August 4th, 2021
WE’VE LANDED IN LYDDINGTON!
Well, here we are, ensconced in our new home in the charming village of Lyddington in Rutland. It’s all very different to the scene at the Old Chapel in Bampton back in Cumbria but certainly no less appealing in its own special way.
We are at the bottom of the hill on the main street of the village, it’s less of a street and more a long string of lovely honey-gold ironstone houses, with a picture-perfect village green half way down, two excellent pubs and a village hall in what was formerly the old school, one of the prettiest village halls I’ve seen.
Special mention must be made of the lovely church of St Andrew. In the summer, the church hosts a season of concerts in a glorious setting.
Beside the church is Lyddington Bede House, which originated as a wing of a mediaeval palace belonging to the Bishops of Lincoln. The wing is all that remains of the Bishops’ palace which was destroyed by Henry VIII during the Dissolution of the Monasteries. By 1600 the Bede House had passed to Sir William Cecil, son of Queen Elizabeth I’s chief minister, who converted it into an almshouse for twelve poor ‘bedesmen’ over 30 years of age and two women over 45, all free of lunacy, leprosy and the French pox! Visitors can wander through the rooms in the Bede house and in the walled orchard in which the bedesmen would grow fruit and vegetables. It really is an atmospheric spot.
In this peaceful, historic and extremely friendly place, we are ready to start up again, this time we are supporting the Rutland Foodbank initiatives through the sale of our marmalades, jams and pickles.
Over the last few months, I’ve had plenty of time to get the jam pans out. It’s been a very difficult 18 months or so for everyone, but things are on the up, perhaps a good reason to treat yourself to a few jars of something to brighten up your breakfast, add a little luxury to your afternoon scone or to liven up your pork pie and cheeseboard…
Look forward to hearing from you.