Welcome to our Spring newsletter. The days are getting longer and hopefully we will get some sunshine to warm up the soil. This year marks the 10th anniversary of The Countrymen’s club and we are planning a celebration on July 28th. Watch out on Facebook and in the press for further details!
During the week before Christmas we were able to organise two afternoons of carols and mince pies. We were delighted to be joined by Eddie Upton, Bonnie Sartin and the Reverend Richard Kirlew and we would like to say thank you to all who attended and supported us. It was a bit chilly as we had to conform with covid regulations and use outside seating for visitors, but the mulled wine soon warmed us up!
You should now have your dates for next three months from April. These may be subject to change, but we will do our best to keep you up to date on what is happening.
Please contact us if you would like to come and have a look round. We always welcome all new enquiries.
We are delighted to have a flurry of new members joining the club this spring. Each one brings along their own memories, stories and skills.
We have also had to say goodbye to some of our longstanding members. We have fond memories of them all and we hope that their families will stay in touch with the club.
Ken busy preparing for the new pathway
Fun and games for Burn’s night!
Out and about!
The old wooden pathway was taken up and relayed with concrete
The cuckoo comes in April, he sings his song in May. He changes his tune in the middle of June and then he flies away.
Some of you may recall that for the 75th anniversary of VE day,2020, we went out during lockdown and delivered essential supplies to some of our more local members. This year, we will be putting the flags up once again, but this time for the Queen’s jubilee!
The flags will be up and this time we will be able to invite you back to the farm for tea and refreshments!
These pictures were taken in 2020,but we hope to bring back some vintage tractors and equipment for the day.
Out and About
After a blustery and wet winter, the farmers will be keen to get their spring corn and maize planted and their grass fields rolled and harrowed. The cattle will be looking forward to turnout, a sight that never fails to bring a smile to my face!
Spring time quiz.
- Complete the saying: “Cast not a clout……”(‘till May be out)
- Complete the saying “Spring has sprung, the grass riz…”( I wonder where the birdies is)
- What do you call a baby puffin? (a puffling)
- What sort of plants do Red Admiral butterflies prefer? (nettles)
- What is the incubation period of a duck egg? (28 days)
- Who composed the Four Seasons? (Vivaldi) What is the first day of spring called (the vernal equinox)
- In which country are cherry blossoms considered a sign of spring? (Japan)
- March is named after which Roman god? (Mars, the god of war)
- Who wrote the poem “daffodils”? (William Wordsworth)
- What is the history behind the saying: “Beware the ides of March? ( date when Julius Caesar was assassinated)
- What is the name of the town featured in the Simpsons? (Springfield)
- Who is the Roman goddess of spring? (Flora)
Hay Making
Do you remember those days in the sun?
those glorious memories of innocent fun.
The ride on the trailer at the end of the day,
on top of the bales of sweet smelling hay.
Ducking the branches and holding on tight,
stacking the bales far into the night.
with sores on our fingers and sweat on our brow,
I wonder how many remember this now.
Riding the sledge and making small stacks,
no wonder we all have knackered old backs.
The bales on the bottom set on their side,
a neat full old barn gave a feeling of pride.
The old sisal string that the rats liked to chew
and then came the plastic, the pink and the blue.
Cutting the strings right next to the knot,
this is the farming that time has forgot.
And that sweet smell of hay drying under the sun,
before all the hard work had even begun.
With an Acrobat, Wuffler or old Vicon Lely,
which skipped all the bits if it got a bit hilly.
The beat of the baler, the dust and the heat,
patches on knees, old boots on our feet.
And bottles of water left in the shade,
waiting for days until we got paid.
And when we had stacked right up to the top,
and the elevator finally came to a stop.
We’d climb down the side without any care,
with dust in our noses and bits in our hair.
Staying one step ahead of the rain.
Working through blisters, the hurt and the pain.
That sweet smell of hay when you open a bale,
transports you right back as you smile and inhale.
Now time has moved on, the old baler is rusty.
No more do we worry about bales that are musty.
Now it’s all silage but the memories remain
of pitching up bales and the ride down the lane.