CirencesterScene Magazine -Establishing Local Connections Country Matters by The Hodge
So, now we know–eggsare safe, evenfor small children and the
prospectivemother.Eggs, rich and golden, runny and delicious; fried, boiled, scrambled, poached, coddled, as an omelette, as an ingredient… cheap, nutritious and…safe!
“She who cackles most, lays least eggs” Traditional country lore plenty of both.
The unfertilised ovaofthe domesticated jungle fowl, the mostpopulous birdonplanetearth. Weeat 12,813,000eggs per annum in this coun- try–that’s196 forevery person and atotal of 35 million aday.Our farmersproduce 85% of those eggs, the rest are imported. When there was a health scare a fewweeksago, it transpired that our friendly neighbourhood supermarketswere promoting their credentials by telling everyone their eggs were all British but what they put in ready meals and sandwiches were all cheap imports – the source ofthe food scare!
So for anutritious, cheap and easy meal, go to work on an egg. Toast
those soldiers,
chip the top off and dip your spoon into the golden reservoir of gorgeousness. And remember… it’s safe.
** ** *
November marksthe start of winter for the countryman. The clockshave gone back, the curtainsare drawn early,the fires arelit and we take on the mantle of whatever weather is thrownour way. Cold winds, frost, rain, snow, morefrost.Wechange our diet and getthe cas- serole dish down from the shelf and enjoy the stews and winter vegetables. Every cloud has a silver lining!
Not much work can bedone on the farm once wintersetsin. The mud and the cold means that animalsare broughtinand bedded downin their barns. The fieldslie fallow awaiting abreathof warmth in spring and the newlife thatitheralds but in the meantime the farmer spends histime on planning and maintenance –there’salways
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Youmay not have the same responsibilities in terms of livestock but if youhaveagarden you candoyour bit. Precious hedgehogs will be findingcosy cornersinwhich to hibernate so don’t be over-tidy. And before you light a bon- fire, make sure the base isn’t one of those cosy corners. It’s besttomovethe whole structure and make sure before you lightit. And talking of bonfires, my usual message istoattend an organised firework display and nottry to do-it- yourself which is expensive by comparison. Fire- worksare alien to all non-humans –farm stock, dogs and other pets, horses and wildlife –and no one knows whatef- fect your snap crackle and popwill have on those creatures around youexceptfor thepet ownerswho livein dread of this time of the
year.Sopleasebe considerate.
Whilstranting,the same goes forChinese Lanterns which have proved to be areal menace, either setting fireto things or being
eatenby cattle or sheep, causingtheir deaths. Please don’t have anythingtodowith the infer- nal contraptions.
Youcan also doyour bit by looking after the birdsthatvisit with dedicated feedersand fresh water. Keep the feedersclean andthe food fresh and enjoythe sights and soundsofa regular stream of visitorstoyour garden throughout the winter.
If you dread the comingofwinter, and many do,try and makethe mostofit. When thereare brightsunny days, dress up and getout there and make the mostofthe countryside around us. And even when the weather is poor, the sights and sounds can still be amazing. Keep warm and comfortable, look after those around youand before youknow it, spring will be just aroundthe corner.
The Hodge Please tell our advertisers you saw them in the Cirencester Scene Magazine
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