Out & About Autumn 2021

GERALDINE GARDNER

Editor

A s a new school year begins, it looks like we might be heading for a bit of an Indian summer, which would be no bad thing after the hiatus of the last 18 months or so and – let’s face it – a pretty unremarkable summer, weatherwise. The start of the school year also means Harvest assemblies and festivals with rousing renditions of ‘Cauliflowers fluffy, cabbages green...’ and putting together Harvest gifts. Perhaps one of the most popular and staple items in a Harvest basket is the good old apple. Quintessentially British, although there are many foreign varieties, nothing says autumn and Harvest time quite like the ‘forbidden’ fruit. With this in mind, I paid a visit to Tutts Clump cider run by the Wale family. What started as a hobby for owner TimWale has turned into a thriving local business with a delicious end product to boot. Our Berkshire Farm Girl Eleanor Gilbert continues her seasonal farming diary, highlighting the vagaries of the summer weather and the affect it has had on the harvest season for farmers, and river keeper Nick Edwards starts to wind things down as the fishing season ends and he can turn his attentions to repairing and rejuvenating the stretch of the River Kennet that is his responsibility. Allotment holder David Cole has some great tips for vegetable growing and, sticking with the great outdoors, Emma Cole discovers what inspired nature writer Nicola Chester to write her memoir On Gallows Down , due to be published in October.

Nicola’s love for the countryside in which she grew up is infectious and her knowledge of the local area is fascinating. If you want to get young children interested in the wider natural world, you might consider a day out at Beale Park. Sarah Bosley paid the Berkshire attraction a visit and discovered plenty of animal mischief as well as outdoor play areas to keep the family entertained. As the daylight hours get shorter and it gets a bit chillier, there is nothing more comforting than a nice bowl of soup. We’ve got some great recipes, including an easy-to- make pumpkin soup and some fun Bonfire Night party food ideas for adults and children alike. Or if you fancy a night off and going out for a meal, Angie Knight says The Five Bells at Wickham is definitely worth a visit. Maybe an evening in is more appealing and The Vineyard’s sommelier Romain Bourger gives you the lowdown on why Californian wines are up there with the best. Talking of wine, it’s not often these days that the bottles on the supermarket shelves have corks. But if you did happen to need a corkscrew, SAS Auctions are selling a selection of weird and wonderful designs all owned by one avid collector. There’s plenty more to read with our usual fashion, fitness and education features, as well as motors, books, interiors and travel, plus a round-up of what’s on in the coming months. Happy reading and happy Harvest season!

Editor’s picks

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Cover picture

Wild things

Bonfire Night

24 BEALE PARK

50 ON GALLOWS DOWN

38 FIREWORKS FOOD

Nature writer Nicola Chester extols the beauty of the West Berkshire countryside

Berkshire’s only wildlife park has plenty to entertain little ones

Some tasty ideas to add a spark to bonfire night parties

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