If BOTH rock festivals AND steam rallies are not your thing, then you might consider visiting the English National Sheepdog Trials taking place this weekend at Blore Pastures, Ilam. More details may be found by clicking here.
Archive for the ‘Out & About’ Category
English Sheepdog Trials This Weekend
Posted in Events, Out & About on Saturday August 2, 2008| Leave a Comment »
Cromford Steam Rally
Posted in Events, Out & About on Friday August 1, 2008| 1 Comment »
If open air rock festivals aren’t quite your “thing”, then here’s an alternative activity for this weekend.
Now in its 38th year, the Cromford Steam Rally takes place on Saturday and Sunday (August 2/3) at High Acres Farm, Dewey Lane, Brackenfield, near Matlock. (On the A615 Matlock to Alfreton road; click here for a map.)
The rally is of interest and amusement for the whole family, whilst at the same time retaining the essence of the bygone spirit of our event.
Our tractor section will give you a unique insight into life on the farms in days gone by.
Look in our rural crafts section and enjoy the demonstrations taking place.
We have traditional steamers, historical motor vehicles, stationary engines, a model marquee and miniature steam.
Amble around the stalls, have a look at our old time fair rides, look through our sections of motorcycles, commercial vehicles, military displays and our wonderful old time organs.
Full admission is £6. OAPs and 14-and-unders pay £3, and under-5s can enter free.
(Thanks to Mike G. for the info.)
Tatton Park Show Trip
Posted in Gardens, Out & About, Societies on Monday July 28, 2008| Leave a Comment »
On Friday 17 of us set off to the RHS Tatton Park Show, it was a great day out, very warm and thankfully dry. There was loads to see, the most amazing displays in the marquees, including vegetables, plants & flower arranging. Outside there were the show gardens, back to back gardens & formal beds – some take a little while to get your head around. There is also all the paraphernalia that goes with gardens, we came away with a greenhouse!! Thanks to Dot for organising this trip for the Horticultural Society.
Southern Area Community Forum
Posted in Events, Out & About on Monday July 28, 2008| Leave a Comment »
This is your chance to put your views to the County and District Councils and to the Peak District National Park Authority.
Southern Area Community Forum
at 7pm tonight (Monday 28th July)
at St Oswald’s Church Hall, School Lane, Ashbourne
Chaired by Andrew Lewer with Senior Officers and Members from DDDC, DCC, the Police, the Fire Service and the Peak District National Park Authority present to discuss Civil Issues, Parking, the Ashbourne Partnership and ANY other topic that those attending wish to see discussed.
Where are we walking to?
Posted in Out & About, Photography, Project Parwich on Monday July 28, 2008| 11 Comments »
Our mystery photographer took these shots yesterday afternoon, while walking from Parwich to… where, exactly?
If you can name the mystery destination, then our mystery photographer will make a donation to Project Parwich.
But be warned: for every day that the mystery remains unsolved, the size of the donation will decrease by £1.
The twenty shots below are arranged in the same sequence as the walk. Because of lighting conditions, some of them are taken looking backwards rather than forwards. Click on each image to enlarge it, and click on “Continue Reading” (at the foot of this post) to see all twenty images.
When the mystery has been solved, we will publish a photo of the mystery walkers at their final destination.
Please feel free to discuss the clues in the comments box!
A stroll on Stanton Moor
Posted in Out & About on Saturday July 26, 2008| Leave a Comment »
After a lunch at The Old Smithy Tearooms in Beeley, a delightful walk to do is on Stanton Moor. On a beautiful clear day, such as today the open vistas are vast, on one side you look down the valley towards Matlock and on the other side over towards Over Haddon & Youlgreave. The scenery on the moor is so different from the rest of our area, probably the closest heather moors to Parwich. The heather is just starting to come out & in 2-3 weeks it really will be a blaze of colour. The main footpaths are well trodden and excellent underfoot, suitable even for those who are a little uncertain on their feet, providing you can cope with one stile. It is about a 15 to 20 minute walk to see the Nine Ladies Stone Circle, small standing stones in the middle of the moor. Parking is on the road from Stanton in Peak to Birchover.
Southern Area Community Forum
Posted in Events, Out & About on Thursday July 17, 2008| Leave a Comment »
This is your chance to put your views to the County and District Councils and to the Peak District National Park Authority.
Southern Area Community Forum
at 7pm on Monday 28th July
at St Oswald’s Church Hall
Chaired by Andrew Lewer with Senior Officers and Members from DDDC, DCC, the Police, the Fire Service and the Peak District National Park Authority present to discuss Civil Issues, Parking, the Ashbourne Partnership and ANY other topic that those attending wish to see discussed.
Arkwright’s Mill, Cromford
Posted in History, Out & About, Societies on Wednesday July 16, 2008| Leave a Comment »
The Local History Society’s visit last night to Arkwright’s Mill at Cromford was a great success. There was a tour of the mill site, an organ recital in St Mary’s Church with its amazing Victorian wall paintings and coffee in Willersley Castle.
Photo by Mike G
The Arkwright Society has achieved a great deal, but it is vital they are supported to complete the restoration of this World Heritage Site, in particular the internationally important first mill.
More information and further photos will be available, in the hopefully not too distant future, through our History Society Newsletters.
Visit to Cromford Mill
Posted in Events, History, Out & About, Societies on Wednesday July 9, 2008| Leave a Comment »
Tissington Hall in today’s Guardian.
Posted in Local Links, Out & About, People on Tuesday July 8, 2008| Leave a Comment »
In the “G2” section of today’s Guardian, there’s a long and very interesting feature on the problems faced by the hereditary occupants of English stately homes.
The article is liberally peppered with specific references to Tissington Hall, and with quotes from its current owner, Sir Richard Fitzherbert. As such, it should be of great interest to many readers of this site.
Art Exhibition and Sale at Tissington
Posted in Arts, Events, Out & About on Saturday July 5, 2008| Leave a Comment »
Thank you to Gill S for supplying the following:
An Exhibition and Sale of Art Work produced by students from Ashbourne Adult Community Education Centre, Tutor David Woodrow, will take place in Tissington Church on Saturday 12th July from 10-00am onwards.
Brassington Open Gardens – Sat & Sun
Posted in Gardens, Out & About on Friday July 4, 2008| Leave a Comment »
Open Gardens and Flower Festival
Sat 5th & Sun 6th July
11am – 5pm – entry £4
With more than 20 gardens to visit, a flower festival, an art exhibition and a bell ringing competition there is plenty to keep you occupied. Refreshments are available at the Legion Hall between 11am – 2pm.
Brassington is an attractive old village situated on a south facing hilltop and surrounded by spectacular countryside. The fine Norman church of St James overlooks the village where there are some lovely old houses and pretty cottages set amongst narrow streets. Once an important centre for lead mining, there are still many remnants of the old industry to be seen in the area.
Fenny Bentley Open Gardens
Posted in Gardens, Out & About on Saturday June 14, 2008| 1 Comment »
Tomorrow, Sunday 15th of June, is Fenny Bentley Open Gardens. Gardens are open from 1pm to 5pm, and there will also be scarecrows and displays on the theme of nursery rhymes. Admission is £3 (including a cup of tea), at the School, where additional refreshments will be available including lots of homemade cakes, scones & strawberries & cream. Parking is in the field at the far end of Ashes Lane.
The event is organised by the Fenny Bentley Initiative (FBI), and this year the profits will be donated to the Air Ambulance Service.
Looking Sharp at Winster
Posted in Events, Out & About on Saturday June 14, 2008| Leave a Comment »
Thank you Jonathan for supplying this photo taken at Winster’s Look Sharp earlier this evening; look for the familiar face with an uncharacteristically serious expression:
‘Look Sharp’ in Winster
Posted in Arts, History, Out & About on Thursday June 12, 2008| Leave a Comment »
AND NOW FOR SOMETHING REALLY DIFFERENT THIS WEEKEND
The ancient Peak District village of Winster, near Bakewell, will be transported back in time one hundred years on Friday June 13, with the Look Sharp! re-enactment of the historic visit by pioneering folksong collector, Cecil Sharp. The event is supported by a grant of £18,700 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). (more…)
A ‘must-see’ garden
Posted in Gardens, Out & About on Thursday June 12, 2008| Leave a Comment »
Thank you to Richard Tresidder for forwarding this information. Fanshawe Gate Hall has one of the most charming private gardens in Derbyshire, and the Ramsdens have worked very hard to make it accessible to as many people as possible, at the same time raising substantial funds for charity. If you have not visited these gardens you certainly should (though not on Sunday 22nd of June, as that day is Parwich’s Open Gardens).
Press Release
Derbyshire garden in Guardian’s ‘must-see’ list
Hartington Flower Festival
Posted in Out & About on Thursday June 5, 2008| Leave a Comment »
New Interactive Peak Park Site
Posted in Local Links, News, Out & About on Wednesday June 4, 2008| 2 Comments »
Peak Experience have set up a new interactive website: My Peak Experience. This is thought to be the first website of its kind for a National Park. It is designed for participants to share their words, pictures and sound recordings of the Peak District with others around the world.
The nearest image to our area, at the time of writing this, is a photo of Tissington Hall. So if you want to share your images and thoughts with the rest of the world, do come first to PARWICH.ORG, but then secondly you might want to look at My Peak Experience, which also has a version for mobile phones www.mypeakexperience.org.uk/?device=mobile.
Brassington Tour
Posted in Events, Out & About, Societies on Wednesday June 4, 2008| Leave a Comment »
Don’t forget Parwich & District Local History Society have organised a guided walk around Brassington this evening (Wednesday 4th June). Meet outside the Miners Arms in Brassington at 7-30pm, refreshments will be available in the same Pub at the end of the walk. The weather is looking promising.
All are welcome and there is no charge.
Open Gardens at Stanton in Peak
Posted in Gardens, Out & About on Sunday June 1, 2008| 3 Comments »
If you have never walked around Stanton in Peak I can strongly recommend it. We spent this afternoon exploring their Open Gardens. All the gardens are fairly small and a few you can see from the road, but the interest is really when you go down the little alleys and the cottage gardens at the rear, with some amazing views over towards Bakewell and Haddon Hall. The village really is perched on the side of the hill, with many of the gardens well terraced. Youlgreave Brass Band was strategically located in the centre of the village near the pub, providing a pleasant interlude. We didn’t try the Flying Childers, a freehouse, but some of the locals told us that they served good ale and food. I think that on one of the nice summer evenings (I’m an optimist) we’ll have a walk over Stanton Moor and call in at the pub. If you have tried the pub do leave a comment, maybe I feel a food review coming up.
Now I haven’t mentioned a tearoom in this blog, that’s because we didn’t visit one. However I was delighted to arrive home to find a goody bag on the doorstep, inside was a Passionate Carrot Cake from Chatsworth Farm Shop. It is delicious, moist, fruity, nutty and of course the carrots make it a healthy eating option, part of my 5 a day. So the next time you are near Pilsley I recommend calling in to either the Farm Shop or one of Chatsworth’s tearooms. Thank you Mike & Kevin.
Other Opens Gardens that are being well advertised at the moment are Bonsall’s on 14th & 15th June – 10.30-5pm, Birchover’s on 14th & 15th June – 1-5.30pm & Fenny Bentley’s on Sunday 15th 1-5pm.
Don’t forget Parwich Open Gardens on Sunday 22nd June 2-6pm.
Hawthorns on Pasture Lane
Posted in Out & About, Photography on Saturday May 31, 2008| Leave a Comment »
Ideas for Sunday
Posted in Out & About, Project Parwich on Saturday May 31, 2008| Leave a Comment »
Stanton in the Peak Open Gardens – 1-5pm with 20+ gardens open, cream teas, plant & craft sales. This is a small estate village on a steep hillside with some stunning panoramic views. There are twisting roads & paths by which you can explore some hidden gardens. £3 per person, all funds go to the British Heart Foundation & the Village Fund. It is within 20minutes of Parwich, between Birchover & Bakewell.
Sunday evening – Quiz night at the Sycamore – 7.45 for a prompt 8pm start. This quiz has been organised by Don & Audrey for Project Parwich. It’ll be a real good fun evening, a mix of questions & a chance to catch up with friends & neighbours. Raffle Prizes will be gratefully received so look through your cupboards for any unwanted gifts or an odd bottle or two.
Brassington Tour
Posted in History, Out & About on Friday May 30, 2008| Leave a Comment »
Places to visit/Where to go
Posted in About this site, Out & About, Young people on Tuesday May 27, 2008| Leave a Comment »
Following our previous post on Kids’ Activities, we have updated the ‘Where to go‘ guide. As well as an index of our relevant posts it now has links to lots of Peak District and surrounding area attractions, under the following headings:
- Houses & Gardens
- Museums & Industrial Sites
- Railways etc.
- Landscape, Archaeology & Ancient Monuments
- Caves & Caverns
- Fun for Kids of all ages
- Sports & Leisure
- Animals & Wildlife
- More Places to Visit
Hope everyone is having a great half-term and do let us know about any places you enjoyed visiting or any fun activities. Do add comments below or email any reviews to parwich@hotmail.co.uk.
Also for any budding young photographers out there, we would welcome any photos of your half-term to post on this site.
Other Village Websites
Posted in About this site, Local Links, Out & About on Sunday May 25, 2008| 1 Comment »
I have been doing some looking at other village websites for our MORE LINKS page, and wanted to share some local links. There are several very good sites for neighbouring villages, that are also interesting because of their ‘What’s on’ pages. Look out for events that you might want to travel to. Perhaps the most extensive sites are Bonsall and Winster, which have both been going for several years and cover most aspects of village life. It is also worth looking at the Birchover, Brassington, Elton and Youlgrave sites. (We especially recommend the Elton site, because they have a link back to our site.)
Although PARWICH.ORG is not yet the most comprehensive, it is perhaps the most active in terms of community participation and certainly the most interactive (mainly due to the Blogging approach we have taken). If you come across any other Peak District community sites do let us know about them. Also if you are interested in looking at village sites elsewhere in the country it is worth going to the A to Z directory at Villages On-Line, which has a large number of links.
A fabulous day of Art.
Posted in Arts, Events, Out & About on Saturday May 24, 2008| Leave a Comment »
If you haven’t taken time out today to explore some of the Derbyshire Open Arts you still have time. Today we spent a wonderful 4 1/2 hours driving around the Peak District, exploring lanes that we might never have seen, admiring hawthorne trees laden with blossom & loads of tiny calves. On top of all this we have been able to enjoy seeing some amazing talent in the form of local “artists”. We went from Middleton in Youlgreave (lunch at Monsal Dale – but that is for another blog) to Cressbrook, Taddington, Earl Sterndale & Glutton Bridge. Everyone has been so friendly & welcoming at each venue (some have tea & cakes on offer as well). We’ve admired the skill & work in the wide range of paintings, photos & textile that we have seen, some we have fallen in love with & others are just not our style, but it is a unique opportunity to see such a wide variety of mediums. At no point are you ever made to feel that you should be buying, so if you have the time on Sunday or Monday get out and enjoy the art. We are looking forward to exploring the work of four artists who are exhibiting in Parwich tomorrow. Let’s hope that the Arts Council see sense and continue to provide funding for future years.
A few ideas for this weekend
Posted in Alsop, Arts, Events, Gardens, Out & About on Friday May 23, 2008| 1 Comment »
Derbyshire Open Arts – Sat – Mon at various venues across Derbyshire, but locally call in & see Ruby Hickmott, Lewis & Mandy Noble & Laura Stevens
Hognaston Flower Festival – until Wed 10.30-6pm – Definitely worth a visit
Wirksworth Well Dressing – Sat – Tue & their carnival on Mon at 1pm
Artists & Designers Fair at Pavilion Gardens Buxton – Sun & Mon 10am-4.30pm
Ashbourne Town Band Concert – Memorial Gardens, Ashbourne – Sunday 25th -3pm
Craft and Gift Fayre at Hartington Village Hall – Sun & Mon 10am-5pm
The Burrows Garden Open Day at Brailsford – Sun 10.30-4.30pm
Sheffield & District Orchid Society Annual Show at Cavendish Hall, Edensor – Sun 11am-5pm, Mon 10.30am-4pm
Tea & Cakes at Alsop Church – Mon 11am – 4pm
Horticultural Trip to Sheffield
Posted in Gardens, Out & About on Friday May 23, 2008| 2 Comments »
Wednesday’s trip to Sheffield Botanical Gardens seems to have been enjoyed by all. We started with coffee and biscuits in a portacabin-type building, before the garden tour.
Our guide was Sue Kohler a very impressive lady who as Chair of the Friends of the Gardens (with others) has directed her energy and intellect to the restoration of the gardens. (more…)
Hognaston Flower Festival
Posted in Out & About on Thursday May 22, 2008| Leave a Comment »
For details on 2009 flower festival click here
Hognaston has a really professional flower festival and everywhere you look there are flowers. I also highly recommend their cakes!!
Ashbourne Telegraph this week
Posted in Church, Farming, News, Out & About, Planning, Services on Thursday May 22, 2008| Leave a Comment »
I have spotted three stories with local links in the Ashbounrne News Telegraph this week. The main one being an article on the closure of the Chapel several weeks ago. Also our own Debbie Webster featured in an appeal for volunteers for Ashbourne Arts Festival (to find out more contact the Volunteer Centre). Finally congratulations to Charles Bunting for his success in the Ashbourne Farmers’ Club judging of beef cattle last Friday.
As always let us know about anything I missed.
Five hours later: so far you have pointed out the following
- A letter from Patriotic of Parwich p.12
- Guided walks in Tissington, led by Sir Richard (10-30am Sat 31st May, 10-30am Sat 14th June and 6-30pm Tues 29th July) p.32
- Planning Application for change of use of former Parwich Shop to domestic use, application no. NP/DDD/0408/0307 (any interested party comments must be in within 21 days) p.44
- Ashbourne Town Darts, both the Legion and the Sycamore Teams will be playing in the Divisional Finals on Friday 30th May p.53
Ashbourne Festival 2008
Posted in Arts, Events, Out & About on Monday May 19, 2008| Leave a Comment »
20 June to 6 July
This is the 9th Ashbourne Festival brought to you by Ashbourne Arts, and it promises to be a feast of both quality and quantity!
With support from the Arts Council Ashbourne is holding it’s first International Streetfest – 21 and 22 June. Street performers from Britain, Ireland, USA, Canada, Portugal and Australia will provide a galaxy of non-stop entertainment during the opening weekend.
The same weekend Ashbourne also welcomes The King’s Consort, one of Europe’s leading period instrument orchestras and as if that isn’t enough The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain breeze into town to entertain the following weekend.
Watch this space for details of more excting events coming our way during the festival.
To book contact Ashbourne Arts on 01335 348707 Mon-Fri 10.00 – 3.00
or Tourist Information Centre 01335 343666 Mon-Sat 9.30 – 5.00
For brochures contact Mandy Noble on 778
Trip to The Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Posted in Arts, Out & About on Monday May 19, 2008| 1 Comment »
The Dovedale Gallery on Dig Street, Ashbourne is planning an outing to The Yorkshire Sculpture Park on Friday 30th May.
The cost will be £12 (payable at time of booking). Early booking is advisable as places are limited.
The coach will depart from Cockayne Avenue car park at 9am and leave the Sculpture Park at 5pm for the return journey.
If you fancy a day out please call into the store or telephone 347489 to reserve your place.
Hognaston Flower Festival
Posted in Church, Out & About on Sunday May 18, 2008| Leave a Comment »
St Bartholomew’s Church, Hognaston is hosting a
Flower Festival
Thursday 22nd to Wednesday 28th May
Open daily 10am -6-30pm
Cream teas available
The church is particularly interesting in relation Parwich because of the parallels with St Peter’s. It has a crude Norman carved tympanum very similar to the one in Parwich and a fine Norman font, but was almost entirely rebuilt by the Victorians. Parwich and Hognaston were both held by the de Ferrers family in the twelfth century, when the churches were built, and both were ceded to the Duchy of Lancaster.
Kids’ Activities
Posted in Out & About, Young people on Saturday May 17, 2008| Leave a Comment »
With half-term coming up, does anyone have any good suggestions for things to do during the holidays? Here are some places we have visited or just found on the web:
- Alton Towers, Alton, Staffs
- Ashbourne Leisure Centre, Ashbourne
- Archery Events, Ipstones, Staffs
- Bakewell Swimming Pool, Bakewell
- Blue John Cavern, Castleton
- Bumpi’s Big Adventure Indoor Play Centre, Derby
- Busy Bees Indoor Play Area, Buxton
- Carsington Sports & Leisure, Carsington Water
- Chatsworth Farmyard & Adventure Playground, Chatsworth
- Chestnut Centre Otter Owl & Wildlife Park, Chapel en le Frith
- Chucklebutties, Belper
- Churnet Valley Railway, Cheddleton, Staffs
- Conkers, Moira, Nr Ashby de la Zouche
- Crazy Crocodiles Indoor Play Centre, Ilkeston
- Crich Tramway Village, Crich
- Derbyshire Dales Llamas, Hulland Ward, Nr Ashbourne
- Ecclesbourne Valley Railway, Wirksworth
- Farmcraft Rare Breed Centre, Knivetonwood, Nr Ashbourne
- Go Ape Hire Wire Forest Adventure, Buxton
- Going Potty, Matlock Bath (more…)
Derbyshire Literature Festival
Posted in Arts, Out & About on Saturday May 17, 2008| Leave a Comment »
I happened to pick up a leaflet for the Derbyshire Literature Festival, which runs from the 1st to the 14th June and the programme can be seen on line. I have not registered it in previous years, but it looks quite interesting.
For more general information on what is coming up in Derbyshire also see the artsderbyshire website, and of course our own EVENTS BEYOND page.
What to do this weekend
Posted in Gardens, Out & About on Thursday May 15, 2008| 5 Comments »
The floral theme is strong this weekend with Saturday seeing the start of Carsington Flower Festival (see post below), of Ashford in the Water Well Dressings (continues till Sunday 25th May), and of the Bakewell Garden Festival (Saturday & Sunday).
It continues on Sunday, when Yeldersley Hall gardens are open to the public from 2pm to 5-30pm in aid of Osmaston Church and Primary School and a malaria project in the Gambia. The gardens are noted for their rhododendrons and azaleas, and for more details of the afternoon contact Joan Bailey on 01335 347012.
For the less horticulturally minded there is a historic railway walk from Rowsley Station on Saturday and an RNLI Fun Day on Sunday at Carsington Water. To find out more about these events see our EVENTS BEYOND page.
Also as Mike pointed out the Buxton Antiques Fair, which has already started, continues up to Sunday.
Don’t worry if you start feeling flower power withdrawal next week as Hognaston Flower Festival starts next Thursday, prior to the Open Gardens Season getting into full swing in June. When does anyone find time to do any gardening?
Carsington Flower Festival
Posted in Out & About on Thursday May 15, 2008| Leave a Comment »
This weekend sees the start of a flower festival at:
St Margaret’s Church, Carsington
10-30am to 7-30pm
Saturday 17th to Thursday 22nd May
It will provide an ideal opportunity for all those home made cake enthusiastics who are having trouble waiting for the next bank holiday Monday at Alsop Church.
Information sent to Parish Council
Posted in Out & About, Parish Council, Services on Wednesday May 14, 2008| Leave a Comment »
Karen Wigley, Clerk to Parwich Parish Council passed on the following information that has been sent to the Parish Council:
Derbyshire Directory
Find out what is going on in your area.
Add details of your clubs or society.
Have you discovered the Derbyshire Directory yet? If you are embarking on a new hobby or keen to find out what is happening in your locality then the Derbyshire Directory could help you in your search. Set up by Derbyshire County Council, the Directory is an online directory of over 2500 local clubs, societies and voluntary groups.
If you are involved in running any such group that is not yet listed then you can be added to the Directory. It costs nothing to be included in the Directory and listing will allow you to promote not just your local organisation but also any volunteer opportunities you have and any events you are holding. You can submit your details on line. If you are not able, or prefer not, to apply online, please call 01629 585 357 and we will post you a form.
Sally Furness
Promotions Officer
Fly-Tipping
Fly-tipping rubbish is a crime
Help put a stop to it
Call 08456 058 058
Environment Agency
Derbyshire Dales County Council
Shacklocks Walk for Rainbows
Carsington Water – Sunday 13th July 2008
An 8 mile walk around Carsington Water
in aid of Rainbows (the East Midlands children’s hospice)
For details either phone 01509 638 009, or email kaye.graham@rainbows.co.uk or visit the Rainbows website
The George at Alstonefield.
Posted in Eating Out, Out & About on Monday May 12, 2008| 9 Comments »
Following last year’s major refit of its dining room, The George has become one of our favourite local eating destinations. Under the guidance of new landlady Emily Hammond, this family-run inn has moved decisively into “gastropub” territory, as befits the sparse elegance of the almost unrecognisable new dining area. Although still only in his mid-twenties, head chef Wade Raithby has proved himself more than capable of delivering consistent excellence – a minor miracle, given the cramped kitchen space available.
Last Saturday night, four of us oohed and aahed our way through the full three course menu. For starters, two of us went for the duck and ham hock terrine, while the other two splurged on a wonderfully inventive combination of seared king scallops and tender morsels of new season lamb. If that sounds like an unlikely marriage of flavours, then the mintiness of the accompanying pea mash and the sweetness of the surrounding carrot beurre blanc formed the bridge between the two. (Pretentious, but true!)
While my three companions swooned over the oven roasted fish fillet with Devon crab risotto, poached egg and hollandaise sauce , I had a Major Gastronomic Moment of my own: roast loin of venison, sitting on a perfect circle of rich and unctuous carrot mash that had been wrapped in ribbons of rhubarb, accompanied by baby fondant potatoes and rich venison sauce. (Venison and rhubarb? Trust me, it worked!)
At this stage, none of us really needed pudding – but strictly in the name of research, I persuaded everyone to give it their best shot. Dave went for the mature Cheddar, served with biscuits and a glass of Viognier ; Sue and Kevin shared a slice of “fantastic” lemon tart with vanilla ice cream, and I regressed to the age of six with a colourful, gloopy layering of apple mousse and orange jelly, served with a sticky marshmallow topping in a tall latte glass.
Together with a bottle of Brouilly and our pre-dinner drinks (three pints of Marstons Bitter and a glass of Saint-Veran), our bill came to £118. At just under thirty quid a head for such top-notch (and beautifully presented) cuisine, we reckoned it was worth every penny.
Tables at The George can be booked by calling (01335) 310205. The pub’s offical website is here. Starters from £4 to £8, main courses from £9 to £14, desserts from £4 to £5.
Castle Howard trip
Posted in Out & About, Societies on Sunday May 11, 2008| Leave a Comment »
There are still places available on Tuesday for the trip to Castle Howard. The bus leaves at 8am from the bus shelter on The Green. The forecast looks good, so it will be a wonderful opportunity to explore this magnicent house & gardens.
Contact the blog team
Latest Comments
-
-
-
You can follow @parwichblog on Twitter, and you can also "like" us on Facebook.
-
Recent Posts
PARWICH.ORG 
