Sunday sunshine and scones…..

…. in the heart of the Ribble Valley, scene of one of my earlier dates with disaster…..an evening  cycle ride with much screaming, stomping and walking up hills…..but yesterday in glorious autumn sunshine  we revisited some of the scenes of torture and found them gentler, more forgiving and ultimately more enjoyable.

It was a last minute spontaneous decision to continue the Sunday cycle, all week the forecast had been such that the building of an ark would have been an appropriate activity,  this coupled with family visits, bonfires and some work related stress  meant that the usual military like planning was out of the window. But sometimes the unexpected gives the most pleasure, and the whole afternoon was one of unexpected treats culminating in  a splendid afternoon tea at the wonderfully extended Bashall Barn.  Here we revisited the traditional war cry of  ‘we’ve earned it’ and tucked in reasoning that we needed fuel for the return hills and there would not be time to eat before setting off for an evening bonfire party.

The Barn is a treasure trove of good food, magnificent ice cream, sensational gifts  and as long as you know the difference between and heifer and a bullock you will find your way to some splendid toilet facilities. Its position also provides a magnificent view of the Ribble Valley, and Pendle Hill which yesterday was basking  serenely in the afternoon sunshine.  Our visit there rounded off a two hour cycle ride taking in some of  England’s most amazing countryside. As we pedaled we  met a variety of characters, cheerful walkers weilding their walking poles like Fred Astaire with a cane , lycra warriors powering past, head down and eyes fixed forward and cycling families  where the children pedalled faster than the adults.  We were accompanied for a long stretch by a spritly pedalling pensioner straight from Last of the Summer Wine who regaled me with his life story until we lost him at a complicated crossroad. Without exception everyone was smiling, reflecting the glories of the autumn day and even the cars seemed less inclined to push us into the ditches or maybe we’re just more confident,  we can now even do our hand signals without wobbling all over the road, though mastering drinking (from a water bottle!) and riding is still an elusive skill.

A speedy turn around at the end of the ride and we were off again to a fellow Cycletta survivor’s  evening bonfire and firework party where the food included our winning John Bury Trust  Beef and Marmite sausages which went down a storm. A  firework display to rival Sydney at New Year provided a fitting end to a Super Sunday incorporating all the elements of our recent cycling and charity fund raising adventures… sunshine, scones, sausages, and above all great friendship and fun now with a new addition….. fireworks.

 

 

 

 

The sizzle’s still there…..

This time last week the sisterhood of sweat and scones and associated supporters were celebrating our triumph in the Cycletta. Today a ride to has been cancelled due to lashing rain and high winds, and maybe a touch of wimpishness coupled with the feeling that we can relax our efforts as the task was complete. But it’s not, the cycling was the means to an end, to help raise funds for our local charity to help young people in Blackburn with Darwen and the demands on our limited funds will not diminish, if anything we anticipate an increase as austerity bites.

All charities are searching for new and innovative ways to raise funds and the trustees of The John Bury Trust are no exception, and one of our more eagle-eyed members spotted a local  competition to come up with a new recipe for a sausage which would be sold for a month with a proportion  of the cost per kilo going to the winning charity.  Now as you will have guessed food is never far from our thoughts and this was a challenge not to be missed.  My own contribution  was strangely overlooked and failed to be submitted.  In my defence I received notification of the competition whilst perusing the stalls of the Sunday market in Isle sur Sorges in Provence and just happened to be standing by a sausage stall. Fortunately the donkeys of  Lancashire have remained safe and our submission was the daring Beef and Marmite variety.  Unsurprisingly we received  swift notification that this tantalising combination which will engender both love and hate in equal measures was not only the winner for the month but was in production and out on the wonderful Dales Butchers stall in Blackburn Market.

Our joy was unbounded and trustees are already filling fridges, freezers and frying pans with the beautiful bangers safe in the knowledge that with every sizzle heard across Lancashire more funds are being raised to provide much needed assistance to some who need it most.  We are determined that these limited edition delicacies will grace as many tables as possible  whilst they are on sale and so trustees have submitted to a variety of photo opportunities involving sausages,  forks and poses which may not be suitable for family publications. There may be a caption competition when the official photograph appears in the Lancashire Telegraph though entries may have to be censored if initial comments are anything to go by.

So our cycling fundraising may have ended for now – though the pedalling will continue and new  sponsorship opportunities will I am sure present themselves, a humble sausage has presented us with the perfect opportunity to maintain fundraising momentum.  We are aware as trustees that there are constant calls on people from all corners and causes these days and that disposable income is limited for everyone.  We also know that we could become dispirited and take our foot off the pedals physically and metaphorically.   The Dales Butchers Beef and Marmite sausages sizzling in pans of  supporters and those who may never have heard of the John Bury Trust are not only providing bodily nourishment but nurturing our commitment to the cause and keeping us on track to ensure our future efforts have more than a touch of sizzle about them to entice our supporters to great events which leave them fully satisfied.

Please visit Dales stall on Blackburn Market this month 50p for every Kilo of Beef and Marmite Sausages sold will go to The John Bury Trust.  We are still recieivng Cycletta sponsorship at http://www.justgiving.com/cycletta