AN EGG-CEllENT ACTIvIT y

A hISTORy OF EGG DECORATING

By GEMMA PETERS

My seven-year-old Darcey sat, head bowed over an egg she was painstakingly covering in tiny glittery plastic gems, determined to win the class egg decorating competition. She looked up, “why do we decorate eggs at Easter?” she asked. It’s a good question.

humans have been decorating eggs for centuries. In the UK, the practice can be traced back to early pagan rituals, celebrating the arrival of spring and new life.

One of the earliest records of egg decoration comes from ancient Persia, where eggs were decorated to celebrate New year. As eggs are widely considered a symbol of fertility and rebirth, the tradition gradually spread to other cultures. It also made them a fitting representation of the themes of Easter, so Christians used eggs as a way to symbolize the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In medieval Europe, it became common to give decorated eggs as gifts during the Easter season. wealthier people gave eggs made of precious metals, enamel, and glass, decorated with intricate patterns and religious imagery.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, the tradition of decorating Easter eggs became even more widespread. About this time people started to use wax resist techniques. This involves the application of a coat of one colour, followed by painting an intricate wax pattern on to the egg, then applying a second coat of a different colour. The wax resists the second glaze from adhering, which allows the painted design to show.

In many cultures, Easter egg decorating has taken on significance beyond its original seasonal and religious origins. In Ukraine, for example, the art of egg decorating using wax resist is known as pysanky and has become a highly skilled form of folk art. Pysanky features intricate patterns and symbols that have deep cultural and spiritual meaning.

In Russia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries the jewellery firm Fabergé created extravagantly decorated eggs for the Russian Imperial family. These are some of the most exquisite and rare treasures in the world, known for their beautiful, intricate design and delicate workmanship. The first Fabergé egg was commissioned in 1885 by Tsar Alexander III as an Easter gift for his wife. The egg is known as the “hen Egg,” and was crafted from gold. Inside there was even a miniature replica of the imperial crown. The success of this first egg led to a series of annual commissions, each one more elaborate and detailed than the last. In total, 50 Fabergé eggs were created, symbols of the wealth and power of the Russian Imperial family. Today they sell for millions of dollars at auction.

My daughter’s glue-and-gem-encrusted offering may not rival the fabulousness of Fabergé but she enjoyed taking part in an historic tradition. Many communities hold Easter egg decorating contests and festivals, where participants can showcase their creativity and craftsmanship. Perhaps there’s one in your local area. whether as part of a church activity, or simply a fun family event, Easter egg decorating remains a beloved tradition that brings people together and celebrates the joys of spring and new beginnings.

To contact BERSTED IN FOCUS please email: office@infocusmagazines.co.uk

WE WOULD LOVE TO THANK YOU ALL FOR THE CONTINUAL SUPPORT OVER THE LAST 6 YEARS

A GLASS OF PROSECCO WILL BE OFFERED TO ALL HANDS AND FEET APPOINTMENTS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK OF THE 17TH - 23RD APRIL, TO CELEBRATE BEING IN MIDDLETON ON SEA 6 YEARS.

25% OFF ALL FACIALS THROUGHOUT APRIL QUOTE - 'EJB25' WHEN BOOKING TO RECEIVE YOUR DISCOUNT

Meet The Managers

We would love to introduce you to Chelsea, the General Manager, and Gemma, the Salon Manager Chelsea and Gemma work closely together to run Emma Jade Beauty

A fun fact about Chelsea is she has worked for EJB for just short of 6 years, has worked with Emma for 2 years in a previous salon, and she loves a dance after a cheeky Prosecco, haha!

A fun fact about Gemma is she has worked for EJB for over 2 years and has had clothes deliveries to the salon pretty much every day since then, haha!

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What’s on at Bersted Jubilee Hall

Subject to change, please call 01243 842221.

April 2023

Bersted Parish Council public meetings start at 7pm.

Contact 07961 761185 or www.rawlingsmartialarts.academy

LITTERPICKS around Bersted 2023–

Saturdays 11am to 1pm

15 April – Stroud Green

20 May Central Ave/Royal Parade

17 June Shripney

The Parish Council recently planted 3 Rowan Trees along Rowan Way. The trees were provide free of charge as part of an initiative from Arun DC for Parishes to plant more trees. Permission was granted from WSCC Highways to plant them along Rowan Way.

The Community Action Committee recently agreed to provide funds towards the purchase of a tea urn for Bersted Green Hub, Hazel Road. The Hub provides many activities and drop in sessions for residents. To find out more information contact the centre manager on 07385 412103

Bersted Parish Council,

Lane,

PO21 5TU, 01243 842221 clerk@bersted-pc.gov.uk www.bersted-pc.gov.uk

To contact BERSTED IN FOCUS please email: office@infocusmagazines.co.uk

ME AND M y DOG

By KATE STEwART

Thank you to everyone who has sent in their dog stories and pictures for our new Me and My Dog series. This month we are featuring In Focus readers Ann and heidi from North Bersted and Kim and Cody from Felpham. Please keep sending in your pictures and 250-word stories – we love reading them.

KIM AND CODy

My name is Kim Brown and I have a French Bulldog named Cody. Two and a half years ago Cody had an accident. he stepped down a hidden rabbit hole which caused a disc in his back to explode and after an MRI and surgery he was unable to use his back legs so now he uses wheels.

Cody used to go training with our other French Bulldog, lexi, but after surgery was he unable to go but would look at me as though I was a traitor when I took lexi to her class. So I asked if Cody could return to his class as he loved training and the response was “why not?”

As a consequence, last summer Cody passed his Kennel Club Gold Good Citizens award and regularly competes in Talking Dogs Rally Competitions against able bodied dogs. he has an amazing personality and courage. I hope you have enjoyed reading about him, it is so easy to write dogs off because they are disabled.

ANN AND hEIDI

My labrador/Terrier cross heidi is a lovely girl and the light of my life, she is such a happy dog and quite an energetic girl despite being around 15-years-old. I named her heidi as I love the heidi books. heidi tells me when it’s time for her three walks each day which keeps us both fit and maybe a bit younger!

we have been together 13 years and she came from a labrador rescue in Ireland. we have done training and agility in the past when we were both younger! we have made lots of friends over the years and the local people we meet on our walks heidi always greets with her ‘helicopter’ tail. It literally goes around in circles especially if they have treats for her!

we also do volunteer dog walking for the Cinnamon Trust where we take dogs for a walk for their older owners who can no longer take their dogs out for a variety of reasons. heidi is very happy to walk with a dog she doesn’t know, she is a great help and we all become friends. One of the dogs we looked after recently had a lovely lady owner who was 105, when she sadly died we looked after her little dog on long-term foster until the Cinnamon Trust found her a happy, forever home.

heidi looks like a short-legged labrador and she has the gentle labrador personality. She has several beds and likes to be in the one I have in my yoga room while I do my practice in the morning, she also has a ‘firework’ bed in the bathroom where she hides if there are any loud noises!

I know she is getting older so I treasure every day we are together and no holidays are planned this year as we both are happy being at home.

To contact BERSTED IN FOCUS please email: office@infocusmagazines.co.uk