Dedicated to young Hereford enthusiasts aged between 10 and 26
Grooming Stock Judging
Web: www.theyoungstock.com E-mail:
theyoungstock@gmail.com
Editor: Emma Smith
Publisher:
Smokey Cow Publishing
Copy: Susannah George
Images: Shutterstock, Freepik, Kate Smith, Emma Edwards, Erin’s Attic Photography
Design: Herd Media
ISSN: 2753-9903
Hi Youngstockers,
I hope you’ve had a great start to the year—can you believe it’s March already? I don’t mind winter, but it’s always nice to welcome spring. Snowdrops are appearing in my garden, and the birds are singing beautifully in the mornings.
March is a month of words, with two celebrations. World Book Day is on March 6th, and our featured author, Grace Olson, is giving away two of her new books—check out page 22! Then, on March 21st, it’s World Poetry Day. Have you ever written a poem? We’ve shared tips on page 18 to help you get started.
This issue is packed with fun! Produce Explorer has been busy, there’s a delicious cherry cheesecake recipe, and I’ve set a seasonal scavenger hunt challenge on page 14.
Send in your pictures and letters—you could be published, just like William from Derbyshire!
Piggies, piggies everywhere
Edington Pigs was first established by Cameron and Liz five years ago after searching for pork products that were grown ethically, with high welfare standards and environmentally friendly too. Emma meets Cameron and the pigs!
Cameron & Liz have 170 - 210 piglets at one time!
A long search revealed that not many local products matched up to their standards and after lots of conversations they decided to buy a pig. How hard can it be? Actually, their journey into pork and agricultural production started with four pigs. The breed was important and they settled on Large Blacks. This breed is classed as a rare breed and is not used often on a commercial basis. However, a camping trip and a chance meeting with a Large Black began the love affair they all now have.
These all black pigs produce pork that is high in fat and therefore flavour.
Slow maturing traits mean that time from birth to slaughter is later than that of other pig breeds, taking around 9 months. Cameron and Liz were ok with that as their whole ethos is to farm high welfare, high quality pigs.
How it started
The first four pigs were slaughtered with one being sold to a pub, two were sold to a butcher and they kept one for themselves. There was an empty hole and field after they had gone and so another four pigs were purchased, followed by another twelve.
Pig production had started! They later purchased a small parcel of land, roughly 6 acres and so the journey into farming continued.
Both Cameron and Liz had non farming careers, so it has taken some time to learn the ropes. Liz worked in the NHS, and now works for a local vets. Cameron was a bar manager, but both of
them were committed to growing pork for friends, family and the local community. It has been through lots of hard work, reading books, talking to farmers and making some mistakes that have got them where they are today.
Pig production
A litter of pigs are born every 2 - 3 weeks and stay with their mother until they are 8 - 12 weeks old. After this period, they are weaned and batched into age groups. The paddocks are separated with fencing and each has its own shelter, with fresh straw, water and a place for snuffling and rummaging in the ground. Boars run with the sows and all seem very friendly. Every pig on the farm has a name and Emma was lucky enough to meet Lillibeth and Neffita. All the sows are named after queens.
Currently there are 2 pigs a week leaving the farm and being sold to 2 pubs and a butchers. One of the aims with this business is to keep the food miles low. The food for the pigs is bought from a neighbouring farmer and they like to eat beans, wheat and barley. Secondly, the slaughter
house is just over an hour away and then the customers all live within a 30 mile radius. This also helps to keep their carbon impact low - we will look into carbon footprints in the next issue.
Future plans
Cameron and Liz have big aims for the future and would like to double the amount of pigs they sell from 2 to 4, increase the amount of customers buying the pigs and branch out into diversification ideas.
It just goes to show that with a vision, ideas and lots of hard work anyone and everyone can become a farmer!
The boar is called Jack, who is 4 years old
The importance of hedgerows
Thousands of years ago our land was mainly forests. Over time humans have slowly cleared the forestry to make farmland for growing crops and keeping livestock, making the countryside unrecognisable to what our ancestors would know. In fact it is a patchwork quilt of small and large fields with a small amount of hedges left.
The majority of hedges were planted between 1720 and 1840. The purpose was to protect the crops from weather conditions and to provide the livestock with shelter. The humble hedgerow was created, making it an artificial part of the landscape. These hedgerows provided boundaries for farmers and enabled enclosures meaning that everyone had their own little piece to grow food.
Unfortunately as time went on, farming grew in popularity and these smaller enclosures were not big enough. After the Second World War there was a greater need to produce food meaning we needed larger fields. With that came larger pieces of machinery and so our hedges were slowly removed to enable bigger food production.
The population was growing in the country and so was the need for more houses and roads.
Another reason for hedges to be taken out. Over fifty percent of our hedges were lost over fifty years following the war. Luckily in today’s world the importance of hedgerows is making a comeback with them being introduced back to the countryside.
Benefits of hedges
Birds, animals and insects use these wonderful shrubs as homes, food sources and for breeding purposes. Berries, seeds and flowers grow all year round which provide bees with pollinating flowers, berries for the birds and homes for small mammals.
They act as a windbreak for animals and crops, and protect the soils from erosion. They make great barriers and reduce the amount pesticides, fertilisers and soil reaching watercourses.
Hedge Match!
The best thing about a hedge? The blackberries, sloes and elderflower that can be used to make drinks and jams - yummy!
Hedgerow species
Hawthorn
• Blackthorn
• Hazel
• Ash
Oak
• Field maple
• Elm
Elder
Colour in these British trees. Can you identify them and complete their names and draw a line tomatch the leaves to their seeds?
Meet the reader William Edghill
In this issue we meet William Edghill. He tells us what he likes to do in his spare time, his favourite food and what he would ask a chicken!
Name - William Edghill
Age - 7 years
Where do you live?
I live in Buxton in Derbyshire
What do you enjoy doing?
In England, I like playing tennis, making Lego and playing with dinosaurs. In County Wicklow in the Republic of Ireland (where my
Granny lives on a dairy farm), I like helping feed the calves and carrying wood in the house for Granny.
What is your favourite food?
Spaghetti
Do you prefer livestock, machinery or crops?
Machinery- New Holland and JCB. The bigger the better!
Think of a superhero name for the countryside Super squirrel!
If you could ask a question to a cow, sheep, pig or chicken –what would it be?
I would ask a chickenWhat is it like being a chicken?
If you could ask me a question, what would it be?
How many animals do you have?
Thanks for your question William!
I have 60 pedigree beef cows, the breeds are Herefords, Beef Shorthorns and Red Ruby Devons. My favourite Hereford cow is called Pinky. They all have names and sometimes we show the best ones at agricultural shows. I also have two collie dogs called Meg and Monty - Meg is Monty’s mum. And a cat called Pepper who is 18 and still going strong! I plan to get some sheep and a pig soon for my farm school.
If you would like to see yourself in Meet the Reader, then email Emma at
Product Explorer
Our produce explorer loves nothing more than travelling around and finding new vegetables, products and ingredients to taste and explore. Here she looks into Cherries...
Production...
In the United Kingdom we produce approximately 6,000 tonnes of sweet cherries annually. Harvesting usually starts at the end of June, so you should see home grown cherries in the shops, farm shops and roadside stalls throughout July especially in Southern and Central England.
Varieties that are grown in the UK are Stella, Summer Sun, Sunburst and Morello.
Nutrition…
Based on 100g and your daily value
• 50 calories
• 1g protein
• 12g carbohydrate
• 1.6g fibre
• 0.3g fat
• 16% vitamin C
The cherry is a very nutritional fruit and can be enjoyed in the summer on its own, on top of cheesecakes or with ice cream. They are said to be a super food and have many benefits including improving your sleep, increasing heart health and improving gut health. They have
a good amount of vitamin C which is good for the immune system and skin health. Plus, they taste great! How to grow a cherry tree….
Fancy growing a cherry tree of your own? They can be a little tricky but with perseverance and a bit of love you should have sweet tasting cherries soon enough!
Firstly you need to decide on a type of cherry - sweet cherries for eating or acid cherries for cooking. They come in various sizes so you don’t need a large area, and some can be grown in pots.
When you buy the tree from the garden centre look for one with soil around the roots. Pop it into a large pot or in a well drained and fertile area. They can grow up a fence so it can be positioned in a border near one. If you grow from a seed plant it one inch under the soil and water well. Once it has grown to roughly 12 inches transfer it to their permanent spot.
Did you know… the average cherry tree can grow 7,000 cherries
The soil needs to be fertile and watered well after planting. Cherries love sunlight so make sure you can guarantee some. They also like manure, hopefully you will have some on your farm or can get some. Pop this round
the base and it will help to seal in the moisture.
Cherries are a rich food source of the hormone melatonin which can help to promote healthy sleep patterns.
Interesting Facts…
• The cherry is a member of the Rose family
In America they have an annual National Cherry Festival held since 1925 in Michigan and in Australia a National Cherry Festival is held in New South Wales.
Cherry trees only blossom in full for a week
• Cherry trees are found all around the world and Japan have a particular soft spot for them.
Youngstock News
Rain, rain go away
The start of the year has seen above average amounts of rainfall for most of the country making all farming businesses struggle. Storm Eowyn made a considerable impact on farming families with some losing livestock, fields and farms flooding and many sheds losing roofs. This made a significant impact by disrupting birthing animals. Roads were closed and many thousands of people were without power, this was due to the strong winds and rain. Fallen trees contributed to machinery damage and the high winds harmed crops, including vegetables grown in glass houses.
Sheep attacks on the increase
Dog attacks on sheep are still happening up and down the country. The season for lambing sheep is upon us, with many lambs being born and skipping in the fields. There have been many recent reports of farmers finding sheep severely hurt with dog wounds. One farmer in Gloucestershire had to have nine of sheep put down due to the injuries. The Countryside Code states that dogs should be on the lead at all times, especially round livestock. Farmers are allowed to by law, allowed to take action if their animals are put at risk. Pet owners must take responsibility for their dog at all times.
Source: Farmers Guardian Online
Record prices
February bull sales have proved to be very successful and profitable for many exhibiting their prized bulls.
Stirling Bull sales which take place in February across two weekends saw some breeds making record prices. Aberdeen Angus breeder Graeme Fraser took five bulls to the sale, all needing new homes. The star of the day was Idvies Pink Profit selling for a huge 32,000gns.
Carlisle Limousin sale saw many high prices of the day with bulls reaching over 20,000gns, prices not seen for a few years. Simmental bull Hemingford Prince sold for a whopping 56,000gns. He was the overall supreme champion for the day and this set a new UK and European record for a Simmental sold at Auction.
Herefords saw a 100% clearance. This means all the bulls that were entered and shown, were sold and made their way to new homes.
- A guinea was an old British gold coin. Even though people don’t use guineas anymore, places like horse races and auctions, still use the word “guinea” to talk about prices - it means £1.05 - so Idvies Pink Profit sold for 32,000gns x £1.05 which is £33,600!
Seasonal Scavenger Hunt
Spring is a great time to get out into nature! Use our checklist to collect, hunt and spot things that make Springtime so special. Take your hunt pack (checklist) and tick the items off as you find them.
Budding flowers such as Snowdrops, Daffodils, Bluebells and Buttercups
A flying insect such as a butterfly or bee
A nest
Something yellow
REMEMBER
Explore safely and respectfully. Take home your litter, put things back where you find them, and shut any gates.
But most importantly HAVE FUN!
New green leaves
A feather
A returning Swallow Springy moss
A piece of eggshell that has fallen to the ground
Lambs in the field
Farming around the world
IRELAND
There are around 135,000 farms in Ireland with an average size of 33 hectares
Ireland’s nickname is The Emerald Isle
• The main crops grown are barley, oats, wheat and potatoes
There are 5.38 million people living there
There are 16.5m poultry, 1.6m pigs, 5.5m sheep 7.3m cows production
Farming’s Importance: Agriculture plays a crucial role in Ireland’s economy. Around 70% of the country’s land is used for farming, making it one of the most important industries in the nation
Farm Fun Quiz
Memory Quiz
Question 1 - What breed of pigs does Edmonton pigs farm?
Question 2 - True or false - hedges provide us with CO2?
Question 3 - How many cherries can a cherry tree grow?
Question 4 - How many farms are in Ireland?
Question 5 - How do butterflies taste their food?
Question 6 - What is the name of our feature book?
Question 7 - How many acres does Draynes farm have?
Question 8 - What fruit is used in our recipe?
Question 9 - How many layers are in our soils?
Question 10 - What does STEM stand for?
Spring word search
BULBS
RAINBOWS
MOTHERS DAY
PUDDLE
BUNNY
CHICKS
BLOOM
LAMBS
CHIRPING
MAY
SHOWERS
EASTER
FROG SPAWN
APRIL
POLLINATE
LIFECYCLE
FLOWERS
DAFFODIL
BORN
SEEDS
Spring Jokes
What did the big flower say to the little flower? Hi bud!
What season is it when you are on a trampoline? Springtime
What kind of garden does a baker have? A flour garden
Why was the Easter egg hiding? Because it was a little chicken
How do bees brush their hair? With a honey-comb
World Poetry Day Tuesday 21st March
Poetry is a form of writing to express a story, thoughts or feelings. They can rhyme or just be in single sentences. This year’s theme is about being creative, positive and inclusive. Poetry is more than just words, it’s a great way of writing and enjoying words.
Have you ever written a poem? Why not try now. Here are some tips to get you started.
Think of a topic, this can be about anything. Use lots of words to help describe or make your reader feel the poem. Do you want it to rhyme? Think of words like bed and fed, cook and look or cow and now Put all your words together and da-da.
Why not write your poem and send it in? It would be great to publish lots of yours so why not give it a go.
Spring time Animal Facts
Spring is a sign of new life and new beginnings. Flowers such as Snowdrops and Daffodils are now out, what but animals do we associate with Spring or new beginnings?
Lambs
did Ewe know that lambs are up on their feet within half an hour of being born!
Birds
when Spring arrives, birds love to sing and it starts at 4am! It is known as the dawn chorus
Butterflies
these insects taste with their feet which is where their taste sensors are
Chicks
chicks are born with a tooth, which helps them break out of their shell. This tooth soon is lost though.
Frogs
female lay their eggs in ponds, ditches and lakes. This is called Frogspawn, watch out for them when walking
Meet the Author
Grace Olson Merlin finds his Magic
Merlin Finds His Magic by Grace Olson is a captivating story about Merlin’s journey of self-discovery, where he learns to embrace his hidden powers and the responsibility that comes with them.
Have you always wanted to be a children’s author?
No it happened by accident! I was avoiding editing a novel because I was being a bit lazy. So I decided I’d have a go at writing a children’s book just to see if I could do it!
What part of the book was the most fun to write?
All of it! I absolutely love writing children’s books because you can let your imagination run wild. Children are magical so writing books for them ignites a magic in me.
Are any of the books you write inspired from your own childhood or own experiences?
My two memoir-novels, The Yard and The Farm, are all about my life experiences (with a tiny bit of fiction added but not much). My sheepy children’s books are very much based on the lives and experiences of my real pet sheep and their unique personalities.
When you begin writing do you know what the ending will be?
No, it always surprises me how my books end! I always say ‘Wow I didn’t see that coming!’
How do you channel your inner child to write your stories?
This is a wonderful question. When I write I feel that I am channeling from something external. Like the words come through from somewhere else. However, my inner child did help write my book, The Farm, and it happened without me trying. Like it was already there ready to come out.
Approximately how long does it take to complete one of your books?
Another great question! It takes a couple of months to write and edit the children’s books. It’s important to let ideas bubble
and grow and change. It took two years to write and edit each of the big books. They’re over 95,000 words so it’s a lot of work and I don’t like to rush because I want to create something that will be meaningful for people to read
Finally, please can you share how your sheep are regulars on The Yorkshire Vet?
Merlin was the first of my sheep to be featured on The Yorkshire Vet and he was filmed doing an agility course with Julian the vet. My sheep do therapy work so they have also been filmed doing their healing work. The best thing ever was when my book launch for Merlin Finds His Magic was featured on The Yorkshire Vet!
We have two copies of Merlin finds his Magic to givea way! To enter answer this question
many words are in the book? Email your answers by 15th April to susannah.theyoung
Welcome to Drayne’s Farm
Introducing Drayne’s Farm, Lisburn County Antrim. The home of happy cows and tasty wholesome dairy products
For over 90 years
Drayne’s Farm has been synonymous with the very finest milk and dairy products. In all that time the dedicated team have never lost their passion for producing great tasting milk.
In 1932 Seamus Drayne and his two brothers Aidan and Dermot started Drayne’s Farm. They began making deliveries on horse and cart, with fresh farm milk straight from the churn. Fast forward to the current day and the founders would hardly recognise the farm. The heart and soul and enthusiasm for dairy farming is very much the same, however the buildings and technology have advanced greatly.
The fact that the farm remains an independent family business producing, processing, and distributing directly from their 200-acre farm, continues to make them unique. To think that the business Seamus, Aidan, and Dermot started all those years ago is still providing the finest home-grown milk and cream to thousands of homes and businesses across Northern Ireland, is a wonderful endorsement to the family and staff today.
Drayne’s Farm may have been supplying customers with milk and cream products for many years but more recently they have added ice cream to their product range. Naturally they use only the highest quality products. Unprocessed flavours, which have been carefully selected to compliment the nourishing milk from their dairy cows.
It may be thought that all milk is equal, however that is not the ethos at Drayne’s Farm. Their cows produce wholesome milk that naturally responds to the amount of care and passion that goes into its production.
Every cow in their full herd of prime Holstein Friesians live in a stress–free environment where they maintain comfortable and hygienic living conditions. Talk about being pampered, the cows can enjoy an automated bovine back scratcher, which I’m told they love and form a queue to get a turn! In fact, it improves the cows’ circulation and enhances their metabolism and is great for their skin too. Of course, happy cows equal great tasting milk.
The Drayne’s Farm main milk plant currently runs at 10,000L per hour, producing skimmed, semi-skimmed and whole milk along with whipping and double cream. The ice cream plant pasteurises 300L of milk per hour and a recent investment in a 770L continuous freezer allows more ice cream to be produced daily. Bringing the ice cream temperature quickly down to -20°C in a blast freezer, improves both the texture and the shelf life of the product.
For the farm, improving the overall sustainability of the business is critically important as they look to the future. Their aim is to secure carbon neutrality by 2040. Solar panels, fixed to several of the roofs at Drayne’s Farm currently supply 40% of the electricity required
by the company. The electricity generated by the panels varies greatly depending on the time of year and the hours of sunshine.
By processing the milk in their own modern facility, it means they can distribute it using their own dedicated fleet of vehicles. In fact, an independent survey concludes that Drayne’s Farm milk is made with 40% less carbon emissions than the industry standard!
The essence of Drayne’s Farm really is family and the generations that have made it what it is today. There is heart and soul at its core and their values, authenticity and uniqueness make them stand out from the herd!
Just for fun, I would love to hear your best cow joke.
Send them to me at Susannah. theyoungstock@gmail.com
Why do cows have hooves instead of feet? They lactose!
Let’s stop treating soil like dirt.
Soils store more carbon than the atmosphere and all of the world’s plants and forests combined!
However, a few years ago a group of global scientists got together and worked out that we only have around 60 harvests left before the soil is in such a poor state that it cannot grow anymore food.
This is a really scary fact. How has this happened?
Growing the same crops repeatedly in the same place, using too much artificial fertiliser, pesticides and herbicides, too much ploughing and cultivation, leaving soil exposed for longer periods over winter and not allowing the ground to rest are all things that have contributed to our soils becoming sick.
But…. we know that we have made mistakes in the last 60 years and now we can use our knowledge and skills to help repair them again, so it is not all doom and gloom.
Many farmers are reintroducing measures to repair and feed their soils to help bring them back to life. Did you know that a teaspoon of healthy soil can hold more organisms than there are people on the whole planet! It is this tiny web of soil life that needs our help.
Bring back rotations
Long ago, farmers knew that crops like wheat and barley were greedy and took a lot of nutrients out of the soil. They could not replace them with a bag of fertiliser. So, after the cereal crop had been
harvested, the field would be left to grow grasses and clover, which would then be grazed by livestock. The manure and the clover would make it fertile again in time to plant the next crop. This method is being used again by many farmers today.
Keep it covered
Never leaving bare soil is a great way to protect it. Cover crops do exactly that - they ‘cover’ the soil, protecting it from being lost to wind and rain. Planted after the cereal harvest, the plants feed the soil. Some are grazed, adding manure from livestock. Others, called ‘green manures’ are chopped up and mixed into the soil, feeding the millions of organisms that live in it.
Reduce tillage
Min-til (minimum tillage) and no-til have become very trendy terms lately and that is because it is thought these methods do less damage to the soil than repeated ploughing. Lots of equipment has now been developed to encourage farmers to plant new seeds straight into the stubble of the old crop. However, the downside to these techniques is that the fields are sprayed with herbicides to kill any weeds or plants there before the seeds can be planted, but now there is growing evidence that these chemicals are no good for healthy soil either!
It’s tricky, isn’t it?
These are the things farmers think about before every crop is planted. There is a balance betweenproducing food for us to eat and protecting the environment.
One thing is for sure, our soils are VERY important, and we must do all we can to save them.
Did you know that soil has at least six different layers? The top layer is organic matter like plant and animal remains. The superhero of soils is the….. earthworm. Their work keeps them busy by moving through the soil, increasing nutrient activity and better drainage.
Careers Corner
Here at YoungStock we love nothing better than delving into all the careers and job choices that are available to us in the Food and farming industry.
The month of March sees British Science Week take place from the 7th - 16th with the theme “Change and Adapt”. What a great opportunity to explore the variety of Science and STEM based careers on offer.
There are many STEM jobs within this industry here is a list of some of them.
• Animal Nutritionist
• Plant Scientist
• Vet
• Agricultural Engineer
• Soil Scientist
• Agronomist
• Environmental Engineer
• Conservationist
“Change and Adapt” is about animals and plants evolving to stay alive. For example Chameleons change colour to protect themselves from predators and crops such as wheat and maize have adapted to survive drought tolerant conditions.
Here is a fun activity for you to try at home, maybe it will help you decide on your future job?
Record the weather for a week, keep a track of the wind, rain and sun. Why not make your own rain gauge and monitor the amount of rain that drops from the sky. Farmers are constantly watching the weather to see if they can plant crops or put livestock in the fields.
Don’t forget to send us a picture!
What does STEM mean?
It focuses on the subjects
S
T E M
- Science
- Technology
- Engineering
- Mathematics
Rain Gauge
• Get a plastic bottle such as a drinks bottle.
Carefully cut off around the bottle, two thirds of the way up.
• Mark and measure 10 ml stages with a black marker pen.
• Place some small rocks or pebbles in the bottom to weigh it down.
• Wait for the rain and use your sheet to monitor the weather.
Weekly Weather Record
Complete the table below for one week:
The Adventures of Maggie and her siblings continue
Onesunny morning, as the dew still glistened on the clover leaves, Maggie gathered her siblings for another adventure.
“Let’s explore Echoing Falls Wood.” She exclaimed, her eyes twinkling with excitement. The wood was a magical place known for its ancient trees that swayed and whispered secrets to those who were brave enough to listen. But it was also rumoured to hold a golden carrot said to grant one wish to the finder.
“I’m in.” Sophie buzzed with enthusiasm. “I’ve heard stories about that golden carrot Imagine what we could wish for.”
Henry puffed out his chest, “I’ll protect us, I’m not scared.”
Val twitched her nose and said, “We must be clever and cautious.”
With a plan in mind, the siblings set off, hopping, and scampering down the flower-lined path towards Echoing Falls Wood. As they approached the woods, the trees loomed tall and majestic, their leaves rustling softly as if welcoming the adventurers. Maggie took a deep breath, feeling both excited yet a little nervous. “Remember, we need to stick together,” she reminded them.
Once inside, the woods felt like a different world. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, creating a dance of shadows and light on the wood’s ground. “Look!” Val called, pointing at a shimmering
path lined with glowing mushrooms. “I bet that leads us to the golden carrot.”
“Let’s follow it!” Henry said eagerly, and off they went, hopping from one glowing mushroom to another. The path twisted and turned, with every corner revealing something magical—a sparkling brook, a family of deer, and even a mischievous badger who tried to make the gang jump.
“Hey there, little band of adventurers! What are you searching for?” The badger chuckled, his eyes glinting with mischief.
“We’re looking for the golden carrot!” Val declared boldly.
The Badger scratched his black and white snout. “Ah, the carrot! Many have searched, but few have found it. Be careful, young ones. The woods can be tricky, and not everything is as it seems!” “What do you mean by tricky?” Sophie enquired.
“I’ll say no more. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve been out all night and my sett is calling me to my slumber.
He scuttled off into the hedgerow, leaving them all a bit puzzled but still determined to continue.
“Maybe we need to solve a riddle, like on our last adventure?” Maggie suggested. “Or we might encounter some challenges again.” Val added. As they ventured deeper into the woods, they stumbled upon a magnificent old oak tree, its trunk broad
and twisted. Suddenly, the tree spoke in a deep, rumbling voice. “To find the golden carrot you seek, answer me this riddle, so unique.”
They huddled close; their ears perked up in curiosity.
“I have keys but open no locks. I have space but no room. You can enter but not go outside. So, what am I?” The old oak asked.
They looked at one another, pondering the riddle. “Keys but no locks…” Maggie murmured, tapping her little paw on her chin. “What could it be?” “I know!” Henry exclaimed suddenly. “It must be a computer! They have keys but don’t open locks!”
The oak chuckled heartily. “A clever thought, young man, but not quite right. Think again!” Sophie’s eyes lit up as inspiration struck. “It’s a keyboard! It has keys but doesn’t open locks.” “Well done, you’re correct.” Bellowed the oak, shaking its branches in approval. “You can successfully pass. You must seek the light where the golden carrot awaits.” “Thank you, Mister Oak!” Maggie cheered.
Following the illuminated path, they soon arrived at a hidden clearing. In the centre stood a stone pedestal, upon which sat the golden carrot. The sight took their breath away. “Wow! Look at it!” Sophie gasped. “It’s so cool.” Declared Henry.
They approached the pedestal cautiously. “Do you think it’s safe?” Val asked with her sensible head on. “I’ll touch it first!” Henry announced while up on his hind legs.
“We are a team, so we should all touch it together at the same time. They all reached out, a gentle breeze swirled around them, and the carrot sparkled even brighter. Suddenly, a tranquil voice echoed through the air.
“For your wish to be granted you must speak as one; With unity, our spirits soar, We make our mark, forever more. For when we wish together, it’s clear, That together is what we hold so dear.”
Maggie, Val, Sophie, and Henry looked at one another, excitement bubbling in their hearts. “What should we wish for?” Henry asked. “I know. Let’s wish for a beautiful garden for all the animals in the valley, where we can play and share.” Sophie suggested.
“Yes! A place for everyone to enjoy.” Maggie nodded enthusiastically. “Together, we can make it happen.”
With their hearts united, they stood in a circle around the golden carrot. “We wish for a beautiful garden for all the animals to enjoy!”
As their words filled the clearing, the golden carrot shimmered and burst into a shower of sparkling lights,
enveloping them in warmth and joy. When the sparkling lights faded, the clearing had transformed into a magnificent garden, bursting with colours, sweet scents. They all gazed in awe at the creation.
“This is amazing!” Henry exclaimed, hopping around in delight. “We did it! We really did it.” “Look at all the flowers and there’s a pond for swimming.” Sophie couldn’t contain her excitement. Maggie and her siblings spent the day celebrating their success, inviting animals from all over the valley to join them. Later as the sun began to set, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink. They all paused and then Val spoke softly.
“This garden is more than just a place; it’s a reminder that with courage, intelligence, and resilience, we can achieve more when we work together.”
Until next time...
Make your own Easy No Bake Cherry Cheesecake
Ingredients
• 130g Digestive biscuits crushed
• 75g Unsalted butter
• 300g Full fat cream cheese
• 60g Icing sugar
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon Fresh lemon juice
• 250ml Double cream
• 300g Cherry Compote ( I used Bonne Maman)
Method
1) Blitz the biscuits in a food processor until beginning to turn to crumbs or place in a sandwich bag and crush with a rolling pin. Then add the butter and combine with the biscuit mixture.
2) Press this mixture into a 20cm /8-inch springform tin, which has been lightly greased.
3) Beat together the cream cheese, icing sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon juice in a bowl until silky smooth.
4) Lightly whip the double cream, and then fold it into the cream cheese mixture.
5) Spoon the cheesecake filling on top of the biscuit base and smooth with a spatula. Put it in the fridge for a minimum of 3 hours.
6) When you are ready to serve the cheesecake, unmould it and spread the cherry compote on top.
