Tailpiece

The History of ‘APRONS’

I don't think our kids know what an apron is.
        The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath because she only had a few. It was also because it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and aprons used less material. But along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.
        It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.

        From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.
        When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids. And when the weather was cold grandma wrapped it around her arms.

CHARLECOTE PARK

Charlecote will remember September as the month of the Antiques Roadshow – news from that event follows. Meanwhile October has lots to offer – Deer Park Safaris, with a trailer ride around the parkland, will offer a chance to get closer to the animals – the young born this year and the stags at the time of the rut. Book in advance for Saturday/ Sunday 9^th to 24^th October or Monday/Tuesday 25/26^th at 11am or 2pm tour (Adults £5, children £3).

A new venture this year offers traditionally reared Hogget (mature tasty lamb) from Charlecote’s heritage organic Jacob Sheep with freezer packs of a half hogget hamper at £3.30 per kilo (from £60 for a half hogget). The hampers are subject to availability – a £10 deposit is required. Coming soon – Charlecote venison and Jacobs Lamb sausages and burgers.

The conservation work needed on the balustrade and stonework of the Gatehouse will mean scaffolding and work for about 4 months, depending on weather, but will also bring the opportunity for erection of a viewing platform for visitors to have a fantastic view of the grounds and further afield for a limited time. For further details of opening, events, etc please contact Charlecote Park on 01789 470277 or visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-charlecotepark .

How many people does it take to produce a BBC programme? The Antiques Roadshow came to Charlecote Park on 16th September, with over 2,800 visitors enjoying the event and the Park a-buzz with BBC teams and National Trust Volunteers. At the end of a fine day a few people went home disappointed about their “treasure” but many more had found out more about the value and background of their antiques from a team of 30 experts who were kept busy looking at everything from Grandma's watch to the family portraits.

        Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove. Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron. From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.

In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees. When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.
        When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men folks knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.
        It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes.

REMEMBER:
Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool. Her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw. They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron.
        I don't think I ever caught anything from an apron - but love ...