Friendly Lunch, Sat 13 December ~ by Max d'Ayala
It was a wet and miserable day outside, but the atmosphere inside the bright and spacious new Orchard Rooms couldn't have been better. The Food was superb, one of the best selections I think I have ever seen or tasted. Leslie had made her soups and bread as usual (to everyone's relief!) plus a large pot of gravy for the main course as well. Peter had (once again!) left the roast potatoes cooking in his oven at home which explains why he was leaving just as I arrived.
Our Chairman told us how old friends long out of touch with each other had been able to get back in contact after finding information about us on our web site. We celebrated Joyce's 93rd year as a Vegetarian and were treated to her magical reappearance during the raffle as our Fairy Godmother. Blessings and Christmas Cheer were bestowed upon everyone. After some technical hitches we were treated to some of Peter's home videos of outings from last year, with the prospect of seeing the remainder at a future meeting.
Pictured above: Inside the main Orchard Room; I counted 27 members and guests in attendance. Second helpings of dessert were available if you still had room. John in control of the raffle. This is before everyone discovers that the kitchen scales are in fact a part of the raffle and they had missed their chance to take them! To prevent a riot a second mini-raffle is held to find out who gets to have them for Christmas.
(Left) Our Fairy Godmother weaves her Christmas magic.
The new Orchard Rooms at Mangreen, including the organic farm shop and charity shop.
The apple orchard is now a bit smaller because this building is a bit bigger than the previous one.
There are still a few Granny Smiths on one of the trees if you look closely.
Friendly Lunch, Sat 18 October ~ by Peter Smith
22 Members gathered for our first 'Friendly Lunch' of the new season.The new 'Orchard Rooms' are superb, not completely finished yet, but all agreed a wonderful new building to hold future meetings in. Congratulations to all concerned in this project that apparently has had quite a few setbacks, but by being positive it is all coming together.
Organic Garden Open Day ~ by Jane Johnson
Wolterton, 21st September 2003
A glorious day for this event which was most enjoyable and interesting. The sun shone and it was really hot, just perfect garden weather!
Several of our members called by the stall and we had a really good position where everyone visiting had to walk past us. Also, as we did not have the banner to put across the stall, most everyone came over to us to find out what it was all about! A tip to remember for the future. People were also very interested in our little motorhome so this was a good introduction too.
We talked to many interesting people and gave away lots of literature as usual. A very heavy demand for recipes was supplemented by the fact that I had quite a few veg*n cookbooks in the van for reference and I scribbled out copies, even selling a few of the books to desperate buyers!
We met several people who were looking for information because they had been put on a vegan diet by their doctors, which was good news and most surprising. Generally they were people with health problems but it came as a very pleasant surprise to hear that the medical profession were at last beginning to acknowledge the many benefits of our diet.
The garden looked lovely in it's late summer colours and the huge pile of marrows, pumpkins and squashes outside ripening off looked magnificent.
We are looking forward to next year already!
National Vegan Festival ~ by Peter Smith
(Sunday 12 September 2003, Conway Hall, London)
Nine N.V.V.S members and four visitors met at Mangreen at 07-30hrs for the trip to the National Vegan Festival in London. The weather started off cool but bright with a promise of a glorious day to come. We were not disappointed with the weather or the excitement of the day.
Stalls covering the whole spectrum of Vegan and Vegetarian beliefs abounded. The smell of cooked food filled the air and even if you were not hungry you just had to sample something. At 16-30 hrs the weary visitors decided it was time to hit the trail for home and so headed for the mini bus. Our grateful thanks to Lee for organising the event and driving the mini bus.
Have a look at the group picture.
The Winterton Walk ~ by Peter Smith
Saturday 16th August started off with bright sunshine and a refreshing breeze, much cooler than of late, but very pleasant.
Eight members, four non-members, and four dogs! congregated on the car park at Winterton at the appointed time (more or less) to enjoy a day of congenial friendship, a picnic, and a walk along the beach and through the dunes.
The picnic was somewhat disturbed at times by four over enthusiastic dogs who seemed to enjoy chasing each other and rushing through the picnic area.
With the food and drink finally devoured and everybody suitably refreshed a walk along the beach was agreed upon with a return walk through the dunes.
Alan, Max and Maureen delighted in paddling in one of the pools left by the receding tide, whilst one of the dogs was rushing into the breakers and barking at the sea. I could not but help think of King Canute who tried unsuccessfully to hold back the sea.
The party eventually struggled up a steep sandy slope to get to the dunes, and enjoyed a stroll through the dunes stopping occasionally to admire the patches of heather and occasional groups of miniature scabious type flowers. Ann Kar's two granddaughters climbed a viewing pole whilst Ann stood very nervously at the bottom hardly daring to observe their bravado and youthful vitality.
A very enjoyable day was had by all. As we said our goodbyes at approximately 4pm Max and his friend Sally decided to go to the beach, (they said to fly a kite?) but Alan and I saw them frolicking in the surf and we have some footage to prove it! [Had you not forgotten your swimming costumes no doubt you would both have joined us?! It was very refreshing, although the shingle was a bit sharp and I ended up with several cuts to my feet and hands. Max]
Picture Gallery
A selection of pictures from some of the visits this summer.
The picture on the left was taken at the Priory Maze in Sheringham.
More pictures
Sheringham, Sunday July 20 ~ by Ann Kar
12 NVVS members (including our President) and 3 visitors met
up on this brilliant sunny day for a picnic lunch at the Priory Gardens in
Sheringham. The picnic was followed by exploration of the maze and a wander
through the really beautiful gardens. In addition to the spectacular
hornbeam and copper beech maze, there is a Christmas tree maze (not so
difficult to escape from), also wildflower meadow, grass beds, ponds and
stream surrounded by a variety of plants, both wild and domestic, a herb bed
and many other attractions. Very well worth a visit. For details of opening
times etc. ring 01263 822986.
The whole group was then invited to tea with Jane and John Johnson, and were treated to coffee, tea and cake in their pleasant garden in St Austin's Grove. Many thanks to them for this, also to Peter Smith for fetching Joyce from Kirby Cane and returning her safely home.
Hillside Visit ~ by Ann Kar
Seven members plus a number of relatives visited Hillside Animal Sanctuary
on Sunday 29 June. A wheelchair was provided for our President, who tells us
she has been made Patron of the Pigs as a reward for financial aid. We were
once again blessed in having excellent weather. The animals looked, as
always, happy, immaculate and well cared-for, with plenty of space to move
around in. All refreshments at the sanctuary are free of animal products,
demonstrating how a number of delicious items, including ice-cream, can be
produced in this way.
80th Birthday
Joyce held a get-together on Tuesday 24th June to celebrate
Donald Crump's 80th birthday and reports back as follows;
We had a lovely time yesterday and the sun was on our side.
David looks young for his 80 years and Stella helped with her unique combination of Vegetarian foods. There were two past treasurers present - David and Lorna Horsford. David did a wonderful job in getting the Society on its feet financially.
I am sorry I could not be at Fairhaven at the weekend. I love going there but of course the walking is at present beyond me.
The work for the creatures is still urgent, particularly as the transport of live animals across Europe is still continuing. It is very unkind to the creatures. Keep going everybody the cause of the creatures is as great as ever but, as far as I can tell, goodwill towards the creatures is spreading.
Visit to Fairhaven Gardens ~ by Ann Kar
Five members met up at Fairhaven Woodland and Water Gardens on Saturday June
21. An excellent way to spend time on a midsummer day. Beautiful
surroundings in beautiful weather. We made a tour of the park and had our
picnic lunch at tables by the Inner Broad, where we were entertained by
boats and ducks. A large selection of plants was on sale at reasonable
prices, but prices at the cafe were a bit steep.
Visit to Felbrigg Hall ~ by Ann Kar
Bank Holiday Monday, 26 May. Nine members met up at Felbrigg Hall, where the
craft fair and vintage car rally were in full swing. Excellent weather, so
we had our picnic lunch on the grass in the sun, then visited the church and
continued on a walk through meadows, round the lake, and back to the Hall
for a look through the secondhand books and a cup of tea in the refreshment
room. A very pleasant outing.
AGM, Saturday 5th March ~ by Max d'Ayala
The Treasurer and Secretary reported on a steady year in terms of balancing the books (£744 in the bank) and the number of members (61). In the absence of any new nominations the present Officers and Committee were re-elected unopposed.
Joyce thanked everyone for turning up and supporting events. People turned out in force for the first Friendly Lunch at this new venue and although numbers since then have been less all those attending had a happy time. Special thanks are due to Peter Smith for transporting Lesley and her mobile kitchen to each event. Joyce apologised if she appeared a bit tired but this was due to a lack of sleep as a result of one of her cats bringing in a live baby partridge during the night. It was taken back to the woods in the morning. Lastly, Joyce thanked everyone for keeping up their support to the vegetarian cause.
Lesley reported on the rebuilding of the Orchard Rooms at Mangreen. Most of the brickwork is now in place but progress is currently being held back due to problems with having special wooden doors made. With current estimates the building work should be completed around June; i.e. well before the Friendly Lunches restart in the autumn.
This year there have been some problems with getting people to run information stalls. The main events are usually not a problem and have good support from the public and with volunteers to help. If you would like to run the information stall at events then contact Jane. This would require collecting and setting up the stall in the morning, manning it throughout the day and then dismantling and returning the equipment. One possibility if you want to get involved is the Mind Body & Spirit Festival at St Gregory's Hall on 25/26/27 April.
National Vegetarian Week (19-25 May) is earlier this year. Contact Alicia if you would like to set up an information display in a local library or shop. The possibility of having a food and information stall in Cromer was discussed but enquiries have established that the proposed venue is not available on Saturdays. (Any good suggestions for alternatives to Jane.)
Ann provided everyone with a list of eleven possible venues for summer outings. These will be whittled down to the top five choices when Ann has received replies from those not present at the meeting. This is the full list: Felbrigg Hall, Hillside, Sheringham Priory, Alby Crafts, The Plantation Garden (Norwich), Bishop's House (Norwich), Winterton, Gressenhall (Museum), Blakeney Point, Fairhaven Gardens, and a trip on the Wherry Line to Lowestoft.
This year it is hoped to run a minibus or coach to the National Vegan Festival. Contact Lee if you would like to go. Booking in advance will be essential to make sure the hire costs of the vehicle are covered.
The Winter Programme of Friendly Lunches will resume at Mangreen from September. Expected dates are the second Saturday of each month. Most people seemed to be in favour of having after dinner speakers when one can be booked. If you know someone, or would like to give a talk yourself, please contact Jane. This year a recipe board may be set up so that people can share their recipes.
The Veggie newsletter was reduced from four to two issues this year. After some discussion it was unanimously agreed to return to producing four issues per year. The next issue is due at the end of May.
Subscriptions are to remain the same this year.
Website development has continued over the year. It has been regularly updated with news and changes to the diary, Joyce's History of the Society has been included, and currently the directory of shops is being worked on. There is a lack of information about places to stay, mainly because there aren't many that are vegetarian only. The limited information available will be added soon. If anyone is keen on producing original recipes these could also be added as a special feature. Recipes could be photographed, tasted and commented on at the Friendly Lunches. It would also be possible to produce a nutritional breakdown for the recipe. [If you want to write an article, or set up and maintain your own pages linked to the site, then let me know.]
The meeting finished with a delicious selection of cakes and tea. The Thorpe End Hall is an excellent venue and can be recommended to other groups looking for a meeting place.
March Friendly Lunch ~ by Ann Kar
March 1st: This was the last Friendly Lunch of the season. 17 members attended this time, bringing with them a careful balance of main course and dessert. We meet once more at Thorpe End, for the AGM on April 5 starting at 2.30pm. Please attend if you possibly can.
If you haven't been to a Friendly Lunch recently remember that the next lunch in March will be your final opportunity until the Autumn. This will be followed in April by the Annual General Meeting.
February Friendly Lunch ~ by Ann Kar
On Saturday February 8 we had the second Friendly Lunch of the year. Some 18 people attended, bringing with them the usual wonderful variety of dishes. It is remarkable how well the totally random choice of dishes normally works out. On this occasion, for perhaps the first time ever, there was an imbalance between the main course and the sweet, since as it happened only two members brought items for the dessert. However, nobody appeared greatly to regret this, since after soup and a great spread of savoury dishes there was little room left for a third course.
January Friendly Lunch ~ by Ann Kar
January 11 was a crisp sunny day and 16 members came for our monthly Friendly Lunch at St David's Church Hall. After a welcoming speech from our President, in which she wished us all a Good New Year, we settled down to enjoy Leslie's excellent soup followed by the usual delightful wide choice of dishes brought by other members. The raffle continues well. (There were a larger number of chocolate items included than usual. Unwanted Christmas presents?)
The hall is booked up to 4 o'clock, but we are tending to leave considerably earlier, since there has only been one after-lunch speaker since we started to meet at St. David's. Choice of speaker is limited by the lack of video etc., but suggestions for speakers who would not need any such apparatus would be welcome.
