In a Manor of speaking

The weather was fine (shock, horror), although there were some rumbles of thunder (that's more like it), the teas were scrumptious (would you expect anything else?) and the Morris Men pranced fit to burst (with hankies a-flutter).

What a fabulous event - the Bishops Offley Garden Party was held in the grounds of The Manor, thanks to the generosity of Sir Brian and Lady Ann Fender, not forgetting the generosity of the donors of prizes, cakes, plants and other goodies as well as all the helpers too who moved furniture, built stalls, served food and drinks and manned the stalls. Plenty of money was raised in aid of Adbaston Parish Church and the Methodist Chapel - a total of £1600!

Of course, there are pics to celebrate the event. Are you on them? Check them out here.

The creature in Jackson's Coppice

On winter mornings, clouds of steam can sometimes be seen rising from Jackson's Coppice. This has always been assumed to be an indication that the dragon is stirring. However, recent research suggests that it may not be a dragon at all, but a Jabberwock. It will be recalled that "the Jabberwock, with eyes of flame, came whiffling through the tulgey wood, and burbled as it came". Jackson's Coppice is clearly a tulgey wood, so we have an appropriate habitat. Identification would seem to depend on whether the creature, whatever it is, burbles while advancing. To date there have been no reports of burbling in Jackson's Coppice, but please post a reply if you have heard any.

Maybe the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust have looked into this? Among their many excellent noticeboards is one which contains the wistful aspiration that there may be otters in Jackson's Marsh, but there is no mention of dragons or Jabberwocks, though they are in the same rank of probability.

If it is a Jabberwock, does anyone have a vorpal sword?