22


CHtheroe Advertiser & Times, Thursday, May 5,2011


wvAv.clitheroeadveriiser.co uk


vAvw.clitheroeadver1iser.co.uk


ciitheroe Advertiser & Times,Thursday, May 5,2011 in iW i^ ©


Esther's book is a feast for the eyes,,.


by Julie Magee


A BEAUTIFULLY iiiustrat- ed children's book about the joys of growing and eating your own food has been produced by Ribble Valley artist Esther Hail.


illustrated and co­ written by former Clit- heroe Royal Grammar School Sixth Form Centre student Esther, who produced the col­ ourful designs while complet­ ing an MA in children’s book illustration at the University of Central Lancashire. These


story about a young boy called Sidney who doesn’t like veg­ etables. In fact, the closest he comes to veg­ etables is the mushroom on his pizza and he usu­ ally picks that off! But a visit to Granny Milner’s is about to make eating his greens a whole lot more interest­ ing. The book is


“Grow Your Own” is the


the book and the col- ourfid illustrations help children to eat their fruit and veg­ etables, that can only be a good thing.’'


children about their eating habits, but if


in no way want­ ing to preach to


the book, Fm ‘^Through


Esther’s success continued in 2009, when she was selected for the Illustrators Exhibition at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair in Italy. This offers artists from all over the world the unique oppor­ tunity to display their talent to key players in the publishing sector. Encour­


subsequently caught the eye of global publisher Pan Macmil­ lan and Esther was highly commended in the Macmillan Prize for Children’s Book Il­ lustration in 2008. Thirty-nine-year-old


Esther, who is mum to Alice (seven) and Finn (10), drew on her own childhood memories when penning the book.


say, is history. Originally from Read,


the. LIGHT ROOM


A Bright Idea


The Light Room brought to you by LED Electrical now supply a comprehensive range of energy efficient lighting and controls - to suit every style and budget. At trade prices.


This recipe has been taken from one of Granny Milner's old recipe books.


TOMATO CHUTNEY ingredients


GREEN (OR RED) &


^ - 1 lb demerara sugar ’ 8 red chillies '' 4oz sultanas ’ . " ' V pint vinegar ;


' 4oz onion


‘ 1 lb apples (peeled and cored)


1 lb tomatoes (skinned)


_ 3 teaspoons cornflour (to thicken)


1/4oz ground ginger 1/4oz mustard seed 1/2 tablespoon salt


' Method


- ( Cut up the apples, toma­ toes and onions then boil with ail the other ingredi­ ents until it is thick (about' 30 to 40 minutes).


'


- minutes. Bottle the mixture m warm jars.


Thicken it with cornflour and cook for a further five


book. And the rest, as they


and approached Macmillan to see if it would be inter­ ested in publishing the


stoty to bring her illustra­ tions to life


Jamie, also 39, wrote a


aged by the response she had received, Esther, together with her husband


COVER STORY: Esther Hall’s colourful illustrations are the inspiration behind her book “Grow Your Own”, (s)


Granny Milner, is based on Esther’s fond memories of her own late grandma, Alice Milner, who passed away 12 years ago at the age of 87. “She was someone who


One of its main characters.


jams and give us homemade biscuits when we were at hers. She was a typical old fash­ ioned cook and a proper old fashioned granny.” She added that when writ­


ing the book, the character of Granny Milner naturally evolved as did the story of Sidney’s relationship with his


would never buy from supermarkets and would always make everything from scratch,” Esther explained. “She used to make all her own


book, Tm in no way wanting to preach to children about their eating habits, but if the book and the colourful


been great eaters of vegeta­ bles and we do grow some fruit, vegetables and herbs -we generally try to eat lots of fresh food,” Esther explained. “But when writing the book I just really liked the idea of Sidney going to see his granny and her being the influence behind it. Subconsciously, I suppose I was being influ­ enced by memories of my own granny.” She added: “Through the


granny and subsequently the relationship he develops with food. “My children have always


A FEAST FOR THE EYES: Esther Hall's beautiful illus-1 trations bring the tale of young Sidney to life, (s)


illustrations help children to eat their frait and vegetables, that can only be a good thing.” As well as her illustrating


and literary legacy, Esther also has stacks of old hand written recipes that she inher­ ited from Granny Milner to pass on to her own children. Country Living readers are given a taste of Granny Milner’s old fashioned instructions, see below, in this month’s recipe feature. While working on “Grow


Your Own”, Esther has also developed a portfolio of designs and characters, all of which appeal to children, and launched her own collection of prints. Taking her design inspiration from 1950s film


posters, book illustrations and toys, Esther uses the lino-cut printing technique to create her originals that are then digitally reproduced. The initial portfolio of eight prints, include Bird in a Tree, Lil and Flip, Busy City, Happy Girl, Owl and Cat, Cheeky Boy, Car and Lollypop Girl, are 30 x 40cm and priced at £22.50 each, including P&P, and are available to buy from www. owlandcatdesigns.co.uk


• "Grow Your Own" is


available from Amazon and Waterstones and is priced at £5-99 for the paperback edition.


FOR the chance to win a copy of "Grow. Your Own" answer the following question. What is the name of the young boy featured in Esther Hall's book "Grow Your Own"?


WIN A BOOK!


Answer............................................ Your name...................................... Address..........................................


Daytime tel. no..............................


to: Grow Your Own Competition, The Ciitheroe Advertiser and Times, 3 King Street, Ciitheroe, Lancs, BB7 2EW, by May 24th.


Send this completed coupon


Country Living's new monthly wildlife column


Phil Dykes


East Lancashire Reserves Officer


HELLO and welcome to the new monthly wildlife column specifi­ cally aimed at places, species, events and issues relating to the natural environment found in the beautiful Ribble Valley.


nate enough to work for Lancashire Wild­ life Tmst as their East Lancashire Reserves Officer. My work focuses on the Wildlife Trust Nature Reserves in the region, with three of these being in the Ribble Valley. I am sure that some of you will know me or have seen me about our Reserves at Salthill Quarry or Cross Hill Quarry in Ciitheroe. 1 am also responsible for a beautiful section of mixed woodland north of Bashall Eaves. However, 1 am also keen to support


My name is Phil Dykes and 1 am fortu­


COUNTRY SCENE: This month’s winning photograph was taken by Craig Coleran. it was taken at Wiswell and depicts one of the typical daily views that we are lucky enough to see of everyday life in the Ribble Valley.


A snapshot of Country Living


COUNTRY Living had a great response to its local amateur photography com­ petition, with a wide variety of different local scenes cap­ tured.


local schools and other community based organisations as much as my time allows. Consequently your children may know me because I’ve taken them on a nature walk round Cross Hill Quarry, or I’ve helped them build a bat box, or in the case of St James’ Primary School I’ve been leading a mini beast hunt in their wildlife friendly “Ecozone”! Add on talks, guided walks, events and other related activities; it all fills up my week amazingly quickly. The aim of these articles is to inform


i


petition are judged by Ciitheroe Advertiser photographer Ben Par­ sons. He said of the winning


readers about some of the things to look out for in the area, to cover particular topics which hopefully will be of interest and to give a view on issues as they arise. It may sound ambitious, but we will see how it goes. Comments and feedback are to be welcomed, but you have to allow me some tolerance, remembering my Yorkshire upbringing. We are now into May, my favourite


month of the year. The warmer weather has brought the bluebells out earlier this year and they go well with the white flowers of the ramsons or wild garlic. The spring migrants are all back, and I’m hoping to get a decent view of a lesser whitethroat this year. Many of these visitors can be classed as “LBJs” or “Little Brown Jobs” and can be difficult to see in the vegetation or to correctly identify. The key is their song, often the only way you can tell which small warbler is working its way through the


branches. For this month I will have to close, but


before I do I just wanted to let you know about a “Bat Walk” I am again running this spring through Brungerley Park and Cross Hill Quarry on Friday, May 20th. We’re meeting at 9 p.m. at the park entrance on Waddington Road, Ciitheroe. Feel free to come along, just bring a torch and wrap up warm as required. We’ll talk more about


bats next month.


shot: “To take a subject that most people would see as a rickety old gate and make it into


print taken by Craig Coleran, who will receive a £20 voucher for Ciit­ heroe department store Dawsons. Entries to the com­


Above is the winning


something that looks so picturesque framed well by trees and showing off some of the Ribble Valley’s most beautiful countryside is a fantastic achievement.” The only brief to


budding photographers is that the photograph should have been taken recently and.should capture a scene of “coun­ try living” in the Ribble Valley. So whether it’s a photo of our wonder­ ful countryside or local wildlife, get snapping. To be in with a chance


of winning June’s compe­ tition all entries should be sent to Country Living co-ordinator Julie Ma­ gee by May 24th. E-mail them to: julie.


magee@eastlancsnews. co.uk or alternatively you


NEW LIFE: This photo by retired Ciitheroe graphic artist Michael Picton is of Ciitheroe Parish Church and is entitled “New Life”.


23


RIVER SCENE: This pho­ to by Graham Wilkinson captures Whitewell.


STUNNING: This photo by Craig Coieran was taken over York village and is an example of the farming iife within the Ribble Valley. It is called “The final itching post”.


can post entries to The Ciitheroe Advertiser and Times, 3 King Street, Ciitheroe, Lancs, BB7 2EW.


iN THE COUNTRY: This photo by Graham Wilkin­ son captures a country scene near Chipping.


Carpet P a d i h a m j _


SKY AND FLOWERS: Another photo by Graham Wilkinson captures a scene near Chipping.


BEAUTY: Photo by Maggie Har­ vey taken of the fields around Dunsop Bridge.


lathing"Di ¥i : #De buitf|tiKeiB^st in...


Carpets | Roll ends | Rugs Laminates | Wood | Vinyls


Padiham Carpet Mill SUPPLIERS OF ALL TYPES OF CONTRACT SAFETY FLOORING & DOMESTIC FLOORING


Huge Discounts Available Car Parks to Front & Rear | Kiddies Piay Area


COUNTRY ROAD: THIS photo by Phil WINTER SCENE: This photo by Ray Burgess was taken at Mitton Road, Halfpenny shows Pendle Hill taken Great Mitton.


from near Stonyhurst. (s)


Dmanni i Mill Lune Street?'fedihamji.BB12‘8DG';0^ j I’-- , 0 1 2 8 2 , 7 7 4 1 5 7 4 iTlV.co’.uk ;


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25