DJs include DJ Hype, London Elektricity, Congo Natty,

flourished into an intimate musical odyssey joining the dots between pop, ska, folk, funk, soul, indie, drum and bass, psytrance, house and a whole lot more. Nozstock is a playground for everyone. Inspirational and intimate, it offers a broad spectrum of live music, DJs, arts, comedy, poetry, workshops, cinema and performance in a sublime setting, flowing from family-friendly by day to party by night over various customised venues across the farm. The theme for 2015 is the sci-fi inspired Nozstocker’s Guide to The Galaxy, and the iconic festival has just announced its first wave of live and DJ artists, with many more to be revealed soon.

Nozstock is thrilled to reveal a very special headliner for

Deekline, Dillinja, Ed Rush and Optical and many more.

The Hidden Valley has nine stages, many nooks and crannies and is set around a ramshackle Tudor farmhouse.

The Orchard Stage is set at the foot of a natural arena on the side of the gently sloping valley. Alongside the farmhouse is The Garden Stage, which provides a more eclectic lineup, turning electronic by sundown, whilst a converted cowshed, The Cubicles, pushes out sub-thumping bass and dubstep through to the early hours. The Dingle hosts much of Nozstock’s alternative art activities; a round-the-clock theatre, a cinema screening short films and a dedicated kids area for children of all ages.

this summer: NY-based Wu-Tang Clan, who not only proved to be the most revolutionary rap group of the mid-

Tickets from £80 teen / £105 adult

'90s but are arguably the greatest ever hip-hop group of all

www.nozstock.com / @Nozstock

time and will be taking Nozstock to a different level in July.

www.facebook.com/nozstockthehiddenvalley

Competition For your chance to win a one of two pairs of weekend tickets to Nozstock - The Hidden Valley simply fill out the entry form with the correct answer

Answer: Name:

to the following question:

Which NY-based hip-hop group is headlining Nozstock 2015?

Send your answers in a sealed, stamped, addressed envelope to: Nozstock WVMN, PW Media & Publishing Ltd, 2nd Floor, Richardson House, New Street, Worcester, WR1 ISSUE FORTY FIVEis 27th May 2015.

2DP. Closing date for entries

46

WYE VALLEY Now MAY 2015

Address: Tel: Email:

If you do not wish to receive information on forthcoming events, news and offers from Nozstock please tick this box

BIRDSONG comes to the Courtyard

B

irdsong is a poignant reminder in this modern age, of the misery and suffering endured by those in the trenches in the

First World War. Millions lost their lives during the conflict and each had a personal story to tell. The critically acclaimed production of Sebastian Faulks’s novel, which is coming to The Courtyard in June, focusses on one such story of love, courage and heartbreak.

In pre-war France, a young Englishman, Stephen Wraysford, embarks on a passionate and dangerous affair with the beautiful Isabelle Azaire that turns their worlds upside down. As the war breaks out, Stephen must lead his men through the carnage of the Battle of the Somme and through the sprawling tunnels that lie deep underground. Faced with the unprecedented horror of the war, Stephen clings to the memory of Isabelle and the idyll of his former life as his world explodes around him.

Peter Duncan, Edmund Wiseman and Emily Bowker head the cast in this mesmerising story set before and during the First World War. Peter Duncan, the former Blue Peter presenter and Chief Scout, returns to Birdsong as Jack Firebrace, having played the role in the 2014 tour. Edmund and Emily, fresh from other dramatic successes, play the romantic leads of Stephen Wraysford and Isabelle Azaire.

David Durant, Associate Director at The Courtyard, said, “We are incredibly excited to have Birdsong here in Hereford during the centenary of World War One. This fantastic production promises to be a hit with all ages.”

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47

WHAT’S ON

MAY Until Saturday 23rd May The Potter’s Study AND other Paintings Silk Top Hat Gallery 4 Quality Square Ludlow SY8 1AR www.silktophatgallery.wordpress.com Cost: free Until Sunday 24th May Nature’s Magic Exhibition Applestore Gallery Unit 1, Rockfield Road Hereford HR1 2UA www.applestoregallery.com Cost: free Saturday 2nd Festival of Farming, Food and Wildlife Awnells Farm Much Marcle Herefordshire HR8 2NW www.countrysiderestorationtrust.com Cost: free Saturday 2nd - Sunday 3rd Ross on Wye Beer and Cider Festival Ross Rowing Club The Rope Walk Ross-on-Wye HR9 7BU www.rossonwyelions.org Cost: £5 Sunday 3rd Ross-on-Wye May Fayre Ross Town Centre Herefordshire HR9 7DY

48

ISSUE FORTY FIVE WYE VALLEY Now MAY 2015

www.shopinross.co.uk Cost: free Sunday 3rd - Monday 4th Blossomtime in Putley Putley Green Putley Herefordshire HR8 2QN www.bigapple.org.uk Cost: £1.50 Chilli Festival Eastnor Castle Ledbury Herefordshire HR8 1RR www.eastnorcastle.com Cost: £10 Blossom Weekend - Tractor and Trailer rides Westons Cider Much Marcle Herefordshire HR8 2NQ www.westons-cider.co.uk Cost: £5 per person for a Tractor and Trailer ride including tea/coffee and cake.

Wednesday 6th West End Rocks Courtyard Theatre Edgar Street Hereford HR4 9JR www.courtyard.org.uk Cost: £15 / conc. £13 Thursday 7th Jane Eyre Courtyard Theatre Edgar Street Hereford HR4 9JR www.courtyard.org.uk

Cost: £11 / conc. £10 Thursday 7th – Sunday 10th Hellens Music Festival 2015 Hellens Manor Much Marcle Herefordshire HR8 2LY www.hellensmusic.com Cost: £5 - £16 Saturday 9th Weobley Music Concert Hopelands Weobley Village Hall Herefordshire HR4 8SN 01544 318513 Cost: £10 in advance, £11 Saturday 9th - Sunday 10th Ludlow Spring Festival Ludlow Castle Ludlow Shropshire SY8 1AY www.ludlowspringfestival.co.uk Cost: Day Tickets £6.50, child £2 Sunday 10th A Place Called Winter - A talk by author Patrick Gale The Shire Hall Agincourt Square Monmouth NP25 3DY 01600 775572 Cost £5 Monday 11th – Tuesday 12th Ballet Boyz present the TALENT Courtyard Theatre Edgar Street Hereford HR4 9JR www.courtyard.org.uk Cost: £14 / conc. £13

>>

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49

WHAT’S ON

Wednesday 13th Senbla present Julian Lloyd Webber Courtyard Theatre Edgar Street Hereford HR4 9JR www.courtyard.org.uk Cost: £25 Thursday 14th Writing Alternatively – a talk by Alison Morton and Liesel Schwarz Rossiter Books 7 The High Street Ross- on – Wye HR9 5HL 01989 564464 Cost: £3 Saturday 16th Remi Harris Conquest Theatre Tenbury Road Bromyard HR7 4LT 01885 488575 Cost: £10 Duchess of Malfi Courtyard Theatre Edgar Street Hereford HR4 9JR www.courtyard.org.uk Cost: £15 Bluebell Walk - HWT Lea and Paget’s Wood Woolhope Herefordshire Meeting point given when booking www.herefordshirewt.org Cost: members £4, non-members £5

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ISSUE FORTY FIVE WYE VALLEY Now MAY 2015

Faure’s Requiem in Kington St Mary’s Church Kington Herefordshire HR5 3AG 07766 097600 Cost: £12 on door or £10 in advance Thursday 21st Puma Creek Courtyard Theatre Edgar Street Hereford HR4 9JR www.courtyard.org.uk Cost: £7.50 Saturday 23rd Showaddywaddy Tour Courtyard Theatre Edgar Street Hereford HR4 9JR www.courtyard.org.uk Cost: £19 / conc. £18 Sunday 24th – Monday 25th A Very Victorian Day Out Witley Court and Gardens Great Witley Nr. Worcester WR6 6JT 0370 333 1183 Cost: ticket prices vary Sunday 24th Simon Armitage (Poetry) Hay Festival Dairy Meadows Brecon Road Hay-on-Wye HR3 5PJ www.hayfestival.org Cost: £7

Fossils, Forts and Flora Walk - HWT Broadmoor Common Woolhope Herefordshire Meeting point given when booking www.herefordshirewt.org Cost: Members £10, nonmembers £12 Sunday 24th – Monday 25th Vintage Family Fun Eastnor Castle Eastnor Herefordshire HR8 1RL www.eastnorcastle.com Cost: ticket prices vary Tuesday 26th – Sunday 31st Family Pottery Fun Eastnor Pottery Home Farm Eastnor HR8 1RD admin@eastnorpottery.co.uk Cost: £5

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ISSUE FORTY FIVE WYE VALLEY Now MAY 2015