about suffolk
Summer 2024
Issue Sixteen
Look no further than aboutsuffolk, the local magazine that packs a Suffolk punch!
Pickmeup and take me home!
We turn up the heat in the summer issue and bring you tales of the riverbank from the beautifully tranquil setting of Letheringham Water Mill, enjoy a slice of Broughton Hall’s creamy sheep’s cheese and spin threads of golden hemp with Contemporary Hempery. Artist, Sophie Crockett’s powerful paintings transport us to the rural idyll of her childhood, and we let you in on a few of our favourite places to head to over the holidays. There are ideas for the home and garden, top tips on caring for your lavender, fashion finds, and news of what’s been happening in recent months. We explore the historic market town of Saxmundham and the sights and sounds of Snape Maltings, and you also have a chance to win a Sourdough Cookery Course courtesy of The Food Hub and Acre Bakery worth £135.
Summer is the season for fish and chips on the beach, evening walks and impromptu garden parties, so stock up the fridge, plump up the cushions, and whilst the wine chills, rustle up our showstopping recipe, an insanely delicious carrot cake topped with turmeric yoghurt icing – enjoy!
Kathy & Sarah
Editorial
Kathy Churchill Sales
Sarah Clarke
Designer Lucy Hart
Silverlace Creative
aboutmedia info@aboutmedia.co.uk 01728 666352 www.aboutmedia.co.uk
lucy@silverlacecreative.co.uk www.silverlacecreative.co.uk
Images
Big Fish Photography: www.bigfishphotography.com
E: bigfishphotography@googlemail.com about food page 64
a CookerySourdoughCourse worth £135 Page 62
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out & about who’s about about style about you about interiors about town about time about the land about design about gardens about food about taste round & about
6 Hot picks
Our guide to some of this summer’s hottest tickets.
12 Out and about
A round up of local events.
16 Fashion Fix
New styles for a new season.
20 Health & beauty
Spreading a little magic, sun-kissed nails and celebrating the beauty within.
24 River’s rest
We explore the idyllic setting of the holiday cottages at Letheringham Water Mill.
30 Get the look
Chic ideas for restyling your home.
34 about town
Why High Lodge is aiming high, a new gallery space for Art for Cure, movie magic and Barclay’s new stamp of approval.
36 about time
We take time out in Saxmundham and Snape to explore all they have to offer.
42 The Sax & Snape Edit
A selection of what’s in store for shoppers in Saxmundham and Snape.
46 Spinning gold
How Claire and Kitty are reviving the ancient practice of growing hemp in Suffolk.
52 Ethereal connections
Feeling the power of local artist Sophie Crockett’s nostalgically pastoral paintings.
58 Purple patch
A beginner’s guide to healthy lavender.
62 Competition Time
Your chance to win a Sourdough Cookery Course worth £135.
64 Roll out the barrel
Enjoying a slice of gorgeously creamy sheep’s cheese with Emily from Broughton Hall Dairy.
70 about taste
Recipes for success, for the young and the not so young; at home, online and at coffee time.
72 Carrot cake
With poppy seeds and ginger, with a turmeric yoghurt icing, this is a real showstopper of a cake.
74 Take a walk on the willow-side
An easy riverside amble through the meadows at Wickham Market.
79 Stockists
Where to buy all the lovely stuff!
out & about who’s about about style about you about interiors about town about time about the land about design about gardens about food about taste round & about
what’s about Hot picks
Here are just a few ideas of where to go, what to do, and what to see this summer. We are thoroughly spoilt in Suffolk when it comes to exciting venues and there are some wonderful events happening all across the county, so gather family and friends and grab a ticket, grab a towel and grab a slice of country living.
Starstruck stages
We are so lucky to have two magical woodland settings for watching live theatre.
Theatre in the Forest returns with another madcap adventure from Red Rose Chain. Join them as they journey into a forest full of fairies, magic and whole lot of hilarious mischief for the most enchanting midsummer night at Sutton Hoo! Midsummer Night’s Dream: until 24th August www.redrosechain.com
Thorington Theatre, a bespoke amphitheatre built on the site of a WW2 bomb crater, offers a brilliant summer programme of theatre, comedy, live music and family shows. www.thoringtontheatre.co.uk
Friday Nights & Sunday Afternoons at Camphill
These free, open-to-all events at Flint Vineyard are legendary!
what’s about
Indulge in the finest local street food, sip on Flint wine, and enjoy Ampersand Brew Co beer on tap! Groove to live acoustic tunes, then dance the night away with local bands. Family-friendly and free to attend, it’s the perfect vibe for all. Beat the crowd – arrive early!
Fridays: 16th August & 13th September and Sundays: 4th August & 1st September www.flintvineyard.com
Sky at night
The National Trust is hosting an amazing overnight stargazing event on Orford Ness. Offering some truly wonderful views of the night skies, affected only by the ports of Felixstowe to the South and Rotterdam faintly in the East, this is a unique opportunity to gaze at the myriad of stars
above.
Run by experienced amateur astronomers, you can bring your own scope, binoculars and telescopes or use the equipment provided. Booking essential. Saturday 31st August www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Supper is served
Supper Clubs are springing up all over Suffolk in barns, cow sheds and meadows. Award-winning chef Maria Elia is hosting a series of Summer Supper Clubs at her barn in Clopton, with guest appearances from fellow chefs and always the warmest Mediterranean welcome.
Follow on Instagram to book @mariaelia9
Husk Thorington, run by established chefs
Joey O’Hare and Katy Taylor, run theirs Friday and Saturday nights throughout August and September, serving a creative and delicious seasonal menu. www.huskthorington.co.uk
Acre Farm is hosting a seasonal Supper Club this summer and autumn. Chef and baker Alexander Aitchison will be cooking up a feast over fire for a truly delicious dining experience. www.acrefarm.org
Nature’s calling
There is nothing better than getting out with the family to explore the great outdoors and both RSPB Minsmere and Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s Carlton Marshes run a
fantastic programme of events throughout the summer and autumn. From bug hunting to wildlife walks, pond dipping to safaris and bats and biofluorescence, there is much to entertain your budding Attenboroughs.
www.rspb.org.uk
www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org
Wild waters
Go wild in water this summer and try dipping more than just your toe!
Great river spots for a dip are Fen Bridge on the River Stour at Dedham – just watch out for passing paddleboarders - the scenic two-mile loop of the River Waveney around Outney Common near Bungay which offers long stetches of clear deep water, and Ufford Hole on the River Deben, just down from the pub so you can pop in for a pint afterwards.
August:
Until 11th:
Dreams on a summer’s night
A new exhibition of interiors and seascapes by Swedish artist Brita Granström. Thompson’s Gallery, Aldeburgh
Until 1st Sept:
Summer Contemporary
An ambitious exhibition of work by over 100 contemporary artists. Snape Maltings
Until Apr 2025: An Eye for Life
Exhibition by acclaimed photographer John Ferguson celebrating portraiture, identity, and home. Christchurch Mansion
3rd: Black Shuck Festival
An evening of Folk Horror movies: excerpts from cult classics and recent cutting-edge shorts from independent directors. Fishers Theatre, Bungay
4th:
Festival of Classic & Sports Cars
A classic day out with over 1000 cars, craft and trade stalls and live music. Helmingham Hall
5th-10th: Framlingham Tennis Tournament
The oldest UK tennis tournament after Wimbledon, great fun for all the family. Framlingham College
7th-17th:
Good Morning Bill
A dazzlingly written, fast-paced, 1920s romantic comedy by P.G.Wodehouse. Southwold Arts Centre
8th:
Beryl & Clive (Their Musical)
A comedy show about a quirky couple who defy social conventions and family expectations. The Cut, Halesworth
16th-18th: FolkEast
Fill your boots with music, food, ale, art, with family and friends for three toe-tappin’ days at Glemham Hall
17th:
Come and Sing Disney
Raise your voice with uplifting songs from your favourite Disney films from Britten Pears Chamber Choir. Snape Maltings
17th: Venice: Through Artists’ Eyes
From the classic vistas to the small and quirky details that make Venice such a joy for the eyes and soul. Thompson’s Gallery
17th-19th: Aldeburgh Carnival
A grand three days out by the seaside with a lantern procession, floats, live music and family fun and games
18th: Classic Car Show
An awesome collection of classic cars and motorcycles converge at Stonham Barns Park
22nd & 29th: Midsummer Nights
Enjoy ‘golden hour’ exploring the beautiful gardens, with live music and feast over fire. Helmingham Hall
September :
13th-18th:
Sex & Death in Southwold
Yet another dodgy farce stuffed with off-colour jokes and blatantly ripped off from the work of a real playwright! Southwold Arts Centre
14th: Harvest Fair
Food, drink, music and film from local producers. Woodbridge Community Hall 10am-4pm
15th:
26th: Whitney
- Queen of the Night
11th-13th: WAMFest
An evening with Graham Norton
The nation’s favourite talk show host and author takes to the road with a brand-new tour. Ipswich Corn Exchange
15th:
Autumn Plant Fair
An exciting day out for experienced and novice gardeners alike at Helmingham Hall Gardens
22nd:
Honey & The Bear
A tour de force on the UK Folk Festival circuit, they delicately interweave vocal harmonies with emotive and evocative songwriting. The Riverside, Woodbridge
24th-26th Oct:
The Deep
As night turns into day over the ice-cold waters of the North Sea, a young fisherman finds his boat sinking. Eastern Angles on tour
Direct from the West End, this is a celebration of the music and life of one of the greatest singers of all time. The Regent, Ipswich
27th: The Ciderhouse Rebellion
Profound and eloquent, epic, haunting and dramatic, they are masters of improvisation. Wingfield Barns
28th: Flipside Festival
A one-day literary festival with Toby Jones as the featured speaker. The Old Theatre, Framlingham
October:
5th: Ben Elton: Authentic Stupidity
The undisputed godfather of modern stand-up is going back on the road with his new show. Ipswich Corn Exchange
6th &10th:
Ghost of the Toll Point Light
A good old-fashioned ghost story from the ever-popular, Common Ground Theatre. Wingfield Barns and The Cut, Halesworth
A festival for women celebrating women by women about women in the lovely seaside resort of Felixstowe
13th: Photography Workshop
Explore Sutton Hoo by camera lens and discover top tips from professional photographer Phil Morley. Sutton Hoo 10.30am
16th: Minsmere Sunset Stroll
Experience Minsmere at the best time of day as the sun sets above the reeds. Start 4.30pm
25th: Hannah Scott
Stories that elicit profound personal reactions from the performing, Hannah has become a consummate storyteller. Wingfield Barns
26th: Orford Ness Tour
Explore Orford Ness from the comfort of the passenger trailer on a half-day tour with the National Trust
26th: The Pretenders
Touring with their latest album ‘Relentless’, The Pretenders take to the stage. The Regent, Ipswich
Fashion fix
4. Stunning floral dress
Vilagallo @ Darcy B
£185
5. Beautiful jewellery Drift
6. Hermaline sandals collen & clare
£35
1. Genuins clogs Anna £65
2. Toxic wide leg jean Boho & Blyth £47.95
3. Cosy hoodie Barbour @ Ernest Doe £79.95
7. Natural World Platform Plimsoles Joli
dress
Odile Collective @ Matisa Market
£115
9. Sorena tote Mea Boutique
10. Gemstone shell charms Mixologems from £70
11. Summer styles Moose
Part Two @ O&C Butcher
£29.95
WYSE
£165
8. White broderie anglaise
12. Sadika sunglasses
13. Fun fashion Ruby Tyger
14. Gingham blouse
Pop-up Southwold
Spread a little magic about you
It’s always lovely to find exciting local products, and at the Suffolk Show this year we discovered Massagical, a skincare range made with freshly picked elderflower and locally grown rapeseed oil, blended to cleanse, exfoliate, nourish and replenish your skin. Based in Peasenhall, the range includes balms, oils, bars, and its hero products, Massagical Gold Salt Scrub (£15) and Massagical Cream (£15). This is a brilliant duo; the Himalayan rock salt in the scrub gently exfoliates hands, feet and problem areas, whilst the cream soothes and uplifts, leaving your skin silky soft and smelling like a summer’s afternoon. www.massagical.co.uk
Free the soul
Immerse yourself in a weekend of connection, workshops, yoga and street inspired food and music at the Indian Summer Festival. Held over the weekend of 21st-22nd September at Flint Hall, Creeting St Peter - Suffolk’s newest venue for weddings, parties, retreats and festivals – go for the day or embrace the vibe and camp overnight. Incredible musicians will be performing throughout the weekend, and the kids’ corner, packed with activities, den building, nature-inspired play and much more, means all ages can find their tribe.
A great way to nourish your mind, body and soul in a beautiful outdoor setting where you can feel the earth beneath your feet and the sun on your skin. See Instagram @flinthalleventssuffolk for details and tickets.
Shades of summer
The 2024 OPI Summer Collection is here to celebrate self-expression with a bold new palette. The My Me Era shades include Dream Come Blue – a dreamy cobalt blue, Midnight Snacc - a gorgeous dark green, I Can Buy Myself Violets - a bold violet, and our favourite, Feelin’ Fire - a fiery orange. Energising and bright, these nail colours will help you shine all summer long.
Available from The Retreat Beauty Salon, Framlingham
Education with heart
Are you disenchanted with mainstream education only offering one-size-fits-all? If the answer is yes, you might be interested in a method of teaching that honours the individuality of each child and prioritises life-skills, as well as intellectual, emotional, social and physical growth. ReNaturing, based at the Sinfield Nature Reserve just outside Woodbridge, is a non-profit Community Interest Company offering developmental programmes and workshops for children, adults, families and groups.
This September, they are expanding their education provision to three days a week with a curriculum that inspires a love of learning: covering core and broader subjects in a meaningful, creative and practical way. If you are curious about an educational journey that meets your child’s needs more fully, visit the website for more details. www.renaturing.co.uk
interiors
River’s rest about
Nestled on the banks of the River Deben, Letheringham Water Mill has been lovingly transformed into a series of contemporary, dogfriendly holiday cottages where, if you are lucky, breakfast on the deck is rewarded with the glimpse of a darting kingfisher or a pair of swans elegantly escorting their ungainly brood through the reeds.
I am greeted at the gate by owner Jacqui and her gorgeous gang of Labradoodles, Teddy, Amber and Lola, who give me an enthusiastic welcome, finally flopping at our feet as we take a seat on the patio. It is a magical setting, the traditional white timber-clad buildings framed by towering weeping willows that sway in time to the gentle rippling of the river, and seven acres of landscaped gardens and grounds that offer hidden corners and picturesque spots in which to unwind and appreciate the beauty of nature. Listed in the Domesday Book in 1086, Letheringham Water Mill was only
decommissioned in the late 1960s and remained empty until Jacqui and her late husband Richard bought it in 2012 and spent two years converting the outbuildings and original watermill into four beautifully curated holiday cottages that offer guests a very special riverside retreat.
“There is a real sense of history here. During the renovation we discovered the remains of several bodies that we think were labourers who would have been buried where they fell, and it holds the secrets of a terrible double murder. Father and son, both named John
create a warm and inviting ambiance. “I want people to turn up and feel that everything they need is here. They are all equipped with fully functional kitchens, comfortable living areas, and luxurious bedrooms, ensuring guests have a relaxing stay.” And it’s not just the guests, dogs are given extra special treatment too. I spot a welcome pack containing dog towels, blankets and treats and sumptuous dog beds plumped in anticipation of the next arrivals. All of the cottages take full advantage of their unique location, with decks looking out across the gently meandering river to the water meadows beyond; the perfect spot for unwinding with a glass of wine after a day exploring the local area. Jacqui has recently completed the refurbishment of her own home, Mill House, so that this too can be let, and with its funky retro kitchen, huge sitting about interiors
Bullard, were murdered by their employer, the miller Jonah Snell, who was subsequently tried at Wickham Market and hanged, his body being displayed at Potsford Gibbet as a warning to others plotting dark deeds.” Although no trace of this gruesome crime remains, the original structure of the water mill has been meticulously preserved and the conversion is hugely mindful of the original footprint that made its mark here nearly a thousand years ago. Under Jacqui’s watchful eye, everything, including the stunning landscaped gardens and manicured lawns, is maintained to her very high standards and it is therefore no surprise that the mill has been awarded 5 stars for excellence and was a finalist in the Dog-Friendly Awards in 2022.
The cottages effortlessly blend traditional elements with contemporary touches to
room and four bedrooms, including one on the ground floor complete with a fully equipped disability suite, it makes an ideal destination for families or groups of friends.
The surrounding grounds encompass two acres of landscaped gardens, with steps leading to tranquil terraces, rose scented walkways and secret seating areas, dotted throughout with interesting sculptures, including one of Paul Richardson’s distinctive steel sycamore seeds. On either side of the river, there are another five acres of meadows and natural woodland to explore, with winding mown pathways where the dogs can roam freely as you take an evening stroll, and strategically placed benches by the riverbank where a quiet moment of reflection might just reward you with a rare sighting of the otters who also call this place home. “There are no
rules here. We just want everyone to feel relaxed and to leave the stresses of everyday life behind.” It really is a very special place to stay. And whether you come by yourself, with your four-legged friend, or with a larger group, one thing is certain, you will all receive the warmest of welcomes.
Right on cue, two energetic Poodle-crosses bound into sight and are noisily greeted by Ted, Amber and Lola. The owners appear out of their cottage, but Jacqui quickly puts them at ease and soon the dogs are gambolling across the lawn together. Across the slipway, an ageing labrador raises its head, reviews the situation and then slumps back down again. Maybe it is true that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks!
www.letheringhammill.co.uk
1. Mustard Mono rug Pappelina @ Vanil from £399
2. Vintage treasures
Swan House & Garden
3. Brooklyn dome light Rooms with a View £89 4. Funky crab tray Woodbridge Kitchen Company £10.99
Botanical Indulgence
Bespoke handmade
7. Neon candle holders collated
£13
8. Colourful beach towels
Dock and Bay @ Barretts
9. Vintage glassware The Majestic Hare
10. Origami bird light Narwhal Interiors
£99
11. Japanese ‘80s sushi platter No1 East Lane
£35
12. Stacking picnic tumblers Woodbridge Kitchen Company
£16 for 4
14. Handmade tray table Layer Tree
£357
13. Teak mid-century coffee table Red Eyed Dove
Cinema greats
Three of our wonderful independent cinemas are offering an action-packed programme this summer, along with special events and Oscar winning performances.
Aldeburgh Cinema is launching a new season for film fans of all ages that evokes the classic appeal of Saturday nights at the movies. SATURDAY NIGHT SIDES will feature movies that might be old or new, classic or cult, funny or fantasy, including Thelma and Louise, Taxi Driver and Wild at Heart.
The Riverside, Woodbridge is offering more than just popcorn and ice-cream with its Movie and Meal deal. For just £19pp you can enjoy twocourses in the restaurant before taking your seat – and your glass of wine – to watch the summer’s latest hits.
Leiston Film Theatre, Suffolk’s oldest cinema, continues to offer a brilliant summer programme for all ages. And, to celebrate its 110th anniversary, it is welcoming some special events to the stage this October, including the amazing Dayglo Indydarc UV Puppet Show, Wayne Burns’ latest show, and the Swing Machine Big Band.
Art for Cure has just launched its own permanent online gallery. Offering a stunning collection of contemporary art from over 30 of its best-selling artists, ceramicists and sculptors, up to 50% of sales is being donated to the charity, which has currently raised over £1.3million for breast cancer research. You can also buy Gift Vouchers for weddings or special occasions, allowing the lucky recipient to then choose their own treasured artwork, plus you have the opportunity to collect the piece in person from the artist’s studio and learn more about the creative process behind its making.
New artists will be added every month so make sure you keep an eye on the gallery for some inspiring artwork to grace your walls.
www.artforcure.org.uk
Cheque’s in the post
Framlingham Post Office has just announced that Barclays will be opening a branch in what was the old sorting office to the rear of the shop. After initially popping up at The Crown Hotel, Barclays will now have a permanent base in Framlingham, and although you will not be able to withdraw or deposit cash, staff will be on hand to help with queries involving money management and their products and services. Entrance will be through the newly painted blue door to the front which will be opening very soon.
Aiming high
Huge congratulations to High Lodge who has just won ‘Best Event Venue’ for Suffolk and Cambridgeshire in the 2024 Muddy Stilettos Regional Awards. Widely recognised as the most coveted awards for independent lifestyle businesses, High Lodge is thrilled to take top spot in its category, and Managing Director Jane Coppen and Head of Events Caroline Donsworth recently attended the presentation in Bury St Edmunds.
If you are looking for a stylish destination for an activity break, a place to escape and unwind, or to host an event then look no further. Within easy reach of Southwold and Aldeburgh and open to all, you can enjoy clay pigeon shooting practice grounds and shooting school, fishing lakes, air rifle ranges or archery activity sessions, and a delicious breakfast, lunch or coffee and homemade cake in their café, currently open Monday to Saturday. www.highlodge.co.uk
about time
about time in ...
Saxmundham & Snape
Less than 15 minutes to the coast and surrounded by glorious rolling countryside and leafy lanes, Saxmundham is an historic market town that is full of surprising discoveries and a vibrant arts scene. Music is at the heart of Snape, its near neighbour; a village with more than its fair share of pubs, and the most beautiful setting for the world-class concert hall that has celebrated music and the arts for over 55 years. Combined, Saxmundham and Snape make for a great sensory day out.
time for a coffee!
Who doesn’t love a coffee and a pastry and now you can enjoy one in the Black Dog Deli Saxmundham, the latest café to be opened and run by the team behind this awardwinning brand. Just out of town at Maple Farm in Kelsale, you’ll discover Pinch, a gorgeous café serving the most delicious coffee and crullers, a cloud-like doughnut made of deep-fried choux pastry. Be warned, once you’ve taken the first bite you’ll be hooked!
You can’t beat the River View Café at Snape Maltings for the view overlooking the reedbeds of the River Alde, it’s breathtaking and ever changing with the seasons. If you’re after a traditional fry-up with your coffee, both Jinny’s at the Corner Café in Saxmundham and Friday St Café, a short drive out of town, are popular choices with the locals. about time
time for a browse!
Having admired the impressive entrance to The Art Station, a unique arts and community venue, have your shopping bags at the ready for The Store Housed in a Grade II listed building, you’ll find a lovely mix of men’s & womenswear, homeware, accessories and gifts. For more practical items, revel at the extraordinary range at Fisher’s Hardware, a family business that’s been in the town for generations and sells everything from paint to polytunnels! If you’re going ‘all out’ at home, pop into Cotton Tree Interiors to make an appointment for an interior design consultation; their beautiful window display will definitely catch your eye. Tucked behind the High St in Fromus Square is East of Eden, a magnet for locals and visitors alike, drawn to its beautifully curated selection of ceramics, lighting, soft furnishings, jewellery and gifts; many made by hand in small batches by independent makers.
time for a browse!
Jackey L Jewellers may well look like one of the tiniest shops on the High St, but step inside to discover a stunning range of jewellery, from a traditional set of pearls to a Suffolk Punch brooch! Equally Tardis like is The George Farnham Gallery, its walls and cabinets decorated with local artists’ work. Finishing up at the other end of the High St, be wowed by the windows at Bethany Rose Florist, which light up the town with stunning floral arrangements befitting the West End. Snape Maltings is home to a fabulous collection of independent shops, with seasonal ranges of carefully selected homeware, furniture, clothing, ceramics, plants, arts & crafts, Suffolk food and drink, plants and musical instruments! It’s worth factoring in a few hours as there’s so much to see.
time for dinner
The Bell Hotel is at the heart of Saxmundham and is a beautifully restored former coaching inn with a fine restaurant. It has a great seasonal menu; from fresh North Sea cod and mussels to wild game, Suffolk rare breed beef and pork to locally grown seasonal vegetables, so expect fine dining at its best. For a mouthwatering takeaway option, indulge in a gyros from Greek Pita; made with local beef, pork or chicken, or giant beans for a veggie treat. Just outside town in Kelsale, and an easy walk along the footpaths from the centre, is the Poacher’s Pocket, a fabulous pub that is always humming with contented locals tucking into tasty homemade fare. Their burgers are to die for!
If you’re seeking ingredients for a mid-week treat, call into the butchers on the High St for locally reared meat to pair with freshly dug organic vegetables from Maple Farm, Kelsale or a veg box selection from Railway Farm Shop. Fish gets no fresher than from Maximus Fish at Friday St Farm Shop, where you’ll also find everything you need to finesse the dish before raising a toast to Suffolk produce.
about time
The Artisan Market
2nd Saturday of the month, held at The Market Hall and on Fromus Square.
A trip to the Suffolk Escape Room at Wardspring Farm. Step inside the unique location of original war time Nissen Huts and see if you can crack the code and escape within the 60 minutes allowed… www.suffolkescaperoom.co.uk
A visit to Tower Plants, tucked away down Rosemary Lane. Set against the backdrop of Skoulding’s Mill, a Grade II listed tower mill, to admire its stature is reason enough to call in, but then again, there’s always room for just one more plant …
An activity day for children at The Art Station
31st July, 1st, 2nd & 7th August. Inspired by its current exhibition, THREAD COUNT, they’ll enjoy creative making and movement. For more details visit www.theartstation.uk
Summer Contemporary at Snape Maltings
Held annually, this year’s exhibition is its most ambitious yet, with over 100 artists taking part, and celebrates artworks in a variety of mediums and disciplines with a strong Suffolk connection. From 20th July until 1st September. www.brittenpearsarts.org
Sax Music Fest
Held over two days and with headliners, Definitely Could Be Oasis, and Take That tribute, Rule the World, plus everything from folk to rock, head on over to Memorial Field from midday onwards to bag your spot. Friday 9th & Saturday 10th August. www.saxcommunityfest.co.uk
The Saxmundham &
4. Inspired interiors The Cotton Tree
5. Striped tote East of Eden £32
6. Kilner jar selection Fishers Home Hardware from £6.25
Snape Edit
1. Mii makeup range Angels Beauty Clinic
2. Vintage collectibles the barn.co
3. Black Halfdan stoneware vase Bethany Rose Florist
7. Artistic collection The George Farnham Gallery
8. Stunning gems Jackey L Jewellers
9. Enamel homeware Falcon @ Pinch
10. Shades of summer Ray Ban @ Jeffery & Associates Opticians
11. Summer dining Snape Maltings
12. Hot fashion The Store
SHOP OPENING HOURS
Mon-Sat: 8:30am-5:30pm Sun: 9am-5pm
KITCHEN OPENING HOURS Daily: 8:30am-5:00pm
about the land
Spinning gold
Passionate hemp enthusiast, Claire O’Sullivan, and well-travelled textile artist, Kitty Wilson Brown, have embarked on a mission to revive the ancient practice of growing hemp for fibre in Suffolk. Working together as Contemporary Hempery, I go looking for them amongst the swaying rows of hemp that they are growing at Wakelyns.
They are not hard to spot! Kitty is a vision of bright multicoloured prints whilst Claire sports a neon pink sun hat, and both radiate a warmth and generosity of spirit that is hard to ignore. They formed Contemporary Hempery through their shared appreciation for sustainable agriculture and a keen interest in traditional textiles, and integrating hemp cultivation into the agroforestry system at Wakelyns could not be a better fit. The varieties of hemp (Cannabis Sativa) they grow are Futura 75 and Santhica 27, both specialist fibre varieties, and they are one of only 130 licenced growers in the UK, many of whom
will only be cultivating the hemp for its oil or as a biocomposite to be used by the building industry as an innovative material for construction and insulation.
Claire and Kitty currently have just under three acres in production and their journey as growers has been a fusion of modern knowledge and ancient wisdom. “We knew nothing when we first started but luckily hemp is easy to grow and well suited to Suffolk’s temperate climate and fertile soil. We planted our first rows in 2022 and were amazed by how quickly it grew. The
growing season is short, only May to August, but come harvest the long thin stems and dense foliage towered over us. It was incredible.” Part of their vision was also to work as part of a community and to reconnect people with the land, and so in August last year they ran their first Harvest Retreat, inviting people to gather at Wakelyns to harvest and process the hemp. “An important part of our project is to revive the traditional skills of pre-mechanised agriculture in the Waveney Valley. Harvesting, retting, heckling and scrutching the plant by hand with the same tools our forebears would have used has been such a great experience.”
It is wonderful to hear these forgotten agricultural terms, ones that would have once played such an important part of
everyday life here in Suffolk. The hemp is harvested by hand and left to dry in standing stooks before the bundles are soaked in water (retted) which helps to break down the fibres. The stalks then undergo breaking and scrutching, which in layman’s terms means bashing the stalks so that the fibres are decorticated and separated from the woody core. They are then heckled, which involves drawing the fibres through teethed combs - aptly made from horseshoe nails – before finally being hit with heavy hammers. “The whole process is very physical, but it is all about breaking down the fibres to soften them so that they can be spun into fine golden threads to be woven into durable, beautiful fabrics.”
Claire and Kitty do indeed seem to be
spinning gold from straw, but unlike Rumpelstiltskin they are not motivated by greed, but rather by a desire to reconnect with ancient traditions and to rediscover the importance of hemp as a sustainable cloth in the fashion industry and restoring this incredible plant fibre to its rightful place in every considered wardrobe. Kitty graduated in 2021, and then in 2023 spend five months in S.E. Asia researching traditional textiles, visiting ethnic minority communities and working with the Hmong hill tribes of Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia, who specialise in hemp cultivation, using the threads to create their traditional costumes. “They were so kind and generous, happily sharing their knowledge, teaching me about the plants they grow to make the natural dyes and how to use the weaving looms. It was invaluable and I am thrilled to be
putting all that they taught me into practice. This year I am planting a natural dye garden here at Wakelyns so that we can also experiment with colour.”
Contemporary Hempery is a powerful example of how passion, knowledge and a commitment to sustainability can bring about positive change. By reviving the ancient practice of hemp cultivation in Suffolk, they have not only contributed to the region’s agricultural heritage but also provided a blueprint for sustainable farming in the modern world. Claire and Kitty’s story is a reminder that sometimes, the answers to our most pressing environmental challenges can be found by looking to the past.
Harvest Retreat: 23rd-25th August www.contemporaryhempery.com
HAPPI DAYS RENDLESHAM
Base Business Park, Unit 11 America House, Rendlesham, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 2TW
Office: 01394 420468
HAPPI DAYS MARTLESHAM
19 Gloster Road, Martlesham Heath, Suffolk, IP5 3RB
Office: 01473 623661
Email: bookings@happidayscentre.co.uk www.happidayscentre.co.uk
Here at Happi Days, we just love dogs and our new massive outdoor play area of 551 m2 and new indoor play hall of 185 m2 are prepared for all weathers. Unlike anything else in Suffolk, our new hall is dedicated to our super friendly well socialised medium and larger, more energetic dogs to run and play in. We have liberally indulged in quantities of children’s quality play equipment from our play castle and our little tykes climbing frames to the dog agility cubes and climbers, and not forgetting the toddler ramps and playground slides.
We are offering an outing day, whereby your dogs can spend their day at our large Rendlesham creche and newly fitted out play hall, you can still enjoy the convenience of a Martlesham drop off and pick up. You are welcome to book this Adventure Day for £27.00 which includes the woodland walk, the taxi service to a day of day care at Rendlesham, and your usual convenience of drop off and collection at Martlesham. A member of staff that your dog currently knows will be travelling and staying with it at Rendlesham, as staff to dog ratios and keeping your dogs settled are of upmost importance. Our private wooded area has 6 foot fencing and a van airlock, and the dogs run in their friends’ groups from creche, so all arrive together and know each other.
We also offer this day of adventure to the smaller, more timid and elderly dogs, with quieter calmer groups and more snuggle rooms at our larger Rendlesham centre.
Adventure Days are tailored to the individual needs of all your dogs. Lively dogs, elderly dogs, puppies and sleepy dogs will all enjoy exploring the woods and a new creche. We group dogs by temperament at Rendlesham as well as Martlesham, so there’s always the perfect environment for your dogs to socialise and play, or just relax!
about design
Sophie Crockett’s paintings are a deeply personal narrative of a childhood rooted in the Suffolk countryside, cycling barefoot through the lanes, scrumping apples, and finding comfort in the velvety muzzle of a favourite pony. They are strikingly beautiful and have a mythical quality that seeks to reconnect us to the land and to the ancient traditions that seem so long forgotten.
Sophie grew up on a small farm in Cretingham surrounded by animals and the reassuring traditions of its rural community. It was a time when children felt a sense of freedom and there was a slight recklessness to summer afternoons climbing hay bales or fishing for eels by the river. Inherently creative, Sophie studied Drama at college, before travelling independently across Europe to Armenia and Russia, where she worked alongside her father for a few years. It was only on her return to Suffolk that she took up art, teaching herself to paint with
oils by practising portraiture. “I am not afraid to give things a go, a trait inherited from my father who spent five years sailing around the world and is a true adventurer. Painting allows me to articulate the loss I feel for the simpler life of my childhood, an inner loss that possibly we all feel and grieve for.”
Sophie’s artistic process is driven by a yearning for connection - not only to the land but also to the rich tapestry of human myth and legend. She sees her work as a bridge between the tangible and the intangible, the
about design
physical world and the stories that have been passed down through generations. Her canvases depict graspable forms that evoke these myths, blending the real and the fantastical in a seamless narrative. Through her art, Sophie seeks to understand and articulate the beauty and conflicts inherent in these stories, exploring themes of love, loss, heroism, and the eternal struggle between good and evil. “It’s my attempt at a visual metaphor: part loss, part dream, where I reach back into the past to try and grab a few seeds to scatter, like symbols, over the encroaching concrete and fences we’re all squeezed behind.”
A recurring motif in Sophie’s work is the horse, an animal that has fascinated her since childhood. Horses, with their grace, strength and enduring presence in human history and myth, have often been used in
the artistic world to symbolise freedom and a deep connection to nature. In her own paintings, they often appear as central figures, embodying the spirit of the legends she seeks to portray. “I’m not scared of looking for beauty. I had a childhood in Suffolk that seems a million miles away now. Stealing conkers from the churchyard; the first kitten from the farm cat’s nest; oak tree kingdoms climbed from verges covered in cowslips; harvest festivals; fishing boats on the beaches; and the burning of stubble on 10-acre farms.” These memories, interwoven into her storytelling, resonate strongly with those who have shared similar experiences, and it is this that makes her paintings so powerful.
In a recent exhibition at The Ballroom Arts Gallery in Aldeburgh entitled ‘Suffolk Harvest’, Sophie shared the space with her
father, Mike Crockett, who only took up the paintbrush ten years ago. A sailor at heart, Mike’s work is influenced by the sea and the cultures of traditional fishing communities.
“Suffolk, her skies, her sea and her estuaries have stayed with me all my life, even when, as often, I have been on the other side of the world.” A natural colourist, his paintings of fishermen hauling nets and small fleets heading out to sea draw heavily on the experiences of his life and have a wonderful naivety to them. They are perfectly complemented by Sophie’s paintings of pastoral scenes, ones that evoke the PreRaphaelite ideology of depicting subjects that belong to mythology, religion and poetry, and both emphasise the feeling of lost figures in the landscapes of today’s world, now heavily dominated by machinery and technology.
Sophie’s paintings are a vivid portrayal of an inner world that has been shaped by the landscapes, stories and animals which have inspired her throughout her life. Through her art, she seeks to make sense of the world around her and her place within it, finding solace and meaning in the act of creation, and she invites us to embark on a journey through her eyes, to experience the beauty and conflicts she sees, and to find our own connections to the land, the legends, and the myths that define human existence.
Sophie will be exhibiting at the Summer Contemporary Exhibition at Snape Maltings.
www.sdcrockett.co.uk www.mikecrockettart.com
about gardens
Purple patch
Lavender is in full flower right now, scenting the air with its distinctive aromatic perfume on every passing touch. Best known and most widely grown in the UK are English lavender, which has mauve cone-shaped flowers dancing on long thin stems, and French lavender, distinguished by its stout, deep purple flowers that wear a little topknot of longer petals, often referred to as bunny ears!
A summer garden essential, lavender is generally an easy, low maintenance plant to grow. It loves the sun, and the English variety looks fabulous planted in drifts along pathways or at the front of borders to form a bank of colour. However, regular pruning is essential if you want it to stay healthy and live longer so it’s best to trim them every year in late summer, just after flowering has finished. The more tender French varieties flower earlier in the season, whilst the hardier English lavender will not finish flowering until August, early September and
left unchecked can become woody, with fewer flowers and long thin stems.
After flowering, don’t wait for the seed heads to form or the flowers to turn brown as you want to allow the maximum amount of time for regrowth before winter. Remove the flower heads and cut back this year’s new green growth to just above the buds, where new shoots are starting to sprout from the lower woody material – do not cut back to the old wood as it will not regrow from there. If necessary, continue to deadhead, and a gentle prune in early spring will help with the shape and keep them compact.
Pruned regularly you will get to enjoy an abundance of these delightfully fragrant flowers every summer, as well as being able to watch the butterflies and bees who also find then irresistible. And, if you have trouble sleeping, try picking a few stems to crush and pop under your pillow to ensure a calm, restful night.
Changing gear
August arrives and the garden slows; the grass browns and leaves curl, but the borders are still putting on a show, full of riotous, hot colours to admire whilst you soak up the sun. Dahlias, the diva of the gardening world, bring drama with their wonderful array of shapes and sizes, zinnias pop against their darker foliage, lilies and cosmos nod to the beat of the midday sun, and spiky echinops stand aloof to the rear. Watering becomes part of the daily routine, and as you wander, pause to take it all in and make a note of your favourite colour combinations and planting schemes for next year’s planning.
September brings with it a mellowness and a gentle easing into autumn. Colours fade and petals start to drop. Misty mornings roll in, leaving silver droplets along gossamer threads that span from stem to stem and evening walks leave dew drenched footsteps
Tales from the potting shed
August
Pinch out tomatoes
Deadhead perennials
Prune climbing roses
in your wake. Now is the time to prune your climbing roses and cut back spent annuals, dig over the still warm soil to make a bed for your spring bulbs, and pick the plumpest hydrangea heads for drying. The vegetable patch is also ripe for picking so supper is easily sorted.
With its autumn palette and clear blue skies, October is a busy month in the garden as you race to beat the first frost and ready the borders for winter. Half-hardy plants need protecting so either wrap them in fleece or bring inside to the safety of the greenhouse. Beds can be cleared, and herbaceous perennials such as agapanthus, iris, geranium, euphorbia and ornamental grasses should be divided to ensure healthy, vigorous plants next year. If you still have a glut of vegetables, set to pickling and preserving, stocking your pantry with jars of delicious jams and chutneys that will be more than welcomed at the Christmas table.
September
Scarify lawns
Plant spring bulbs
Prune lavenders
October
Deadhead roses
Divide perennials
Lift dahlia tubers
Competition!
Win a Sourdough Cookery Course at The Food Hub Cookery School
We are delighted to have teamed up with The Food Hub Cookery School and Acre Bakery to offer you the chance to win a place on a Sourdough Cookery Class on Saturday 9th November worth £135. This sourdough course will take you on a journey through the basics of bread baking, including understanding the sourdough starter, making the dough, and baking the perfect loaf. Led by Alexander, the microbaker from Acre Bakery, he will teach you the secret to creating delicious, crusty sourdough bread using only three ingredients - wild farmed flour, water, and salt – along with the sourdough starter.
During the day, you will learn how to create a range of breads, from classic sourdough loaves to sweet and savoury breads. You will also learn how to shape your dough and bake it to perfection in their newly handcrafted wood-fired oven. The prize includes all ingredients, refreshments, and a light lunch. You will also take home your very own sourdough starter, lame and dough scraper, plus a cane banneton to prove your bread in before you bake it. www.foodhubsuffolk.co.uk
Bread-making SourdoughLunchcourseincluded starter to take home
For your chance of winning this fabulous prize, please answer the following question correctly:
Q: How many ingredients are needed to make your sourdough?
Send your answer to prize@ aboutfram.com quoting Sourdough in the subject header.
The competition closes at 23.59 hours on 20th October 2024.
Roll out the barrel about food
Emily Tydeman from Broughton Hall Dairy is currently the only producer in Suffolk making artisan cheese from locally sourced fresh sheep’s milk. Now in her second year of production, we visit the family farm in Stonham Aspal to sample a slice of this deliciously creamy cheese and to discover how it all began.
Emily and her husband Sam met whilst working as land agents for a company in York, but, after feeling the pull of the Suffolk soil, in 2013 they moved to Stonham Aspal so Sam could take up a position working alongside his father and brother-in law on the farm. The farm has been in the Tydeman family for over 100 years and, although originally a pig farm, the focus has now turned towards more regenerative, low input, minimum tillage practices. Whilst Sam busied himself on the land, Emily carried on with her career, working as a land agent for The National Trust. “It was
such an interesting role and a great introduction to Suffolk as I managed estates across Orford, Dunwich and Sutton Hoo. We had three young children at the time so although work and family life is always tricky to balance, it was very rewarding.”
Emily’s decision to swap from land agent to cheesemaker arose out of the pandemic, when, like most people, she was forced to work from home and experienced firsthand the benefits this offered family life. “I loved being part of the farming day, of being able to drop and pick up the children, even if this
meant working late to catch up, and I relished every challenge.” Supper table discussions about diversification and the possibility of introducing a flock of sheep to Broughton Hall led Emily to look at whether they could use the milk for cheese. “I enrolled on a two-day cheesemaking course at The School of Artisan Food at the Welbeck Estate in Nottingham. It was fascinating and made me think the idea was worth exploring further. I managed to get a job working one day a week with Suffolk Farmhouse Cheeses which gave me invaluable experience and started experimenting with making small batches of cheese on the hob in my kitchen.”
Emily’s passion and cheesemaking skills continued to grow and, after discovering that there was no Suffolk sheep’s cheese on the market, she approached Neal’s Yard to
see if they would be interested. “The response was so positive that it gave me the confidence to take things to the next level. By this time, we had ruled out having our own flock, but I found a reliable supply of quality milk from a local sheep farmer who was keen to utilise this untapped resource. We converted one of the old pig sheds into a production unit and I immersed myself in the art and science of cheesemaking.” Her diligence paid off as in July 2023 Neal’s Yard placed their first order of ‘Pyghtle’, her handcrafted lactic cheese that is named after an old Suffolk word for a small land enclosure.
As we take a tour of the cheese room, Emily explains the process. The milk is warmed to 22°C before adding a bacterial starter culture. It is left to ripen for 12 hours and if the PH level is correct, a vegetarian rennet
is then added, which causes the milk to thicken into a blancmange-like curd. This is ladled into tube-shaped moulds so the whey can drain away and after another 24 hours, the barrels are taken out of the moulds and laid on draining mats and salted. They then spend two weeks in the chiller, during which time they develop their distinctive crinkly rind, before being wrapped and sent out to stockists, which, locally, include Leo’s Deli, Friday Street Farm Shop and Alder Carr Farm. This may sound straightforward, but being a raw milk cheese, the precise timings and delicate balance of ingredients is critical, and every batch must be tested and passed by the Environment Agency before sale. “In the early days it was heartbreaking to have to throw away an entire batch due to inconsistencies. It has been a steep learning curve, but I feel I have now fine-
tuned the process and due to the high demand, have just increased my milk order from 50 to 400 litres a week.”
All this talk of cheese has sharpened my appetite, so back in the kitchen Emily unwraps one of the barrels and cuts a thin slice. It has a soft, creamy texture, similar to goat’s cheese but with a subtle gentleness that is well balanced and slightly nutty. Described as the perfect ‘fourth cheese’ to accompany the standard hard, blue and soft options that normally grace a cheese board, it also has a quality and depth of flavour that allows it to stand alone, and it would be delightful enjoyed with a cracker and a glass of crisp white wine on a summer’s afternoon. We say cheese to that!
www.broughtonhalldairy.co.uk
Family-run farm shop stocking a rich variety of produce, daily essentials, beautiful gi s and a healthy plant selection.
Local meat • Charcuterie • Vegetables • Bread & Cakes
Seasonal British Fish • Shellfish at A Passion for Seafood Sauces • Condiments • Oils • Preserves
You can also enjoy a co ee or a sandwich in the café on site!
Hasketon, Woodbridge IP13 6HN
Open Mon - Sun | Pop in or order online @grangefarmshop /grangefarmshophasketon
And the winner is….
The Wild Meat Company has been crowned winner of the Local Food & Drink National Champion in the 2024 Countryside Alliance Awards. Now in their sixteenth year and commonly known as the ‘Rural Oscars’, these awards are one of the Countryside Alliance’s most coveted. They go beyond recognising rural businesses; they honour the efforts and dedication of the people who make our countryside thrive. Earlier in the year, businesses were nominated by members of the public and crowned regional winners through an online vote, with each regional winner then competing against others in their category, with a panel of judges selecting the national champion.
Founder Robert Gooch and Office Manager, Annabel Warner had the privilege of attending the award ceremony at the House of Lords. The winners were announced by Lord Nick Herbert, Chairman of the Countryside Alliance, who praised their efforts, saying: “In Suffolk, there is an abundance of wild game, and The Wild Meat Company is a business that was born out of necessity and has grown into a showcase of sustainability. They aim to take the muck and mystery out of buying, preparing and eating game and promote it to a whole new market.”
What better way to celebrate their 25th year in business!
www.wildmeat.co.uk
A Cunning Plan
Fox + Bramble is a beautiful children’s clothing and toy store in Ipswich and Felixstowe and this August, owner Sarah is set to open The Nook, a play café at the rear of its Felixstowe store, serving healthy smoothies and smoothie bowls, ice cream, refreshments and treats for little ones aged 0-4 years. Oh, and coffee, speciality teas and other lovely treats for adults too! No children, no problem as there’ll also be a take-out service so you can order ‘to go’… Sarah says, “This has been a dream of ours for a long time and having the space at the rear of the shop in Felixstowe, it just felt like it was meant to be. As a mum of four, there was never anything like this when my boys were young – somewhere you could go for coffee and a catch up with friends (or even on your own) and know that your little one/s can play in a child friendly environment.”
You can book ahead or just pop by. Join the team to celebrate the official opening on August 12th at 24 Orwell Rd, Felixstowe www.foxandbramble.co.uk
Puffed up with pride
When private chef Lily Benbow of Noble Prawn found herself back at the much-revered Ballymaloe Cookery School in Co. Cork for their 40th anniversary celebrations last year, little did she think that the outcome would be the creation of her own puffed quinoa cereal. It was whilst she was there that she first tasted Honey & Co’s ‘Ashura’, a cracked wheat Middle Eastern cereal with nuts, and on her return home she started to experiment to create her own carbohydratefree version. Donning her chef’s hat, she substituted the wheat for puffed quinoa and tweaked it further, adding cinnamon, grade A cardamom nuts, seeds and honey.
The quinoa is grown in the fields of Essex by Peter Fairs and after harvest it is taken to Berkshire to be puffed up and then returned to our Suffolk shelves by Hodmedods. It makes the basis of Lily’s
A Woman of Note
Puffed Quinoa Cereal, her delicious, naturally spiced, gluten free cereal, which can also be nibbled on as a snack, or used as a topping on yoghurt, ice-cream, cakes or meringues. It is already available from The Black Dog Deli, Halesworth, Leo’s Deli in Framlingham and on the brunch menu at 1975 Wine bar in Gobbits Yard, Woodbridge, and Lily hopes it will be retailing from many more Suffolk outlets before too long...
www.nobleprawn.com
Ruth Watson, co-owner of the truly fabulous Italian restaurant, Watson and Walpole in Framlingham, has had a tremendous career to date and now adds another feather to her cap as she’s recently been named as the new president of the Guild of Food Writers, an association of nearly 600 broadcasters, authors and journalists, with Delia Smith as patron. Ruth will serve a five-year term starting in October when she takes over from the current president, Orlando Murrin.
Ingredients
130g Wholegrain Flour, eg rye, barley or emmer
130g Stoneground White Flour
2 tsp Baking Powder
A Pinch of Sea Salt
2 heaped tsp Cinnamon Powder
1 heaped tsp Cardamom Powder
1 tsp Coriander Seeds, toasted and roughly ground
2 heaped tbsp Blue Poppy Seeds
295ml Olive Oil or Rapeseed Oil
Small thumb of Fresh Ginger Root, finely grated
200g Dark Brown Sugar
4 Eggs, lightly whisked
300g Grated Carrot (around 2-3 carrots)
1 Lemon, zested
50g Pumpkin Seeds
50g Hemp Seeds
80g Currants
For the icing
400g Thick Greek Style Yoghurt
40g Icing Sugar
1 tsp Ground Turmeric
Carrrot Cake with poppy seeds, ginger & turmeric yoghurt icing
This show-stopping cake is wonderfully simple to make. It’s also very forgiving, making it a great bake for playing around with different wholegrain flours.
Method
Set the oven to 175C and line two 20cm cake rounds.
Pop the flours, baking powder, salt, spices and poppy seeds into a large bowl and mix well. In another bowl, pour in the oil followed by the ginger, sugar and eggs. Use a whisk to beat the mix together before folding in the carrots, seeds and currants.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and lightly fold everything together, until all of the flour has been incorporated.
Divide the mix equally between the two lined tins and pop them into the middle shelf of the oven. Bake for around 30–35 minutes, until
the top is golden and springs back when you gently push it. Cool the cakes inside their tins for c.20 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Mix all of the icing ingredients together. Add a generous few spoons of the icing onto one layer, using a spatula to gently spread it evenly around. Carefully place over the top layer of the cake, and smooth the rest of the icing to cover the top. Decorate with lemon zest, poppy seeds, some extra seeds or nuts and some edible flowers.
Recipe by Sarah Cotterell and Aitana Infante, authors of A La Mesa, available to purchase from Hodmedods at www.hodmedods.co.uk
round & about
Take a walk on the willow-side
I have often wondered how you access the footpath that follows the meandering River Deben just below the A12 at Wickham Market, so this issue I grabbed a couple of willing mates and went to find out. We park just off the market square and despite having left my glasses behind, Louise and Jane trust me with the map on my phone, so we head to All Saints Church where the walk begins. Following the path to the right, make sure you look up as this church is the only one in Suffolk with an unusual octagonal tower – more fun facts to follow!
After crossing the churchyard, the footpath leads down an avenue of trees to a row of pretty terraced cottages whose gardens are spilling over with hollyhocks and roses. Here
we turn left and follow the path until we come to a lane where we then turn right. We can now see and hear the A12 and a little further on we turn left and end up right underneath it, the concrete walls of the tunnel rebounding and amplifying our voices. We make the obligatory whooping and oohing noises, although Louise goes rogue and does a great troll impression, and so, like the three Billy Goats Gruff, we quickly trip-trap out the other side. Here we turn left along the track and are soon at the River Deben.
A wide grassy track winds alongside the river, and leaving the A12 - and its trolls behind - we follow this through the willow glades. The nettles are tall at this time of year
but where they have been pushed down for dogs, and possibly their owners, to take a dip, we can see how clean and clear the water looks. Lily pads are just pushing to the surface and the reed beds are alive with the iridescence of dancing blue-banded damsel flies. As we walk, we keep an ear out for the distinctive shrill peep of the kingfisher, but only the green woodpecker’s laughter can be heard this afternoon.
We finally come to a small bridge and then turn left over another, longer bridge where the path now leads us into a small ancient wood, known as The Oaks. Dappled light filters through the mix of native trees found here, which on a hot summer’s day, would provide some welcome shade. We emerge onto a lane and turn right. Our chatter has now upped a notch as we discuss the current
political situation and whether George Clooney will run for president, so we miss the kissing gate on the right that would have offered a short cut through the trees. Instead, we keep to the road, turning right at the junction and meet back up with the route by a farm gate.
Rounding a bend, we can see the wonderful grounds and gardens of Ashe Abbey, a medieval longhouse which – and here comes fun fact number two – stands on the remains of a priory founded in 1195 by Theobald de Valoines for his sisters and a community of nuns, before being disestablished in 1536. On the other side of the road, we glimpse a large body of water that the map refers to as Decoy Pond, and which is in fact one of two fishponds that would have supplied the priory. Just up on the right we rejoin the
footpath which takes us past a glade of young willows, most probably English Willow which will eventually be coppiced and the timber used for cricket bats. Howzat!
The path opens into a meadow that gently slopes down to the river, the evening light just catching the tops of the trees ahead. A pair of cocker spaniels zoom into view and as quickly as they came, zoom past us, intent on an invisible, yet obviously irresistible, scent trail. At the end of the meadow a kissing gate brings us back to The Oaks and we turn left and cross the bridge again. Pausing, we look down to see our reflections - a careful hand on the sunnies to avoid a mishap - and are thrilled to see small shoals of fish zigzagging through the weeds.
Instead of retracing our steps, we bear left through a gap in the hedge and follow a grassy track that edges a large meadow planted with more willows - it is strange to think that in another 10-12 years these could be smashing sixes over the Tavern stand at Lords. We follow this track back through the tunnel under the A12 and then straight up Mill Lane, passing a tiny, converted mill that looks like a delightful place to stay. We also spy the rear of the Victorian workhouses, which – third and final fact – were originally built in 1836 to accommodate 400 inmates and had a chapel and separate infirmary, before being acquired by the council in 1948 and turned into housing. Spotting the spire of the church, we return to the start and all agree that it is great to get a new perspective on a place that feels so familiar.
Flint Hall Events
@flinthalleventssuffolk
Massagical
Grove Farm
Dunwich Lane
Saxmundham IP17 2JP www.massagical.co.uk
ReNaturing
Sinfield Nature Conservation Trust
White House Farm Nature Reserve
Hasketon
Woodbridge IP13 6JP T: 07795 194021 www.renaturing.co.uk
The Retreat Beauty Salon 12-14 Well Close Square Framlingham IP13 9DU T: 01728 723445 www.theretreatfram.co.uk
Interiors emporium
Barretts of Woodbridge
40 Thoroughfare
Woodbridge IP12 1AL www.barretts.co.uk
collated
Guildhall, Market Hill
Framlingham IP13 9BD 174 High Street
Aldeburgh IP15 5AQ 20a Thoroughfare
Woodbridge IP12 www.collatedonline.com
LayerTree
www.layertree.co.uk @layertree
Narwhal Interiors
23 Market Hill
Framlingham IP13 9AN @narwhal_interiors
no1EastLane @no1eastlane www.no1eastlane.co.uk
Norfolk Natural Living 82 High St, Southwold IP18 6DP 1B Thoroughfare, Woodbridge IP12 1AA www.norfolknaturalliving.com
Red Eyed Dove
Barnaby Green 23b High Street Southwold IP18 6AD @redeyeddove
Rooms with a View Unit 2, Place Farm Stuston, Diss IP21 4AD www.roomswithaview.co.uk
Swan House & Garden 21 High St
Debenham IP14 6QL @swanmaisonetjardin
The Burgess Group
Notcutts Garden Centre
Woodbridge IP12 4AF www.burgess-group.com
The Majestic Hare
Bridge House
Bridge Street
Framlingham IP13 9AJ @majestichare
Vanil 17 Church Street
Woodbridge IP12 1DS www.vanil.co.uk
Woodbridge Kitchen Company 7 Thoroughfare
Woodbridge IP12 1AA www.woodbridgekitchencompany. co.uk
Stockists
Fashion emporium
Anna
32 Church St
Woodbridge IP12 1DH www.shopatanna.com
Boho & Blyth
58 Thoroughfare
Halesworth IP19 8AR www.bohoandblyth.com
collen & clare
25 Market Place
Southwold IP18 6ED www.collenandclare.com
Darcy B
13 Market Hill
Framlingham IP13 9AN www.darcy-b.co.uk
Drift Jewellery
www.driftjewellery.com @drift_jewellery
Ernest Doe
Broadwater Road
Framlingham IP13 9LL T: 01728 723963 www.ernestdoe.com
Joli
158 High Street
Aldeburgh IP15 5AQ www.jolisuffolk.com @jolisuffolk
Matisa Market
www.matisamarket.com @matisamarket
Mea Boutique
80 High Street
Southwold IP18 6DP @measouthwold
Mixologems www.mixologems.com @mixologems
Moose
20A Market Hill
Woodbridge IP12 4LU @mooseonthehill
O&C Butcher
129 - 131 High Street
Aldeburgh IP15 5AS www.ocbutcher.co.uk
Ruby Tyger
No 1 The Mews
Market Hill
Framlingham IP13 9AN @rubytyger.framlingham
WYSE Pop-up
75 High Street
Southwold @wyselondon
The Sax/Snape Edit
Angels Beauty Clinic
5 High Street
Saxmundham IP17 1DF www.angels-beauty-clinic.co.uk
Bethany Rose Florist
3 High Street
Saxmundham IP17 1DF www.bethanyroseflorist.co.uk
Cotton Tree Interiors
26 High Street
Saxmundham IP17 1AG
East of Eden
The Old Barn
Fromus Square
Saxmundham IP17 1DG
59 High Street
Southwold IP18 6DN www.east-of-eden.co.uk
Fishers Home Hardware
39 High Street
Saxmundham IP17 1AJ www.fishershomehardware.co.uk
Jackey L Jewellers
23 High Street
Saxmundham IP17 1DF www.jackeyl.co.uk
Jeffrey & Associates
16b High Street
Saxmundham IP17 1DD
T: 01728 652896
Pinch
Maple Farm
East Green, Kelsale
Saxmundham IP17 2PL www.eatpinch.com
Snape Maltings
Snape Bridge
Snape IP17 1SP
www.brittenpearsarts.org
the-barn.co
Friday Street
Saxmundham IP17 1JX www.the-barn.co
The George Farnham Gallery
6a High Street
Saxmundham IP17 1DD
www.thegeorgefarnhamgallery.uk
The Store
46 High Street
Saxmundham IP17 1AB
www.thestoresaxmundham.co.uk
