Where to start, oh where to start… Let’s go with The Man from the Ministry by James JD Mitchell – a novel based very much on Mitchell’s family’s life during the 2nd World War. As one who has written extensively about the war, though born after it, I had no idea that a man from the Ministry could turn up at the door of a journeyman’s farming family and order them to move to a different but designated farm – just like that. But he could because the shortage of farmhands meant that the Government had to intervene in order to provide as much food as possible for the population. This meant targets for farmers, and, of course, workers to make this possible.
The Man from the Ministry tells the story of the lives of an ordinary and large faming family who travelled the south west of England in the service of the many grand estates who owned most of the farms at that time. Written in the first person, and in an honest committed style, this is a book that fascinates and resonates in its portrayal of a large almost itinerent family, the pressures it brings, the sense of the seasons, the countryside, the closeness of siblings.
Let’s stick with nostalgia and Richard Littlejohn’s Littlejohn’s Lost world. Those familiar with Littlejohn’s column in the Mail will expect a delicious and funny turn of phrase when considering serious matters. They are not to be disappointed. Born when wartime rationing was still in force (not to be finished until the mid 50s) a world where children ran about freely with friends in the streets, we accompany Littlejohn into his parents’ past, and are with him as he remembers and revisits his own. He found it changed, gone even. I know the feeling because I tried to find the house where I spent many happy childhood years, including the huge, then, pear tree I would climb. All gone, or so changed I couldn’t recognise anywhere, not even the beck where we fished for minnows with jam jars on strings, ate our jam sandwiches, with a bottle of pop to share. As I read I laughed, remembered, grew thoughtful. It’s a funny poignant read. It is a pleasure.
Finally, one of my favourite Australian authors, Peter Temple writing of one of my favourite characters: Jack Irish, in a thriller called White Dog. What can I say? From the backdrop of the Old Boy Fitzroy supporters in the local, and the horse racing trio, to the action: Jack Irish, ex lawyer, is asked to look into Sarah Longmore’s defence he’s happy to do so, after all, when somone as guilty as Sarah appears, it’s bound to be cut and dried. Oh… Oh… read it and discover that all is not as it seems, and best of all, the crime thriller is delivered in Temple’s crisp funny turn of phrase, which when required has the power to move the heart, crack it even.
‘Let’s go to the panto,’ some of the crazier of the Frost Magazine team said. So off they went, tum tum tumpetty tump, and why not when their Drama Critic, Paul Vates was causing mayhem as one of the two Ugly Sisters at the Elgiva Theatre’s production of Cinderella in Chesham Oh no, he wasn’t, oh yes he was.
Oh what a riot, what a joy… There we were sitting in the 2nd row, with our Christmas jumpers on throughout, laughing, booing, trying to catch the toilet rolls (tell you later) shouting he’s behind you – good grief how could they not see the gorilla??! Sometimes we wondered if we should have borrowed a child to fit in a bit better, but why not be a kid again? As our Medical Correspondent, Dr Kathleen Thompson, said to our editor, ‘You behave like a child most of the time, so why change the habits of a lifetime.’ ‘Well, I’m most certainly do not,’ our editor retorted, sticking out her tongue, to which our Medical Correspondent stuck her thumbs in her ears, waggled her fingers, and then she, yes she did, she stuck out her tongue until Dick who tends to keep them in line, told them both to stop talking – NOW or there would be no ice creams. So on with the show…
Let’s kick off with the lovely Fairy Godmother who did what Fairy Godmothers do – make all things better. Nicki French, ladies and gents, is superb: a lovely voice, such a twinkle, and who wouldn’t remember her Total Eclipse of the Heart which topped the charts around the world. Oh how lucky we were to see her in Chesham.
Prince Charming, aka Adam Pritchard made a great panto debut. What a voice – our editor who cries when moved, almost did… Around the team the children listened, transfixed. Of course, Adam is trained in musical theatre performance so we should not be surprised.
Dandini, the aide de camp, played by Callum Stephenson, says he is thrilled to be entertaining you all this Christmas, and let me tell you, he does this most ably.
Chris Edgerley whose blue eyes played havoc with the Frost Magazine team played Buttons and was so funny, and of course, loyal to Cinders. Good grief, he was even pleased for Cinders when she found her Prince though he probably wanted to kick the Prince’s shins. His performance was probably not far distant to presenting his hit children’s TV Show Hi-5 which aired on CiTV/ITV4/Cartoonito/and Boomerang Channels for many years. Chris loves Panto and we LOVE him, so very there.
Cinders was played by the glorious Laura Bazely with the 100 watt smile, swishing and twirling in her rags (wonderful costumes ElgivaTheatre, simply fantastic) and how we longed for her Prince to come, and the Uglies to get their comeuppance. Boo, boo. Laura sings like an angel too, no wonder she previously won a “Best Principle Girl” award as Princess Beauty. And now onto the rascals of the production: Boo Hiss.
The Baroness was played to perfection by Gemma Brodrick who owned the panto stage, frankly, when she was being the worst she could be. But having come fresh from the 2023 UK tour of Blood Brothers (Margaret cried at that too) we weren’t surprised.
On to the Ugly Sisters, Tess and Claudia, played by Paul Vates and Alexander Smith absolutely blasted it. Paul was as extravagantly and appallingly attired as Alexander and these two kept up the pace of the show until the final curtain, and had us roaring with laughter as they coaxed all the right responses from us, not necessarily in the right order! Absolutely fantastic, I’m laughing as I write this.
Paul Vates has, over the years, done an awful lot of theatre, television, voiceovers and comedy. As a playwright, his last work – Voltemand and Cornelius are Joyfully Returned – won the prestigious People’s Play Award at the People’s Theatre in Newcastle. Dr Kathleen Thompson and Margaret were at the launch, and were so proud. He is currently working on a new project. It all sounds very serious, but heavens, he can mince and pinch bums with the best, and throws toilet rolls like a man possessed.
Alexander who ran away to theatre as a child(!? ) Really? is thrilled to be returning to panto this year, having had a most wicked time as Abanazar in Aladdin last year at the Princess Theatre, Torquay. Was it there he learned to flounce and stamp about in the required most awfully over the top manner? Thanks heavens for it.
Then the gorilla… Oh my… such a classic panto moment, quintessentially British and ridiculous as the gorilla comes along behind the line up, the audience screams ‘He’s behind you,’ again and again, and no-one in the line up sees the gorilla, until it is too late. How hoarse we all became.
Ah yes, the toilet rolls. A version of the Twelve days of Christmas, ‘my true love gave to me’. On the 5th day it is toilet rolls, which end up winging out across the audience, only to land, to be thrown back, unrolling as they go, and again, and again. The Andrex dog would have loved every minute, but not as much as the audience at the Elgiva.
Did the Frost Team enjoy it? Oh, that’s not quite the word: you see, we realised we truly had never grown up, and neither had any of the adults in the audience. What a triumph, what fun, what pace and what on earth has happened to our voices – they are almost gone after so much joining in, so many boos, so many warning shouts, so much hysteria. But what else should we expect at a pantomime, but are frequently disappointed. Not this time though!
We loved it, and the dancers, led by Molly Mae, were the icing on the top. All such a cornucopia of delights…Book now, it’s on until the end of December. https://elgiva.com/book-a-show/theatre/ Images courtesy of Caroline Taylor.
We loved Peppersmith. Delicious and unhealthy; they are the perfect snack.
Naturally tasty, feel good treats. Peppersmith Mints, Gum and Pastilles are bursting with 100% natural flavours and thoughtfully sourced ingredients that are actively good for you.
From zingy Lemon Mints and Strawberry Pastilles to refreshing Peppermint Mints and Gum, the natural flavours include peppermint and spearmint oils, explosive eucalyptus, Sicilian lemons and delicious strawberries, giving you banging flavour, freshening up your breath and caring for your dental health all in one!
All Peppersmith products are sugar free, gluten free, vegan friendly, free from palm oil and nut free – and because they contain xylitol, which contains a whopping 40% fewer calories than sugar, they’re guilt-free and great for anyone with wobbly blood sugars too.
There are six different flavours to choose from, including Peppermint Mints and Gum, Spearmint Gum, Extra Strong Mints, Sicilian Lemon Mints and Strawberry Pastilles. Plus the Peppermint Mints and both flavours of Gum come in Mighty Boxes too – freshness to the max.
And if you can’t decide which to pick, there’s a totally tantalising mixed taster box bursting with all of the flavours. The perfect way to taste what all the fuss is about.
Peppersmith Mints, Gum and Pastilles cost from £1.30 (15g gum, Ocado) and are available from health shops and supermarkets nationwide, including Holland & Barrett, Waitrose and Sainsbury’s. Mighty Boxes and mixed taster boxes are also available online from www.peppersmith.co.uk
SAY CHEESE… 5 SMILE FACTS YOU MAYBE DIDN’T KNOW
Half of British adults hate their smile because of the condition of their teeth, and a majority have been affected by “Posh Spice Syndrome,” which occurs when a person is considered miserable because they smile so sparingly.
The sweetener Xylitol has been proven to help reduce tooth decay. It can stunt bacterial growth by up to 90%, so not only does it neutralise the acid in your mouth but also prevents them from starting in the first place, making it extremely hard for plaque to stick to your teeth.
The NHS could save £8.2 million a year on dental treatments – the equivalent of 364,000 dental check-ups – if all 12-year-olds across the UK were to chew sugar-free gum after eating or drinking, thanks to the role it plays in helping to prevent tooth decay.
It is estimated that three quarters of the British population chew gum regularly. They buy 980 million packs a year, and spit out more than 3.5bn pieces.
Smiling enhances positive emotions. Everyone has both positive and negative emotions swimming around in their heads. When you choose to smile and laugh often, you tap into your positive emotions.
All the more reason to say cheese whenever you can!
Lovely Marion, not long back from Texas where she and Red Shoes Bob trotted to see her glorious little great grand-baby has sent a Christmas update, which Frost Magazine was thrilled to receive.
‘I can’t believe how busy we are, people wanting to use our facilities and of course we accommodate wherever possible but sadly, there are not enough days in the week. Our community centre is now on the tip of everyone’s tongue, what with our U-tube pod cast, Gento video which has promoted interest from SPARK a local radio station. We do believe that the wonderful Margaret Graham and Frost Magazine has had an immense impact on our popularity, we will be eternally grateful for the support and encouragement we received and still receiving from you all.
Our September MacMillan Cancer Support coffee morning went fantastically well with £400 raised and banked, cakes were donated and auctioned off, all had an amazing day. Early October we had a visit from Patrick Mella, CEO of Sunderland City Council who was very complimentary about our centre and added that it had a lovely feel about it. He was extremely interested in the service we provide and the courses that are taking place and was tickled pink when we told him about our fun prize bingo. Out of courtesy we invited him along to join in. On October 17th, the CCA received a response to our letter from Buckingham Palace for which we are cock a hoop. The King was particularly interested in the restoration of the 1939 GR brass door handles. His Majesty was most grateful that we took the time to write to him and share our community project.
Halloween Quiz Night, hot beef dips, hot dogs and onion was the chosen menu for the evening. I devised a 50 question Halloween quiz; Google helped me a lot. Fancy dress is optional, what a fun night. The tickets sold like hot cakes. Never a dull moment, massive tree at the side of the building that no one wishes to take responsibility for though it was encroaching on our wires. We rang the National Grid to explain the circumstances, low and behold their response was amazing, they were with us in no time at all and a Cherry Picker arrived to sort out the problem. Still some bits and bobs to tackle in relation to the refurbishment but this is all in hand.
November: saw Bob and me jetting off to meet Duke, our great grandson in Texas who may I hasten to add is just the most adorable little human being on this planet. On our return we put the Christmas trees up, what a massive difference a year makes. Celebrations galore, the wonderful Edith Bradley donated a Christmas Hamper to the value of £100 and this was won by Jean Moody one of our bingo ladies and ticket sales reached £300.
We thought it only fitting to take a group of our loyal supporters out to Christmas lunch, a little gift of a scratch card was very productive with about ten tickets winning a prize. Of course, Bob – yes that him with the red shoes was chosen to receive the certificate of being on Santas “Nice List”
Friday 22nd December is our Christmas Quiz Day, Turkey and stuffing sandwiches or ham and Pease pudding if you prefer plus, an array of cakes, sweets, nuts, you name it, we have it.
All in all, this has been an amazing year, a wonderful donation came in from the local ladies darts team for which we are extremely grateful. Nothing can ever compare to the joy of seeing our community flourish, and know that people just love coming here and to be able to tell them that we love to have them. From all here at Columbia Community Association, we hope that this Christmas brings you much joy and happiness, and may your New Year be merry and bright.
Thank you all for being such good friends and taking the CCA to your hearts.’
I would be the first to admit that the humble chickpea has every reason to remain humble, and equally that it is hard to get over excited about Hummus.
And yet Truffle Hummus is a marriage made in heaven that rewrites the rules. If you are trying to eat healthier this, and their new snack pot, could be for you. Personally, I will be buying in a supply of Truffle Hummus for Christmas, as I like show off my latest finds over the holiday period. I know I should get out more, but it has become expected of me, that I will have those tasty treats unknown to most.
As a vegetarian I may well add this to my vegetable Wellington, the centrepiece of Christmas lunch, especially as it is also suitable for vegans, and I am sure that it will make an appearance, as a part of my Boxing Day Buffet.
Quite often foods advertised as ‘Truffle’ have very little truffle taste, so that one wonders why they bothered, but with this the taste of truffle is sufficiently strong, yet well balanced, with the Hummus to tickle the most tired of tastebuds. The texture is velvety smooth, and the truffle comes through to the last mouthful.
In true ChicP fashion, the Truffle Hummus follows suit of the core range by using surplus vegetables, whole foods and locally sourced produce where possible. All ChicP products are 100% natural, rich in protein, fibre and healthy fats, completely free from additives and suitable for vegans.
Not content with this alchemy ChicP has come up with a UK first.An ambient snack-pack of ChicP’s velvety hummus and breadsticks. It has a 12 month shelf life and requires no refrigeration. The packaging alone took seven months to design to ensure the hummus stayed at the highest quality without the need for chilling and to keep its shelf-life long. So, people can pop the snack pack in their bag, perfect for travellers, commuters, families on-the-go or those who love to stay active – hiking, camping, cycling etc. It’s high fibre+high protein but low fat, sugar and salt.
Like a healthy hummus Dairylea Dunker has just launched on Amazon and I suspect will be a boon to parents making up a healthy lunch box and office workers who would prefer to snack without resorting to junk food.
ChicP Truffle Hummus is stocked in Ocado, Planet Organic and 21 Selected Booths Stores – Burscough, Clitheroe, Garstang, Hale Barns, Hesketh Bank, Ilkley, Kendal, Keswick, Knutsford, Longridge, Longton, Lytham, New Poulton, Penrith, Penwortham, Ripon, Scotforth, Settle, St Annes, Ulverston and Windermere or online at chicp.co.uk
A few of the Frost Magazine team decided to sit themselves down to a bit of a lunch break to try what they had been told were the most delicious pheasant burgers, created by Frank Butchers in Thirsk. Editor, Margaret Graham, lives there, and takes her food very seriously, oh yes she does.
But what to drink with the pheasant burgers? Ho hum. Well, Margaret had been sent the Greasy Fingers luscious red so yes, she bagsied that though it was pointed out firmly, by the team, that it must be shared. Others chose the Buttery Chardonnay. Both wines are tailored for accompaniment to indulgent but casual greasy burgers, or any casual food really.
First they laughed and laughed because the screw tops show greasy drips – do look closely, which totally set the mood, down went the shoulders, work was forgotten. The chosen few were off, eager to taste both the burgers and the wine. The pheasant burgers were delicious and just that little bit different, but not greasy, of course. ‘Top quality, and original,’ came the cry.
The wine? Ah, the Greasy Fingers wine… What an adventure, from the innovative screw top bottles and their no fuss labels which truly set the mood, to the wine. How did each work with the burgers?
Margaret thoroughly enjoyed the Greasy Fingers Luscious Red 2022. A medium-bodied blend of Shiraz and Grenache, featuring luscious cherry and strawberry notes with soft, approachable tannins. It was beautifully velvetty, and is said to be great with a good cheeseburger or buttermilk fried chicken. But what did the Frost Magazine team say: try it with pheasant burgers too – a sublime coupling, a match made in heaven.
And the Big Buttery Chardonnay? Margaret of course had to taste it, and agreed with the team that there were hints of peach, vanilla, and cinnamon spice, with a deep buttery feel. It is a soft wine, ripe and oaky with lower acidity making it the ideal match with portobello mushroom burgers or lighter meat. It would also suit the pheasant burgers. I know I’m going on, but one has to face the facts.
The team feel that, in a world where wine consumption among the under 34s is dwindling, this hoot of wine packaging, together with the quality of the wine must surely appeal to those unaware of the sheer delight of a casual wine, with casual food. Come on, Gen Z, give it a try. Margaret knows she doesn’t have to encourage the existing wine ‘enjoyers’ amongst Frost Magazine’s readers. They’ll be out at the supermarkets or ordering through Amazon or Ocado tomorrow.
Just read what Lucy Bearman, Wine & Champagne Portfolio Director for Pernod Ricard UK had to say: “With Greasy Fingers, we’re returning to the heart of wine, which is pairing it with food, but in a way that resonates with the next generation of wine drinkers who adore gourmet fast food**. We know that over a third of wine occasions centre around indulgent moments*** and we’re making that possible for everyone with this fresh and innovative wine launch.”
Greasy Fingers is available now in Sainsbury’s, Asda, and Morrisons, with e-commerce options through Ocado and Amazon.
I would like to begin with an apology, because the opera on which this review is based was fabulous but, unfortunately, if you haven’t seen it already then you have probably missed it. Keep reading, though, because there is still the rest of the programme to enjoy.
Florencia en el Amazonas by Daniel Catan – taking its reference from the works of Gabriel Garci Marquez, is sung in Spanish, and is a treat for the eyes as well as the ears. The puzzle is, if this beguiling opera first appeared in 1996, how has it passed me by? The singing is sublime and successfully marries first class puppetry and ballet; comedy and pathos. The scenery and puppetry immediately transport one to a tropical rainforest complete with animals: a monkey, a shoal of piranha fish, a crocodile are just some of the characters we meet on this journey up the Amazon, which rather contrasts with the miserable weather conditions that greeted my arrival at the cinema.
Miserable conditions in New York? Nope, for rather than crossing the Atlantic, I enjoyed this at my local cinema but that is the whole purpose of live streamed performances, of which Live from the Met is one of the best.
I would not pretend that the cinema experience is the same as sitting in the Met (or the Royal Opera House or La Scala). However, for the price of a cinema ticket around £18.00, you can feel as though you are sitting in the orchestra stalls or even on the stage itself. As you take your seat the audience in New York are taking theirs, and when the lights dim, that same feeling of anticipation manifests itself on a cold rainy December evening in the UK.
I had been invited to review three operas, and whilst making my selection I discovered another advantage. Thanks to the low cost and the proximity of the cinema to home, one can afford to be a little adventurous. My first selection was first staged at the Metropolitan Opera House 10 years ago so, I thought, if this was going to be revisited it must have merit. My second choice, the aforementioned ‘Florencia en al Amazonas’ was an opera completely unknown to me, but I could afford to take a chance, which is a luxury I can’t permit myself when the tickets are around the £200 mark. If priced lower, I am invariably sat somewhere close to the roof. (Please note this is not a criticism of the cost of tickets for the opera. When you see what is involved it represents value for money but is not an amount that I am willing to risk on an unheard-of (to me) opera.)
So, if you get the opportunity to experience, ‘Florencia en al Amazonas’ snap it up. Believe me, you will not regret treating yourself to a ticket. If, however, you are kicking yourself for missing this gem, check out what operas are still to be beamed live into a cinema near you.
The next opportunity to enjoy a ‘Live from the Met’ performance is on January 6th and it is the classic Verdi’s ‘Nabucco‘, an opera I last saw in Verona, I know it is one I will hugely enjoy – just as well it’s not too long a wait.
A new investigation reveals product labels fail to disclose actual aspartame percentages, hindering consumers from monitoring intake.
The study reveals which products most commonly contain the controversial sweetener, with chewing gum, yoghurt and fizzy drinks all being prone.
Certified nutritionist weighs in on why more transparency around aspartame contents is crucial, due to additive’s concerning effects.
A new study has investigated the true aspartame content in everyday household food and drink items. The findings raise concerns about the lack of transparency surrounding the presence of aspartame in commonly consumed products.
Data analysts at naturally-infused water brand, DASH Water, conducted an analysis of products from one of the UK’s largest supermarkets to investigate the use of the artificial sweetener.
Despite the widespread use of aspartame, the study underscored a significant issue – products do not disclose the percentage of aspartame included. This lack of transparency exacerbates the problem, as consumers are left in the dark about their aspartame intake, making it difficult to monitor and potentially leading to overconsumption. Without knowing the exact content in popular products, consumers face challenges in making informed decisions about their dietary choices.
While the exact percentages of aspartame are unclear, the findings did reveal the products that most commonly contain the additive. It was found that 100% of chewing gum products contain aspartame. In other food categories, 40% of jelly products, 17% of low-fat/fat-free yoghurts, and 9% of mints contain this artificial sweetener. Even immune support vitamins and supplements, crucial for health-conscious consumers, were not immune, with aspartame found in almost 1 in 10 products.
Turning attention to beverages, the results were equally concerning. Almost 3 in 5 sugar-free fizzy drinks, and nearly 1 in 5 sugar-free squash and cordial drinks contained undisclosed amounts of aspartame.
Qualified and clinically trained nutritionist, Lara Buckle, The Wellness Detective, calls for more transparency around aspartame content:
“It is essential to understand the potential effects of aspartame overconsumption on the human body and why moderation is crucial. Aspartame, a low-calorie artificial sweetener, is widely used as a sugar substitute in various diet and low-calorie products. While regulatory agencies like the FDA consider it safe for consumption, concerns persist. Overindulgence in aspartame can lead to adverse outcomes.
Metabolically, aspartame has been linked to disruptions in calorie intake regulation and blood sugar, contributing to insulin resistance, a precursor to type 2 diabetes. Emerging research also indicates that artificial sweeteners, including aspartame, may affect the composition of gut microbiota, which can have far-reaching consequences on metabolism and overall health. Moreover, individuals sensitive to aspartame can experience adverse reactions such as headaches and migraines. While such sensitivity is not common, it underscores the need for individualised dietary choices and moderation.
Over-reliance on aspartame can alter taste preferences, potentially diminishing the appeal of naturally sweet and nutritious foods. Lastly, it can create a psychological effect where individuals feel they can compensate for reduced calorie intake by making poor food choices elsewhere in their diet.
To maintain a balanced and nutritionally sound eating pattern, it is vital to moderate aspartame consumption and prioritise whole, unprocessed foods whenever possible. While aspartame can be a valuable tool for those managing their sugar and calorie intake, a well-rounded diet remains the cornerstone of good nutrition.”
The absence of detailed information on aspartame content poses challenges for consumers striving to monitor their intake. Our findings underscore the need for greater transparency and disclosure in the food and beverage industry to empower consumers to make informed choices about their dietary preferences.
