Hello My Dears,
June is a time full
of pleasant pastimes and tasks to be done. Our little village is
thriving with activity, all of us happy in the warm sun of these
longer days. Have you heard that our dear Charlotte Watson has left
us to marry and settle in Rushton? I know you all join me in sending
our best wishes to her in this new chapter of her life. Lorne Bratten, nephew of Leandrea Wallis has returned from a trip north and is a much welcomed help at the Rose & Crown Inn. Our dear
friend Patience Blackthorne of The Brambles is off for high adventure
touring Italy with her chaperones. She will be sorely missed but
perhaps at some time in the distant future she may enthrall us with
her tales of high adventure. We also have the pleasure of welcoming
Miss Lavinia Rose Westcott to our Amberleigh family. I am sure we
shall all delight in making her acquaintance.
You will no doubt
have heard the news that a regiment of the His Majesty’s Army has
set up their camp just outside Cheltenham so you may just see some of
these fine young men looking impressive in their uniforms when you
visit Bexford Market next. I dare say we may even have some of them
at our Midsummer Masque. I have had the pleasure of meeting one
Captain Venning, a most agreeable young man, who tells me they will
remain in our area until August.
The morning of June
10th saw us all pause in awe to watch the Count and
Countess Von Alland arrive at Carlyle House in their grand equipage
and four beautiful greys. The Count and Baron Marlowe were tutored
together as children, I’m told, the Count being the son of the
Ambassador to England from Vienna and a good friend to his Lordship’s
father. Lady Elizabeth tells me the Count and Countess will
demonstrate a dance called The Waltz at our Midsummer Masque.
Have you all been
sewing your costumes and getting your masks in order for this most
anticipated event? I have had a very clever idea for my own costume,
I wonder how many of you will recognize me? It shall be glorious
dancing the night away enjoying the pleasure of one another’s
company, do you not agree? Lady Caroline, Lady Elizabeth and
Leandrea Wallis have put much effort into the ball for your enjoyment
and I’m sure it shall be a most enchanting evening for us all.
The happy news of
Mary Thomas’ pregnancy can only be made more joyous in the knowledge that we may expect another new resident in Amberleigh in the new year
from Lady Elizabeth. Both are delighted their babes shall be born
shortly after the new year and hope they shall be lifelong friends.
The Thomas’ have the added good news of Reverend Thomas being
gifted the living of Constance in addition to the living of
Amberleigh. With this added responsibility a curate will be joining
our realm in order to assist the vicar and I know you shall all
welcome Mr. Neville Clutterback into our family when he arrives in
mid June.
Our summer fete
grows closer and proves to be a day of pleasure for everyone. Lady
Caroline and Lady Elizabeth have worked with Mary Thomas for some
time now to create a day of fun and an evening of music and dancing
that shall rival all other fetes in our environs. I hope you are all
working diligently on your entries for the competitions. I hear
there will be many categories to admire this year and I for one am
looking forward to the day.
Speaking of the
fete, have you noticed the elder flowers? I believe they are one of
the prettiest harbingers of summer. Frothy clusters of tiny buds burst into bloom making the hedgerows look beautiful. The berries
have their own uses but the flowers may also be used to great
advantage. This week I’m brewing a little elder flower sparkling
drink to enjoy on one of those long, hot summer days and a little
extra just for the fete. This is something all the family may enjoy
for it is not spirited. Perhaps you will also brew a batch for
yourselves and one for the fete for all to enjoy.
Here is my recipe
should you care to make this refreshing drink:
to 1 Gallon (4 ½
litres) of water add:
4 or 5 elder flower
heads with as much of the stem cut off as possible
juice 2 lemons then
quarter the rinds
2 tablespoons of
white wine vinegar
1 ½ pounds (750
grams) of sugar
Stir this mixture
all through the day then on the second day pour it through a fine
sieve or cloth into bottles. Put the bottles in your cupboard and in
two weeks you shall have a lovely effervescent drink to enjoy.
With all my best
wishes,
Old Mary
