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Charlecote Park's Orangery
Restaurant closed briefly during heavy Christmas snow when the Park itself was
closed. The new manager, Daryl White, who started in December, has brought with
him a wealth of experience gained in catering with the National Trust at
Wimpole Hall. He says he is fully committed to using local produce, including
Charlecote sheep and venison, where possible, and to offering a range of
options in price and scale, both now and during the summer. “The Orangery is
beautiful and we must be careful not to ruin the ambience” he said, though he
recognises that at times queuing is an issue. His plans to improve matters
include the development of additional outlets in the site, pre-ordering for
group visits, and “turning the menu round”. Even in January drinks, soup,
pasties and other snacks were available for those who were enjoying their walk
in the parkland.
During February staff
concentrate on conservation in the house, but outside very necessary work is
being done on the structure of the building. Scaffolding, in large quantities,
was erected in January, and hopefully much will be finished before the season
gets underway. Meanwhile the wildlife in the park waits for anyone willing to
spend a little time with eyes well open.
Residents’ Passes
Passes for entry to Charlecote Park from March
2011 to the end of February 2012 will be available for collection at
Wellesbourne Library on Saturday 5th March from 10am to 12noon
and also on Wednesday 16th March from 4pm to 6pm, for residents
of Wellesbourne and Walton.
Stour Singers’
performance of Britten's great community cantata Saint
Nicolas in St Edmund's, Shipston, just before Christmas attracted a
capacity audience who thoroughly enjoyed singing their part backed by
the magnificent Orchestra of the Swan.
This occasion revealed a
wealth of singing talent in the audience, so if moved to join in the next
production, Mendelssohn's Elijah 14 May 2011,
please come along to Stour Singers' rehearsals which have just
started on Thursday evenings at 7pm in the Community Lounge, Shipston High
School. No auditions!
Contact Vic Twyman, tel: 01451 870361 for further info or visit the website:
www.stoursingers.org.uk .
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Believe it or not these are
just chalk drawings on the pavement. They're so realistic, that chap in the
picture is carefully walking round what is only an imaginary hole in the
paving. And don't they give a more positive twist to what is usually called
graffiti? They are by an artist called Julian Beever and they are in cities all
around the world. He did start one in Birmingham once, but the council stopped him!
His website is:
http://users.skynet.be/J.Beever/pave.htm .
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The Lady Loves Jazz
A wonderful celebration of
the greatest ladies in Jazz
Jazz singer Helen Barrett has
been performing professionally for over ten years touring throughout the UK,
New Zealand and Spain.
Helen is at ST PETER'S CHURCH,
WELLESBOURNE on Thursday 17th February at 7:30pm. Tickets only £7.50 are available
from Peter & Veronica Quinn, 22 Mountford Close, Wellesbourne 01789
840827, Mike Dane on 01789 470491 or on the door. A wine bar will be
available in aid of church funds.
Tailpiece
Yesterday
I was at my local store buying a large bag of dog food for my loyal pet dog,
and was in the checkout queue when a woman behind me asked if I had a dog.
What did she think I had, an elephant? So on impulse I told her that no, I
didn't have a dog, I was starting the DF Diet again. I added that I probably
shouldn't, because I ended up in the hospital last time, but that I'd lost 50
pounds before I woke up in intensive care with tubes coming out of most of my
orifices and IVs in both arms.
I told her that it was essentially a perfect diet and that the way
that it works is to fill your pockets with dog food nuggets and simply eat one
or two every time you feel hungry. The food is nutritionally complete so it
works well and I was going to try it again. (At this point I have to mention
that practically everyone in the queue was fascinated with my story.)
Horrified,
she asked if I ended up in intensive care because the dog food poisoned
me. I told her no, I had just stepped off the pavement to exchange sniffs
with a passing Alsatian and a car hit us both.
I thought the guy behind her was going to have a heart attack he was laughing
so much.
They won't let me shop there anymore.
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