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?

Cats + dogs = events

You can tell it's the time of year for events in Bishops Offley - yep, the heavens have opened and the winds have howled. With two Millennium Green events - Hockey and Cycle Ride - plus Patrick's birthday (Happy birthday to yoooooooo!), it was as certain to bring down the rain as putting out the washing. Still, we know that it'll make the gardens grow (and the lawns need mowing) so that's perhaps a good thing.

Bluebells, girls

Yep, they're up and they're out, dancing their thing in the bluebell woods of Jackson's Coppice. There's something giddy, heady, uplifting about being among so much blue - the scent, the colour, the overpowering feeling of Spring bursting forth, making the most of warmth and moisture. If you've not been up to see them, then waste not a moment.

While you're there, check out the great work of the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust who have put in new gates, signs, paths and made a huge start in bringing the marsh and woodland back to a viable habitat. great job!

Unashamed plug

You know when you stumble across something that's just great value - you have to tell everyone else? Yep - that's what I'm doing here. Get yourself down to the newly opened Star Cafe in High Street, Eccleshall for one of their All-Day Breakfasts. It's probably the best one you'll have had this side of somewhere else.

Blogmaster and his woman ate there heartily the other day, following a night of excess (no details - this is a family blog). The eggs are free range, the bacon lovely and crisp, the black pudding tiny and plentiful, mushrooms, beans, toast .... It's wonderful value, with prices going down from £5.10 for the works. There's even a veggie option.