Blog Archives

Pumpkins!

30/10/2023

So, here's a pumpkin I prepared [grew] earlier!

But why do we have carved out pumpkins at Halloween?

Halloween is based on a Celtic festival called Samhain. It is linked with the ending of the summer and the belief that during Samhain the souls of those who had died that year travelled to the otherworld and that other souls would return to visit their homes. In the 8th century the Roman Catholic Church decided that All Saints Day should fall on the 1st November so that meant All Hallows’ Eve (that is, All Saints Day, or Halloween) fell on October 31st.

Add, then, the combination of pagan and religious beliefs and interpretations into the mix and, surprise, surprise, even more convolution! So, a tradition developed whereby demonic faces were carved out of vegetables – originally turnips – called jack-o’-lanterns. This practise originated from an Irish myth about Stingy Jack, who tricked the Devil for his own monetary gain. The myth elaborated that when Jack died, God would not allow him into heaven, and the Devil wouldn’t allow him into hell, so Jack was sentenced to roam the earth for eternity. It was believed that the carved demonic faces would frighten away Jack’s wandering soul. Therefore, when Irish immigrants moved America, they began carving jack-o’-lanterns from pumpkins, as these were native to the region.

So, now you know!

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Pottering, Planting and Imbibing!

22/10/2023

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Above: Lots of peppers are still ripening in the greenhouse. I grew these from seed and they are deemed to be 'sweet' but some have quite a kick to them too!

Mid-October! ALREADY?! What's going on? It must be getting older... time seems to be whizzing past far too quickly. Either that or the mad world of global warming is just making everything so topsy-turvy (let's not mention the wars and unrest and politics).

I have been 'home alone' over the weekend. Paul received a number of phone calls and texts on Thursday evening to see if he was available to provide cover at some gig / event because the techie meaning to do it had double-booked himself! DOH!! So, after a lot of to-ing and fro-ing and sorting logistics for travel and accommodation, he has spent the past few days in Maidstone, Kent. For the benefit of my friends overseas, this is about 3 hours away – the other side of London, traversing the dreaded M25.

So, it has been a fairly low-key couple of days - and much needed. Although I had a fairly sociable Saturday; after doing a boring 'big shop’ at the supermarket I then caught-up with my Mum and nieces, seeing the ‘new’ house and the recent building work (kitchen and wet room), and then visiting a friend. By time I got home I was ready for just ‘pottering’ about – lovely. Our immediate neighbour then invited me round for drinks and nibbles - that was at 6pm and I left at 9pm, after we put the world to rights whilst also imbibing a few Vodka Martinis! Highly tasty but also highly dangerous; thankfully it is only about ten yards from the neighbours' backdoor to our [only] outside door!! I did actually stagger into the house….!

I did feel a bit fuzzy at various stupid-o’clocks throughout the night but drank a lot of water and have been fine (so far) today. The cloud and early mist cleared to be beautiful sunny day and I was able to enjoy more pottering in the garden and even planted a load of [bought] wall-flowers, sown some sweet-pea seeds as well as gathering up fallen leaves and dead-heading or ‘pruning’ some plants. I like to think that I look like I now what I am doing whilst wielding the secateurs!

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SIGH!

10/10/2023

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I'll fill you in on the significance of this choice of Calvin and Hobbes cartoon at another time, when I can be bothered (!).

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Ancestry

7/10/2023

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Thomas Collins was one of the most important men of Victorian Tewkesbury – and he was one of our ancestors! A full biography can be found at Thomas Collins (tewkesburyhistory.org)
He was baptised in Tewkesbury Abbey on 14th October 1818 and so began a lifelong association with the Abbey, as well as, in adulthood, becoming a significant ‘mover and shaker’ within both the local and wider community. He finished an apprenticeship as a stonemason in 1841 and by 1851 “the census returns describe him as a stonemason employing four men” and by 1861 Collins described himself in the census as a "Builder, employing 64 men and 6 boys" .

At this time one focus for Collins was the restoration of the medieval buildings within the town. ‘In an attempt to make old properties look more modem, many of the timber and brick frontages had been covered with plaster or rough cast facades. Collins recognised the craftsmanship which had gone into the original structures, and he decided to return them to their former glory whenever an opportunity arose’.

This included revealing the Elizabethan framing of his own home, Cross House on the comer of Church Street and Tolsey Lane.

It is therefore coincidental or fitting that my nieces and Mum have recently moved to Cross House and are starting their own restoration project!

It is a Grade II listed building with English Heritage who describe it as “Early C16, but a third storey added in C17, and all extensively restored c1865 by Thomas Collins, the builder/restorer, who used it as his own residence”.

Extensive historic details about the building can be seen at:
CROSS HOUSE, Tewkesbury - 1201228 | Historic England

Historic England also state: “Thomas Collins, the one-time owner and working stone-mason, has been referred to as "... the first important conservator..." in Tewkesbury (VCH), and was engaged in many important works in the town from 1860 onwards - before the major turmoil raised by the 1870's proposals to restore the Abbey. There is no doubt that he saved many important structures from loss through decay or demolition. His work at Cross House was substantial, and it is difficult to see what the original layout may have been; as much as possible of the early work was clearly retained, but it is not clear whether, for instance, the detail of the main lobby is as originally located or not. Collins is commemorated in a prominent memorial in the south transept of the Abbey”.

I think it is safe to say that the current project has a lot to live up to!

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